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Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, consult your physician to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times and there are many valid reasons to worry about things like work responsibilities, money, or health. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can impact a person's entire life. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in childhood or adolescence however it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can interfere with work and social activities. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However treatment can help to manage both disorders.

While the specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear however, they are linked to genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.

While there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be managed with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes various therapies that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by engaging them. Medications can help relieve some of the physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek help if you notice worrying and other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective because it helps you manage your physical and emotional symptoms before they become a major part of your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be at increased risk of depression and other health issues like asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some research suggests they may be caused by brain circuits that regulate emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorder. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly anxious, even though they know their fears aren't rational. This can cause problems in social situations, work or school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of everyday tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They're also likely to feel tired or irritable as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about their safety or that of others.





There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease panic attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but can be present in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, like speaking in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized and involve avoidance of any situation that could cause being considered unpopular by others.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their fear is irrational however, they 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 behaviours" to help lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters inside 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. The condition can be fatal if left untreated and can cause mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 and speak to a trained crisis counselor.

One in four patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include lack of awareness that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different types of anxiety disorders so that you can be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often out of proportion with the risk that the object or circumstance poses, but they can cause distress and hinder daily functioning. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from dogs to heights, flying to injections and crowded spaces. This is a common occurrence most often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are not rational however this doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually overcome them, but if a fear persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. They exclude other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the fear. In the past DSM editions, adult patients had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer required for adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people respond to their fears and helps them develop healthier ways to cope. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at pictures of the subject, taking an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. While this type of therapy cannot alleviate phobias but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options to treat certain phobias. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective by those who suffer from specific phobias.