Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and affecting daily life. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and
best medication for generalized anxiety disorder are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will diagnose the type anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then and there are good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibility, health, or financial. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by fear and anxiety that can alter a person's entire life. They tend to anticipate the worst or assume that minor issues will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually starts in childhood or adolescence however it can happen at any age. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, leading people to withdraw from families or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to suffer from depression However, treatment can help manage both disorders.
The specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear but they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain may also play a part.
Although there isn't a cure for GAD however, it can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses a variety of treatments that teach you to identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Certain physical symptoms like dizziness or heart palpitations can be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat when you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of fear and terror (panic attacks) that peak within a matter of minutes. People with this disorder may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart beats or is flaring ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.
The cause of anxiety disorders isn't known however, experts believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.
People who have anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can create problems in social situations at work, or at school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties in concentration.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of everyday tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also feel restless and tired, or have trouble concentrating. They might also be concerned about their safety or the safety of others.
There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you to identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen
mixed anxiety depressive disorder attacks. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, the social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with daily life routines. It usually begins in the early years of childhood, but it can also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going on date, but it may be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being judged by other people.
When someone with SAD realizes that their fear is not rational, they feel helpless to overcome it. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, stay silent, or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some people who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. 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).
If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to get treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can 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 to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider is aware of the various forms of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific phobias
A person with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears may be out of proportion to the danger posed by the object or circumstance, however they can cause significant
anxiety disorders wikipedia and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they cause anxiety around one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may range from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more prevalent for women than men, and it tends to start in childhood or adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.
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 reported symptoms and their impact on daily function. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In past DSM editions, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and systematic exposure to the object or circumstance. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation and then move to looking at images of the subject, then taking steps towards it (such as walking past an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and finally riding in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not cure a fear, but it could reduce its intensity.
Other options for treating specific fears include medications such as antidepressants and anti-
anxiety disorders types Drugs For Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and psychotherapy. These treatments are frequently proven to be effective by people with specific phobias.
