Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but when these feelings are extreme or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medications are effective treatments.

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone feels anxious now and then and there are good reasons to worry about things such as job obligations, health or financial. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by dread and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to think that they are the worst and believe that minor issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as prevalent in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in males.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work activities, cause people to avoid friends or family and cause a loss of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known however, they are linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes various therapies that help you recognize and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy which can help you control your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Medications can help relieve some physical symptoms, like heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize however, you should seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is simpler to treat it if you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart is pounding or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of a heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety problems have a first-degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

People who have anxiety disorders may be worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, at work or at school. In addition, many sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also suffer from muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as work responsibilities or family issues. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have trouble in concentrating. They may also worry about their own security or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you learn how to manage your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you have. There are a variety of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed in groups or individually.

Social anxiety disorder

Social Anxiety disorder Cognitive Behavioral therapy anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it typically begins in childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in particular social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on date. It can also be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being assessed.

Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is irrational, they still feel helpless to overcome it. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, remain silent, or avoid eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from taking medication along with psychological therapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, can help balance the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety. The condition can be debilitating when left untreated, and could cause other mental health problems, such as depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with a crisis counselor.

One in four sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder zoloft disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or even other people. These fears may be out of proportion to the risk of the object or circumstance, but they can cause severe social anxiety disorder anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object can be anything, from dogs to heights, flying to injections and areas that are crowded. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and it tends to start in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unfounded fears but the fear is real.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually outgrow them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on daily functioning. They exclude other conditions that can be similar like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a fear. In past DSM editions, patients of adult age were required to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them healthier ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They may then move on to see images of it, walking in front of an elevator, playing with an object, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. Although this kind of therapy is not able to alleviate phobias but it can dramatically decrease the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medicines like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options for treating certain phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who test these therapies often report improved outcomes.