Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if these feelings are extreme or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everybody feels anxious from time to time, and there are many valid reasons for worrying about things like job responsibility or money, or health. If the anxiety becomes constant and takes over your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can alter a person's entire life. They tend to expect the worst or assume that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can hinder work and social activities. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage both disorders.
Although the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize however, it is important to seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you control the physical and mental symptoms before they begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some research suggests 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.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even when they realize their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or at school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to be tired or irritable, have trouble concentrating and often worry about the safety of themselves and 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 can help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you deal with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but may also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, like talking in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being considered unpopular by other people.
The person with SAD might realize that their fear is irrational but still feel powerless. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, stay silent, or avoid eye contact.
Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, may aid in balancing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in 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 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 is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and speak to a trained crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is hindered by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're unsure 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 with a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually not proportional to the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared could be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more common for women than men, and it tends to start in adolescence or childhood. Certain phobias aren't irrational fears but the fear is real.
Children with specific fears usually get over them. However when the fear persists into adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on daily function. They are able to rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing a phobia. In earlier editions of DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their response to fear. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure of the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They may then move on to seeing pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in a crowded elevator. Although this kind of therapy cannot cure a phobia however it can greatly decrease the severity of the symptoms.
Other options for treating certain fears include medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. People suffering from specific phobias who test these therapies often have better results.