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

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and affecting daily life. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, see your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every from time to time, and there can be good reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by dread and anxiety that can affect the whole 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 experienced by anyone, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.

GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, cause people to isolate themselves from families or friends, and contribute to a loss of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

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

Although there isn't  panic anxiety disorder  for GAD it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several therapies that help you recognize and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you learn to control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by challenging them. The use of medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to recognize however, you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is simpler to treat it when you seek help early, before the physical and mental symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be more susceptible to depression or other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, researchers believe they arise from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood, are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or at school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They may also suffer from muscle tension, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about routine tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel restless and fatigued, or have trouble concentrating. They might also worry about their own safety or that of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you experience. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can hinder everyday life. It can cause intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but can also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going out for dates. It could also be more widespread and include avoiding all situations that could lead to being considered a failure.

When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long term. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance drinking 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 aid in balancing the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak to an experienced crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional in case you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder. You can also utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person with specific phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals or other people. These fears could be out of proportion to the risk of the object or situation but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from heights to dogs to flying to injections to crowds. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often in women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears, but the fear is still very real.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. They rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says 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 strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or event. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, holding an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could reduce its intensity.

Other options for treating certain fears include medications such as antidepressants and anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People with specific phobias who test these therapies often experience better outcomes.