Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety is excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, consult your doctor to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at times, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about issues like work responsibilities, health or financial. But when the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They are prone to anticipate the worst or assume that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and typically begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female.

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

While the root of anxiety disorders is unknown, they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role in the cause.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to get help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. It is simpler to treat it when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense sensations of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or 5097533 pounding (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing could be signs of a heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be due to brain circuits that control fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorder. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, work or school. People with anxiety disorders may also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty in concentrating. They might also worry about their safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can interfere with daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually starts in the early years of childhood, but it can also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It usually manifests as anxiety about specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and involve avoidance of any situation that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.

While the person with SAD recognizes that their fear is not rational, they feel helpless to overcome it. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, stay silent, or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients with SAD can benefit from medication. These medications, also 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).

If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to get treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening if left untreated and can cause mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to an emergency counselor.

One in four patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is hindered by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're unsure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually in contrast to the dangers that the object or situation creates, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. In contrast to other types 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 to injections to overcrowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears but the fear is real.

Children with specific phobias usually get over them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They exclude other conditions that may have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the fear. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or situation. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or circumstance, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo and 5097533 looking at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. Although this kind of therapy does not solve phobias however it can greatly decrease the severity of its symptoms.

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