Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out that might be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type treating anxiety disorders disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious at times, and there are many valid reasons to worry about things like work responsibilities or money, or health. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by fear and anxiety that can impact the whole life of a person. They tend to assume the worst, and that small issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.

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

Although the exact cause is unknown, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact the body's response to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play a part.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes various treatments that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that can help you control your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your anxiety by confronting them. Medications can help relieve some of the physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you reduce the physical and mental symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or feeling like their heart is pounding or fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing are symptoms 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 studies suggest that they may be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the condition.

People with anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly even when they realize that their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, at work or school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties in concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may worry about a myriad of everyday activities that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also feel exhausted or restless, have trouble concentrating and frequently worry about their safety or that of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage your anxiety and reduce anxiety Disorders Meaning attacks. different anxiety disorders types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but can be present in the early years of adulthood. It usually manifests as a fear of certain social situations, such as talking in class or going out on date, but it could be more generalized, and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being considered unpopular by others.

The person with SAD may recognize that their anxiety is unfounded but feel helpless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long in the long run. They may also develop "safety behaviors" to help reduce anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters inside 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 essential to seek treatment. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone else you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific fears

A person who has a specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or even other people. These fears are often not proportional to the dangers that the object or situation presents, but they may cause distress and hinder daily high functioning anxiety disorder. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation could range from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often in women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are unfounded however this does not diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who have specific fears typically overcome them. However, if the phobia persists into adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on the way they function in their daily lives. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnosis process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way that people respond to their fears and helps them develop healthier ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They may then go on to seeing pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding toys, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally riding a crowded lift. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it could reduce its intensity.

Psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat specific fears. These therapies are often reported to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.