Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when anxiety or fear are chronic, persistent, and affecting daily life. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medications are effective treatments.

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious from time to time, and there are many valid reasons to worry about things like work responsibilities or money, or health. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder stress management disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by fear and anxiety that can alter the entire life of a person. They tend to assume the worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also hinder social and work-related activities, cause people to avoid friends or family, and contribute to the loss of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.

While the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved in the cause.

Although there is no cure for GAD however, it can be managed with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses various therapies that help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that can help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to identify, but you should seek treatment in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to control the anxiety and physical symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. People with this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and could be at increased risk of depression or other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Some research suggests that they may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics such as childhood abuse, or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. Many people with anxiety disorders have a first degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can lead to difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may worry about a myriad of everyday activities such as work responsibilities and family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include Medicine For Generalized Anxiety Disorder, psychotherapy, and complementary health practices. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage your anxiety and reduce anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in childhood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, such as talking in class or going out on dates, or it may be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could cause being perceived as a failure by others.

The person with SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded but feel helpless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behaviors" to to reduce anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. Antidepressants can help balance certain 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 seek treatment. The condition can be fatal if not treated and may cause other mental health problems like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to speak to an experienced crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Barriers to getting treatment include 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 doctor is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health when you're unsure if you have anxiety disorder or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific fears

A person with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the dangers that the object or circumstance poses, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they involve anxiety about only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may be anything from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more common in males than women, and tends to start in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded however this does not diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically get over them, but if the phobia persists in adults, 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 rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of DSM adults were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at pictures of the subject, then taking steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally riding in a crowded elevator. While this type of therapy is not able to solve phobias however it can greatly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.

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