Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety is chronic, persistent, and interfere with daily life. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical ailments out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times and there are many good reasons to worry about things such as job responsibilities and financial obligations, as well as health. But if your anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD have anxiety-like feelings that can have a profound effect on their lives and are often difficult to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work activities, leading people to isolate themselves from family or friends and cause the loss of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.

The root of anxiety disorders is unknown however, they are related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role too.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD, the condition can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes various treatments that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that can help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. Medicines can ease certain physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to seek out help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. It is simpler to treat it by seeking assistance early, before physical and mental symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of extreme terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also experience chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is beating or fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at a higher risk of depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't well understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be due to brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorder. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative who has the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can cause difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder symptoms anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by many worries about daily tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments available best med for social anxiety disorder anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to manage your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. 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 serious disorder that can affect everyday life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in childhood. It usually manifests as anxiety over specific social situations, such as talking in class or going out on date, but it could be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could result in being judged by other people.

The person suffering from SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational but still feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to to lessen their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychological treatment. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters inside 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 have social anxiety disorder. The disorder can be life-threatening if left untreated and can result in other mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable however, only 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Barriers to getting treatment include 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 is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health when you're unsure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or even other people. These fears are often out of proportion with the risk that the object or situation creates, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt daily functioning. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared could be anything, from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and crowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide and is more common in males than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. Certain phobias aren't irrational fears, but the fear is real.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually outgrow them. However when the fear persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on daily function. They exclude other conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the fear. In the past DSM editions, patients of adult age were required to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer required best medicine for Generalized Anxiety disorder adults.

There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better coping mechanisms and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. A patient may start with thinking about the object or situation before moving on to looking at images of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. Although this type of therapy does not cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat specific phobias. People with specific phobias who try these therapies frequently report improved outcomes.