Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be identified when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everybody feels anxious at times, and there are many valid reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, money, or health. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by dread and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to think that they are the worst and that minor problems can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and usually starts in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in males.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can affect the activities of work and social life. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help to manage both conditions.
The specific cause of anxiety disorders is unknown however, they are related to genes and changes in brain structure that alter how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved in the cause.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes several treatments for anxiety disorders that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your anxiety by challenging them. Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD is a difficult condition to diagnose however, it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. People who have this disorder may also experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart is beating or it is fluttering (“heart palpitations”). They worry that the symptoms they’re experiencing are symptoms of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues such asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our 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. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know that their fears aren’t rational. This can create problems in social situations at work, or at school. People with anxiety disorders may are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also have muscle tension, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about the safety of themselves or others.
There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you deal with your anxiety and reduce anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with everyday life activities. It usually starts in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It is usually manifested as anxiety over specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might cause being perceived as a failure by others.
The person suffering from SAD might realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this makes them feel even more anxious. They might also develop “safety behaviours” to to lessen their anxiety, drugs for social anxiety disorder example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoid eye contact.
Certain people suffering from SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. 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 has social anxiety disorder, it’s important to get treatment. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as addiction or depression. If you or someone else you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for 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 be properly diagnosed and treated. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health when you’re unsure if you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific phobias
A person with specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be unrelated to the danger of the object or situation, however they can cause significant distress and interfere with functioning in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other depressive anxiety disorder disorders because they cause anxiety around only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared can be anything, from heights to dogs, flying to injections and the crowded spaces. This is a common occurrence most often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. Specific phobias are not irrational fears, but the fear is still very real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, but if the anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In previous DSM editions, adult patients had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options best drug for generalized Anxiety disorder certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on altering the way people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier strategies for coping. Exposure-based treatment 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 see images of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in a crowded elevator. Although this type of therapy is not able to alleviate phobias but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options to treat specific fears. People with specific phobias that try these therapies frequently have better results.