Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, consult your physician to determine if there are any physical issues that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious from time to time, and there are many good reasons to be worried about things like work obligations, money, or health. If the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, it may be a more severe Anxiety Disorders Worksheet disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is defined by fear and anxiety that can alter the entire life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major disasters. GAD can be affected by anyone. It typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, cause people to withdraw from family or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.

Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known, it appears that anxiety disorder home remedies disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes various therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you learn to control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to get help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. It is much easier to treat if you seek assistance early, before medical anxiety disorder and physical symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also experience chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart is beating or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They are concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder of heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health issues such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't well understood however, researchers believe they are caused by a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, like trauma or abuse in childhood, are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations, work or school. People with anxiety disorders may are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and trouble getting their attention.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a myriad of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family problems. They're also likely to feel 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 practices. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you have. Several types of psychotherapy are 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 anxious or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in particular social situations such as speaking in class or going out for dates. It could also be more widespread and include the need to avoid situations that could result in being assessed.

The person with SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded but feel helpless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long in the long run. They may also develop "safety behavior" to to reduce their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and not making eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients with SAD benefit from medications. 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 is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 to talk with an experienced crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders so that you can be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you suffer from anxiety disorders or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with specific fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be unrelated to the risk of the object or situation, however they can cause significant anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause anxiety over only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared could include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowds. This is a common occurrence and is more common in males than women, and can begin in childhood or adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are not rational however this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children who have specific fears typically overcome them. However in the event that the fear persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. Before determining a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In past DSM editions, adults needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that it is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better strategies for coping and altering their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They can then proceed to look at pictures of it, walking near an elevator, holding an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. Although this kind of therapy is not able to solve phobias however it can greatly decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medicines like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating certain phobias. People with specific phobias who try these therapies frequently experience better outcomes.