15 Type Of Anxiety Disorder Benefits Everyone Must Be Able To
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medications are effective treatments.
First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical ailments out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the kind of anxiety disorder you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then, and there can be good reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. But when the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They are prone to believe that everything is worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also hinder social and work-related activities, causing people to isolate themselves from friends or family, and contribute to a loss of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However treatment can help to manage both disorders.
Although the exact cause is not known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain also plays an important role.
Although there is no cure for GAD, the condition is manageable with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes several treatments that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that will assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be alleviated by medication. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify, but it is important to seek out help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. It is easier to treat by seeking assistance early, before anxiety and physical symptoms begin to affect your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated, sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart is pounding or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of an attack on their heart. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The cause of anxiety disorders isn't well understood, but researchers believe that they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that control fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are the most typical causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety problems have a first-degree relative who has the condition.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can lead to problems in social situations at work, or at school. People with anxiety disorders may also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentration. 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 techniques. A mental health professional can assist you to determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you deal with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it usually starts in the early years of childhood. It usually manifests as anxiety about specific social situations, such as talking in class or going on a date, or it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being perceived as a failure by other people.
The person with SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to try to lessen their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These 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 important to seek treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening if left untreated and can result in other mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.
Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are 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 so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health in case you're not sure if you have anxiety disorder or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific phobias
A person who is afflicted with a particular fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals or even other people. These fears could be out of proportion to the danger of the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object could be anything, from dogs to heights as well as injections, flying, and the crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world most often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. Certain phobias aren't just unfounded fears however, the fear is real.
panic anxiety disorder who suffer from specific phobias typically overcome them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating 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 prior to diagnosing a fear. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way people react to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or circumstance. The patient might begin by imagining the object, or situation. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, before experiencing a busy lift. Although this type of therapy cannot cure a phobia however it can greatly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options to treat specific fears. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective by those who suffer from specific phobias.