Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, see your physician to determine if there are any physical issues 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
Everyone feels anxious at times and there are good reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it typically begins in adolescence or childhood however it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can also hinder work and social activities, causing people to isolate themselves from family or friends, and contribute to the loss of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both conditions.
Although the exact cause is unknown however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several treatments that help you identify and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you control your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by confronting them. Medicines can ease certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek out help if you are experiencing anxiety and other signs of the disorder. It is much easier to treat by seeking assistance early, before anxiety and physical symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be more susceptible to depression and other health issues such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't known however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member with the condition.
People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulties in social situations at work, at home or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also suffer from muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties in getting their attention.
A person with generalized anxious disorder may worry about a wide range of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family issues. They might also feel anxious and tired, or have trouble concentrating. They may also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. panic anxiety disorder can help identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen anxiety attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but may also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on dates, or it may be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could cause being judged by others.
The person with SAD may realize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For instance, they might drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can help to regulate 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. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to speak with an experienced crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable however, only 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're not sure if you have 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, animals, or other people. These fears are usually not proportional to the dangers that the object or situation creates, but they can cause distress and interfere in daily functioning. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared could be anything, from heights to dogs, flying to injections and areas that are crowded. This is a common occurrence, more often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. People with specific phobias know their fears are not rational but this doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.
Children who suffer from specific phobias typically overcome them, however if a fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They rule out other conditions that could be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the phobia. In the past DSM editions, adult patients needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer required for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the feared object or circumstance. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take an action towards it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it can reduce its intensity.
Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating certain phobias. These treatments are generally proven to be effective by those with phobias specific to them.