Type Of Anxiety Disorder: The Good And Bad About Type Of Anxiety Disorder
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are constant, chronic and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone feels anxious now and then, and there can be good reasons to worry about things like job obligations, health or financial. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder . GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will develop into major disasters. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also hinder work and social activities, cause people to isolate themselves from friends or family and cause a loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help to manage both conditions.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown however, they are linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may also play a part.
Although there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes a variety of treatments that teach you to identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that can help you control your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify, but it is important to seek out help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you reduce the physical and emotional symptoms before they become a major part of your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry 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, including depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other 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 first-degree family member with the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can cause problems when it comes to social situations, work or school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel tired or irritable and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications, psychotherapy, and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you deal with anxiety and lessen anxiety attacks. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in particular social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on date. It could also be more widespread, and include avoiding all situations that could lead to being judged.
When someone with SAD realizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some patients with SAD benefit from medication. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, may aid in balancing the levels of neurotransmitters in 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. The condition can be fatal when left untreated, and could result in other mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone else you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, call 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.
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 could be insignificant to the danger posed by the object or situation but they can cause severe distress and interfere with functioning in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they involve anxiety about only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may be anything from dogs to heights to flying to injections to crowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more prevalent in women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However in the event that the fear persists into adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In past DSM editions, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They may then move on to seeing pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, playing with toys, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. Although this kind of therapy is not able to cure a phobia however it can greatly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific fears. People suffering from specific phobias who try these therapies frequently report improved outcomes.