Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or ongoing and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Every person experiences anxiety from time to time and there are good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibilities, health or financial. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People suffering from GAD experience anxiety-like feelings that can affect their whole lives and are often difficult to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts like headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to fall asleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder social and work activities. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety disorder however treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known however, they are related to genes and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain also plays an important role.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes a variety of treatments that teach you to recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, like heart palpitations and dizziness. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines, as well as some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify however it is crucial to seek out help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. It is much easier to treat if you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. People with this disorder may also suffer from chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart is pounding or fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs of heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't known, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like trauma or abuse in childhood are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly anxious, even though they know their fears are not rational. This can cause difficulties in social situations at work, or at school. In addition, some sufferers of anxiety disorder cure naturally disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may be worried about a variety of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family issues. They might also feel anxious and tired, or have trouble in concentrating. They may also worry about their safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine for social anxiety disorder and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that causes your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the amount of panic attacks you have. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme mixed anxiety disorder, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It usually manifests as anxiety over specific social anxiety disorder treatment situations, like speaking in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could cause being perceived as a failure by other people.

The person with SAD may realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to to reduce their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, being quiet and not making eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These antidepressants can help regulate some neurotransmitters within 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 if left untreated and can result in other mental health issues, such as depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with an experienced crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low investment in mental 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 properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.

Specific phobias

A person who has a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more things, situations, animals or other people. These fears could be out of proportion to the threat of the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and can begin in childhood or adolescence. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are not rational, but this knowledge doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually overcome them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In the past DSM editions, adults needed 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 are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on altering the way people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject, then taking an action towards it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo and looking at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. Although this type of therapy is not able to cure a phobia however it can greatly reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options to treat certain phobias. These therapies are often considered to be effective by those who suffer from specific phobias.