Types of Anxiety Disorders

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

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type 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 responsibility, health, or financial. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by fear and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They tend to expect the worst or assume that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any time. It is twice as common for women and those who are assigned female at birth as in males.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, causing people to withdraw from families or friends and cause the loss of self-esteem. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression however treatment can help treat both disorders.

While the exact cause is unknown but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes several treatments that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by challenging them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify however it is crucial to get assistance if you begin to notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is beating or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They often worry that their symptoms may be signs of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health issues like asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, like childhood abuse or traumatic events, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or school. People with anxiety disorders may are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel tired or irritable, have trouble concentrating and often worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health methods. A mental health professional will assist you in identifying the condition that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best medicine for social anxiety disorder treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction 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 hinder daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but may also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, such as talking in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and involve avoiding any situation that might result in being judged by others.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety disorder treatment without medication, but this makes them even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to try to reduce anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and not making eye contact.

Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication along with psychological therapy. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, help balance 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 suffer from social anxiety. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to speak to an experienced crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It's also important to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you have an anxiety disorder. You can also utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person who suffers from a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually not proportional to the danger that the object or situation creates, but they can cause distress and interfere in daily functioning. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they involve anxiety about only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia can be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and crowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and can start in adolescence or childhood. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are not rational however this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on daily function. They exclude other conditions that could be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a phobia. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better coping mechanisms and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They can then proceed to see images of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, before experiencing a busy lift. Although this kind of therapy does not solve phobias but it can dramatically decrease the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options to treat certain phobias. These treatments are generally proven to be effective for people with phobias specific to them.