Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or continue to reoccur and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, see your physician to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times and there are a variety of good reasons to worry about things like work obligations, money, or health. If the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They are prone to believe that everything is worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood however it can happen at any time. It is twice as common for women and those who are assigned to females at birth as males.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder social and work activities. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

The specific cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure, which affect the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain plays an important role.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes several treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can anxiety disorders be cured help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness can be alleviated by medication. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to get assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment what is severe anxiety disorder more effective because it helps you manage your anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within a matter of minutes. The sufferers may also experience chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart beats or is it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some research suggests they may be caused by brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can cause difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties concentrating.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may worry about a myriad of everyday tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have difficulty concentration. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to deal with your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you have. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorders cause such extreme fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with everyday life activities. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, such as talking in class or going on a date, or it may be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could cause being judged by other people.

The person with SAD might realize that their fear is irrational but still feel powerless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some sufferers with SAD benefit from medication. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, can help to regulate the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment if they have social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're unsure if you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with specific phobia has a persistent and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. The fear may be insignificant to the risk of the object or situation, however they can cause significant distress and interfere with functioning in everyday life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even crowds. The condition is widespread and is more common in women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded however this does not lessen the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with phobias that what are the anxiety disorders specific to them usually overcome them. However when the fear persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way people respond to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and systematic exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient may begin by imagining the object, or situation. They may then move on to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific phobias. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective for people with specific phobias.