Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if the feelings are intense or persistent and disrupt your daily routine, they could be a sign of an separation anxiety disorder in adults disorder. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, see your physician to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone feels anxious from time to time There are legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. If the worry is constant and takes over your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder test anxiety disorder. People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that influence their lives for the rest of their lives and can be difficult to manage. They are prone to anticipate the worst and assume that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood however it can happen at any age. It is twice as prevalent in women and those deemed female at birth as in men.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts like headaches and stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work-related activities, cause people to isolate themselves from family or friends, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known, it appears 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 plays a role as well.

Although there is no cure for GAD however, it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises various therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. The use of medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, including dizziness and heart palpitations. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to identify and treat, but you should seek treatment if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is easier to treat if you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense sensations of terror and fear (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they’re experiencing are signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be at increased risk of depression or other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can lead to issues in social settings at work, at home or in school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentration.

A person suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder Therapies anxious disorder may worry about a wide range of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family problems. They’re also likely to be tired or irritable and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with your anxiety disorder cure naturally and reduce panic attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with daily life routines. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in particular social situations such as speaking in class or going out for date. Or it may be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being judged.

The person with SAD might realize that their anxiety is unfounded but still feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them even more anxious. They may also develop “safety behaviors” to try to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and not making eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some sufferers who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. Antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within 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 essential to seek treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening if not treated and may result in other mental health issues like depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to speak with a crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include 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 understands the various forms of anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you suffer from anxiety disorders or use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears could be out of proportion to the threat of the object or situation but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they are triggered by a single stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from heights to dogs, flying to injections and crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more common in males than women, and is more likely to begin in childhood or adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are not rational but this doesn’t diminish the severity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually overcome them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. They rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the fear. In previous editions of the DSM adults were required to recognize their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the feared subject or event. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or event and then move to looking at photos of the subject, taking steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then riding in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Other treatment options drugs for anxiety disorder specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. People with specific phobias who try these therapies frequently experience better outcomes.