10 Things Everybody Hates About Types Of Anxiety Disorders
Types of Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders frequently have trouble concentrating and are anxious. They also have a higher risk of depression and some health conditions, like thyroid problems.
It's normal to feel anxious from time to time like before the test or when you move into a new house. However, if it becomes persistent and overwhelming, you may require treatment. Most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy (talk therapy) as well as medications.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point and this is an normal response to stress, whether physical or psychological. If you see a car approaching you quickly and you are anxious or scared, your response can help keep you safe. It triggers the "fight-or-flight" response which means that your heart will beat faster, blood will pump into your muscles, you'll breath more heavily and your body will become nervous to prepare for a potential fight or run. However, some people are troubled by excessive worrying that seems difficult to control. This kind of anxiety can be detrimental in the event that it hinders you from engaging in your normal routine activities and interferes with relationships such as work or school. This problem is known as generalized anxiety disorder.
GAD affects people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in adolescence or childhood and continues into adulthood. Women are more likely to be affected by GAD than men. People with GAD typically have other mental disorders, including depression or dysthymia (less severe forms of depression). They also are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs.
Psychotherapy and medications are typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage your symptoms. Finding a therapist that specializes in anxiety disorders may prove beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most efficient for GAD. It teaches you to confront distorted thinking and to use relaxation techniques.
The medications used to treat anxiety are generally used as short-term treatments for anxiety. Effexor Duloxetine, XR (Cymbalta) and escitalopram are all effective antidepressants. Consult your physician about these medications prior to starting treatment.
Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) creates a sense of anxiety and apprehension in social situations. You might feel as if you're not able to speak in front of others, or that people are judging your behavior or looking down on you. Some people suffering from this condition have such extreme anxiety that they avoid any social interaction. Others who suffer from this disorder experience selective mutism, which is when they are only afraid of specific situations, like eating or speaking in the presence of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
Obsessions are a set of uncontrollable thoughts, images or urges that keep popping up in your mind, causing anxiety or even distress. Compulsions are behaviors like washing, counting or examining that you are driven to perform in order to reduce the anxiety or stress caused by an obsession. Obsessions and compulsions are typical among those suffering from OCD. They can take up a lot of time and disrupt relationships or work activities.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders affect women, men and children of all different ages. It can begin in the early years of life but the symptoms are most likely to appear when you reach puberty or in the early years of adulthood. OCD's exact cause is unknown however, certain brain activity is believed to be abnormal. It could be due to an imbalance in serotonin, the chemical that regulates your mood. There is also a strong genetic component. If you have a family member or more who suffer from OCD there's a 25% chance you'll be affected.
OCD sufferers often feel in a position of powerlessness to stop their obsessions and compulsions. They are aware that they are wrong and don't appreciate their compulsions but are compelled to take action to prevent bad things from happening or to escape the anxiety their obsessive thinking generates.
There are disorders anxiety that can help. The majority of people will benefit from psychological treatment like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or exposure and response prevention therapy. In ERP, the therapist gradually exposes you to the situations or objects that trigger your obsessional thoughts, such as touching objects that are dirty, and helps you resist acting on your compulsive actions (for example, hand-washing) in order that anxiety levels decrease as time passes.
SSRIs are also prescribed to certain patients suffering from OCD. These are medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Other types of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based behavioural therapies and mindfulness therapy, such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) or meditation. ACT helps you learn to let go of your obsessional thoughts and removes their power over you, whereas meditative and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is defined by frequent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that reach an extreme within minutes. It can be accompanied by symptoms such as a pounding heart and trembling, sweating, nausea and chest pains, shortness of breath or a feeling of imminent death, and the feeling that one is experiencing an attack on the heart. These episodes can happen in response to trauma experiences or spontaneously. People with PD also have enduring distress about the possibility of panic attacks in the future. They also avoid situations where they believe they may trigger an episode.
PD like other anxiety disorders, can create significant distress and have a negative impact on everyday life. Women and men are equally affected, but the condition is more common among people who have been through an event that was traumatic. People with a family history or depression or anxiety are more susceptible to it.
About 1 in 4 people who need treatment get it despite the fact there are many highly effective treatments available. Barriers to care include a lack of awareness that anxiety disorders can be treated as well as a lack of access to mental health services and the stigma associated with seeking help.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders are often similar to the symptoms of other illnesses like hyperthyroidism or heart disease. This is why it is important to see a doctor for an evaluation and an assessment. After determining if there is a physical cause, a qualified mental health professional will recommend specific treatments.
While the causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood, it is known that genetic and environmental factors play a role. Anxiety disorders can be passed down through families and tend to be diagnosed at a younger age people with an ancestral history of them. There are a variety of risk factors that can lead to anxiety disorders, like childhood abuse or smoking. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety, including benzodiazepines, like diazepam and Valium. Antidepressants like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can relieve anxiety, as can beta-blockers prescribed to treat heart problems. You can treat your symptoms by understanding anxiety disorders. You can lessen the stress in your everyday life by learning about treatments.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent and heightened anxiety about being in the public eye or around other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and experience humiliation or rejection. They might experience a range of physical and psychological signs, such as rapid heartbeats sweating, trembling and sweating. Their fear of social situations could cause problems at work or in relationships. The disorder can cause other psychological disorders, such as addiction or depression.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is an essential treatment for this condition. This teaches the person different ways of thinking and behavior that can reduce the anxiety. It helps the person understand that their fears aren't in proportion to the actual danger and that they are in control over the way they behave and react. Exposure therapy or cognitive-based exposure is another method that works. It involves gradually exposing the person to the situations which cause anxiety, with the assistance of professionals in a secure environment.
Social anxiety disorder can be treated with medication but they aren't considered as a cure. Antianxiety medication, antidepressants, and beta-blockers are all included. They are typically employed in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Researchers are working to identify the risk factors and understand the root cause of this condition. Certain genes and environmental factors are believed to be responsible for. Additionally, studies have revealed that those who suffer from this disorder have a greater than normal reaction to certain hormones in the body.
It is crucial to seek treatment for anxiety disorders because they can have serious consequences on people's lives. A general practitioner or a mental health specialist can diagnose anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be difficult to seek assistance, so it could be beneficial to involve a family member or friend in making an appointment or attend a support group or peer.
Some types of anxiety disorders can have a very negative impact on your life and increase your risk for depression, substance use eating disorders, suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact a suicide prevention hotline to get help.