Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if the feelings are intense or persistent and disrupt daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective treatments.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

Every person experiences anxiety now and then There are good reasons to be concerned about things like job obligations, health or financial. If the anxiety disorder cure naturally becomes constant and consumes your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience fears that influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often hard to manage. They tend to anticipate the worst or assume that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can be affected by anyone. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those assigned female at birth as in men.

GAD can cause physical issues, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social anxiety disorder symptoms and work activities, causing people to withdraw from friends or family and cause an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to experience depression, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the root of anxiety disorders is unclear however, they are related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain may also play in.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes a range of therapies that help you recognize and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that will assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be relieved by medications. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants, as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek out help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to control the physical and mental symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders may be worried constantly even though they know that their fears are unfounded. This can cause issues in social settings, at work or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also suffer from muscle tension, irritability, and trouble getting their attention.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a variety of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family problems. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentration. They may also worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will assist you in identifying the condition that causes your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with your anxiety and reduce anxiety attacks. There are several types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out for dates. Or it may be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being assessed.

While the person with SAD recognizes that their fear is irrational, they still feel helpless to overcome it. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them feel even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients with SAD benefit from medication. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, may 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. The disorder can be life-threatening if not treated and may cause mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. 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 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. Ask your doctor to refer to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person who has a specific phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals or other people. The fear may be insignificant to the threat that the object or situation however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared can be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and crowded spaces. This is a common occurrence and is more common in males than women, and is more likely to begin in childhood or early adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unfounded fears however, the fear remains real.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, but if the fear persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and how they affect the way they function in their daily lives. They are able to rule out other conditions that can be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the fear. In earlier editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition says 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 educating people about healthier ways of coping and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation and then move to looking at images of the subject, taking an action towards it (such as walking past an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then riding in a crowded elevator. While this type of therapy is not able to solve phobias however it can greatly reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Other options for treating specific fears include medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. People with specific phobias who test these therapies often report improved outcomes.

좋아요 0