How Type Of Anxiety Disorder Can Be Your Next Big Obsession

How Type Of Anxiety Disorder Can Be Your Next Big Obsession

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or persistent and disrupt your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective treatments.

First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical issues out which could 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 now and then, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things like job obligations, health or financial. If the worry is constant and takes over your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can impact the whole life of a person. They tend to assume the worst and believe that minor issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts such as headaches or stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can hinder work and social activities. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed However, treatment can aid in managing both disorders.

Although the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain is involved as well.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD however, it is manageable through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses various therapies that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. The use of medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, including dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

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

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated, extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks).  panic anxiety disorder  who have this disorder may also experience chest discomfort, breathlessness or the sensation that their heart is pounding or fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing are symptoms of a heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, experts believe that they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may 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 traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

People with anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by many worries about routine tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentrating. They might also worry about their own security or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you to determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to deal with your anxiety and reduce the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are several types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder


While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in specific social situations like speaking in class or going out for a date. Or it may be more widespread and include avoidance of all situations that could lead to being assessed.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long run. They may also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, remain silent, or avoid eye contact.

Certain people with SAD might benefit from taking medication along with psychological therapy. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can aid in balancing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment if they have social anxiety disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to talk to an emergency counselor.

Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person with specific phobia has a persistent and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or even other people. These fears are often not proportional to the danger that the object or event creates, but they can cause distress and hinder the daily activities of. Specific phobias differ from other  anxiety disorders  because they are triggered by one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia can be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more common in women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. They rule out other conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing a phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM adults were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and consistent exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They may then move on to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it may reduce the intensity.

Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People with specific phobias who test these therapies often report improved outcomes.