A Step-By Step Guide For Choosing Your Type Of Anxiety Disorder

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and interfere with daily life. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious from time to time, and there are a variety of good reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities or money, or health. When the worry becomes constant and consumes your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience anxiety-like feelings that can have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in men.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, leading people to withdraw from friends or family and lead to a loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can aid in managing both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays an important role.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD, the condition is manageable by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes various therapies that help you recognize and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you to understand and control your distorted thinking patterns and decrease your fear by engaging them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. These include antidepressants ocd and anxiety disorder benzodiazepines, as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to diagnose and treat, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is easier to treat when you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also feel chest discomfort, breathlessness or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health problems such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't known however, experts believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatizing events are typical causes of Anxiety disorders description disorder. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know their fears are not rational. This can cause problems in social situations at work, or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about everyday tasks, such as work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves and others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen anxiety attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It usually manifests as anxiety over specific social situations, like talking in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized and involve avoidance of any situation that could cause being judged by other people.

The person with SAD might realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behaviours" to to reduce anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These 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 crucial to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable but only one of 4 people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your doctor is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals or other people. These fears are usually in contrast to the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may include anything from heights, dogs, flying to injections to crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often among women than men and it tends to start in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded but this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if the anxiety persists in adults it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on the way they function in their daily lives. Before determining a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In past DSM editions, adults needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on educating people about healthier strategies for coping and altering their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance, then move on to looking at photos of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking by an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and finally riding in a crowded elevator. Although this type of therapy does not alleviate phobias, it can significantly decrease the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options to treat specific fears. These treatments are frequently considered to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.