What Is Type Of Anxiety Disorder And Why Is Everyone Dissing It?
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if the feelings are intense 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 doctor to rule any physical conditions out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder that you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, and there are a variety of good reasons to be worried about things such as job obligations or money, or health. When the worry becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by dread and anxiety that can alter the entire life of a person. They tend to assume the worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those assigned female at birth as in men.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can hinder the activities of work and social life. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher risk of developing depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.
While the root of anxiety disorders is unknown however, they are caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may also play in.
Although there is no cure for GAD however, it is manageable by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes various therapies that help you recognize and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be alleviated by medication. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to diagnose and treat, but you should seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat if you seek help early, before the physical and mental symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder 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 could be a sign of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, like trauma or abuse in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member with the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders may be worried all the time even though they know that their fears are unfounded. This can create difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about routine tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentration. They might also be concerned about their own security or that of others.
There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can assist you to identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to deal with your worries and reduce the amount of panic attacks you experience. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These treatments can be carried out in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder causes such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on dates. It could also be more widespread and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being considered a failure.
The person with SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients with SAD benefit from medications. Antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues like addiction or depression. If you or someone else you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts contact 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with an emergency counselor.
One in four people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor should 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 with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the danger that the object or circumstance poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt the daily activities of. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they involve anxiety about a single stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and areas that are crowded. This condition occurs worldwide and is more common in males than women, and can begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears, but the fear is real.
Children with specific fears usually outgrow them. However when the fear persists as an adult, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that can be similar like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnosis process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.
There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation and then move to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo to look at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. Although this type of therapy does not solve phobias however it can greatly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating specific fears. People with specific phobias who take these treatments often have better results.