How To Tell If You're Ready For Type Of Anxiety Disorder
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if these feelings are severe or ongoing and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious every at times There are good reasons to worry about things like job obligations, health or money. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People suffering from GAD experience anxiety-like feelings that can influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often difficult to control. They tend to think that they are the worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned female at birth as in males.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with the activities of work and social life. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression However, treatment can help manage both disorders.
Although the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes in brain structures that affect the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved as well.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that will help you to understand and control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and lessen your anxiety by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you reduce the physical and mental symptoms before they begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
The anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within a matter of minutes. The sufferers may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart beats or is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing are signs of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative with the condition.
People with anxiety disorders may be worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, at work or school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person with generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a myriad of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family problems. They're also likely to feel tired or irritable, have trouble concentrating and frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to cope with your worries and reduce the amount of panic attacks you experience. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can interfere with daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, like having a conversation in class or going out on dates, or it could be more generalized and involve avoidance of any situation that could result in being considered unpopular by other people.
The person with SAD may realize that their fear is irrational but still feel powerless. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long run. They may also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, remain silent, or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, a few sufferers suffering from SAD benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters inside 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 disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and speak to an experienced crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated, but only about 1 out of four people who require care receive it. Treatment is hindered by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low funding for mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider knows the different types anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or use an online screening tool.
Specific phobias
A person who has a specific phobia has a persistent and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or even other people. These fears may be out of proportion to the threat posed by the object or circumstance, but they can cause severe distress and interfere with functioning in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they cause anxiety around only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from heights to dogs to flying to injections to crowds. The condition is widespread and occurs more often for women than men, and usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears, but the fear remains real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, but if a phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on daily function. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In the past DSM editions, adults were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on educating people about healthier ways of coping and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation. The patient might begin by imagining the object or event. They may then move on to look at pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding a toy, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it can reduce the intensity.
Other treatment options for specific phobias include medications, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These therapies are often proven to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.