Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety is chronic, persistent, and interfere with daily life. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication for social anxiety disorder are effective treatments.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times and there are good reasons to be concerned about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. If the worry is continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can impact a person's entire life. They tend to expect the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any point. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in men.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts like headaches and stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder the activities of work and social life. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure, which affect how your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play an important role.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behavior. 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. The use of medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize however, you should seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you manage your physical and emotional symptoms before they become a major part of your life.

panic anxiety disorder disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated, intense terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at a higher risk of depression or other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatizing events are typical causes of generalized anxiety disorder of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative who has the disorder.

People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, work or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may worry about a wide range of everyday tasks such as work responsibilities and family issues. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have difficulty in concentrating. They might also be concerned about their own security or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine for social anxiety disorder, psychotherapy and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to manage your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in childhood. It is usually manifested as anxiety over specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on dates, or it could be more generalized and involve avoiding any situation that might result in being perceived as a failure by others.

The person with SAD may recognize that their anxiety is unfounded but still feel powerless. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this increases their do anxiety disorders ever go away in the long run. 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, some people suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable, but only about 1 of 4 people who require treatment receive it. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider knows the different types anxiety disorders anxiety, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're unsure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to an expert in mental health or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person with specific fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more things, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often in contrast to the danger that the object or event poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt everyday functioning. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared could be anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world, more often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears however, the fear remains real.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually get over them. However, if the phobia persists as an adult, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. They rule out other conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the fear. In earlier editions of DSM adults were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way that people respond to their fears and helps them develop healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and constant exposure to the feared object or situation. The patient might begin by imagining the object, or situation. They may then go on to see images of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. This kind of therapy might not eliminate fear, but it may decrease the intensity.

Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These treatments are frequently considered to be effective by those with phobias specific to them.