How To Know The Type Of Anxiety Disorder Right For You

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times and there are a variety of good reasons for worrying about things like work responsibility or money, or health. When the worry becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder 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 minor problems can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually begins in adolescence or childhood however it can happen at any age. It is twice as common in women and those assigned female at birth as in males.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, cause people to withdraw from family or friends and cause the loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain may also play in.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD however, it is manageable by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several treatments that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that can assist you in overcoming your distorted thinking patterns and decrease your fear by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be alleviated by medication. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify however it is crucial to seek help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective because it helps you reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is beating or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and may be more susceptible to depression or other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't well understood however, researchers believe they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties in getting their attention.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a myriad of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family problems. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have trouble concentration. They may also worry about their own safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen panic attacks. Different 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

Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but may also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going on dates, or it may be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might result in being perceived as a failure by other people.

When someone with SAD realizes that their fear is not rational, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long run. They may also adopt "safety behaviours" to help reduce their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, being quiet and not making eye contact.

Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, help balance 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's important that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable however, only 1 of 4 people who require care receive it. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low 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 so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.

panic anxiety disorder  with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be insignificant to the risk of the object or circumstance, however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Unlike the other types of  anxiety disorders , specific phobias involve fear of only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often in women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just irrational fears however, the fear is still very real.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if the fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that may be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In previous DSM editions, patients of adult age had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation before moving on to looking at pictures of the subject, then taking an action towards it (such as walking through an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally being in a noisy elevator. Although this kind of therapy does not alleviate phobias, it can significantly reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Other options for treating certain fears include medications such as antidepressants and anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These therapies are often considered to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.