Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are chronic, persistent, and interfere with your daily routine. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical issues out which 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

Every person experiences anxiety now and then, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. But if your anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorders symptoms disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect a person's entire life. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any point. It is twice as common medications for anxiety disorders for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can cause physical problems such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can hinder work and social activities. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to experience depression, but treatment can help treat both disorders.

Although the exact cause is not known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved too.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several treatments that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you control your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be alleviated by medication. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to diagnose, but it is important to seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you control the anxiety and physical symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart is pounding or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders wikipedia disorders isn't fully understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Some research suggests that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, like childhood abuse or traumatic events, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder medication side effects disorder have a parent who suffers from the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can cause problems in social situations, work or school. In addition, many people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by many worries about routine tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to be tired or irritable as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about the safety of themselves or others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you understand how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavior 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, a social anxiety disorder can cause such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with daily life routines. It usually begins in childhood, but may also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, like speaking in class or going on dates, or it may be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being judged by other people.

The person with SAD might realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These medications, known as antidepressants, help balance the levels of neurotransmitters in 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 if they have social anxiety disorder. The condition can be fatal when left untreated, and could result in other mental health issues like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider understands the different types anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional in case you're not sure if you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. These fears are usually not proportional to the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt daily functioning. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from heights to dogs to flying to injections to crowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more prevalent among women than men and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not unreasonable fears however, the fear is real.

Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. They are able to rule out other conditions that could have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing a phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people respond to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the object or situation. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at images of the subject, then taking a step toward it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat certain phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who try these therapies frequently experience better outcomes.