Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, consult your doctor to rule any physical conditions out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then and there are good reasons to be concerned about things like job responsibility, health, or financial. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by fear and anxiety that can affect the whole life of a person. They tend to expect the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can hinder work and social activities. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help to manage both conditions.
Although the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays in.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes different therapies that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to seek out help if you notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you control the physical and mental symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This kind of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated, intense terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They may be concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression or other health issues like asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. A large number of people with anxiety issues have a first degree family member who suffers from the condition.
People with anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can lead to problems in social situations at work, at home or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have difficulty concentration. They might also be concerned about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to manage your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going on a date, or it could be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might result in being perceived as a failure by other people.
While the person with SAD realizes that their fear is irrational, they still are unable to overcome it. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behaviors" to help reduce their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.
Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, help balance 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 has social anxiety disorder, it's crucial to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like addiction or depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.
One in four people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional in case you're not sure if you suffer from anxiety disorder s or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the danger that the object or situation creates, but they can cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world, more often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unreasonable fears but the fear remains real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually outgrow them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. They are able to rule out other conditions that may be similar like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.
There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient may begin by imagining the object or the situation. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with toys, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then experiencing a busy lift. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it could reduce its intensity.
Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People with specific phobias that try these therapies frequently report improved outcomes.