Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are extreme or persistent and disrupt daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical issues out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times and there are many valid reasons for worrying about things like job responsibility and financial obligations, as well as health. When the worry becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience fears that have a profound effect on their lives and can be difficult to manage. They tend to anticipate the worst or assume that minor problems will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical issues, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can interfere with social and work activities. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.
Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved too.
Although there isn't a cure for GAD, the condition can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses a variety of therapies that help you identify and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of therapy that can help you control your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize however it is crucial to seek help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you reduce the physical and emotional symptoms before they begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms are signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be more susceptible to depression or other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative who suffers from the condition.
panic anxiety disorder can cause people to be constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, at work or school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about routine tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued, have trouble concentrating and frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you experience. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be done individually or in group.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in childhood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, like talking in class or going on date, but it may be more generalized, and include avoiding any situation that might cause being considered unpopular by others.
Although the person suffering from SAD recognizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behaviors" to help lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoid eye contact.
Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from taking medication along with psychological therapy. These medications, also known as antidepressants, help to regulate the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as addiction or depression. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to consult with an emergency counselor.
One in four sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you have an anxiety disorder. You can also utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person with a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often not proportional to the danger that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by only one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from heights to dogs, flying to injections and crowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more common for women than men, and tends to begin in the adolescent years or early childhood. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are unfounded but this doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually outgrow them, but if the anxiety persists in adults it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In the past DSM editions, adults needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer required for adults.
There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on educating people about healthier strategies for coping and altering their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the feared object or situation. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at photos of the subject, then taking an action towards it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. Although this kind of therapy is not able to alleviate phobias but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Other options for treating specific fears include medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These treatments are frequently proven to be effective for people with phobias specific to them.