How To Find The Perfect Type Of Anxiety Disorder Online
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when anxiety or fear are constant, chronic and interfere with daily life. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, and there can be good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibility, health, or financial. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst and assume that minor issues will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood however, it can also occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned to be female at birth, as it is in men.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with work and social activities, cause people to withdraw from family or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.
Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known, it appears that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays an important role.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes various treatments that help you identify and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you to understand and control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and decrease your fear by confronting them. Medications can help relieve some physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is difficult to recognize and treat, but it is important to seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you manage your anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense sensations of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be more susceptible to depression and other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some research suggests that they may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders . Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative who has the disorder.
People who have anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even when they realize that their fears are unfounded. This can lead to problems in social situations, at work or in school. In addition, many people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentration.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may worry about a variety of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family problems. They're also likely to be tired or irritable and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you experience. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done individually or in group.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with daily life routines. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it typically begins in childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in particular social situations such as speaking in class or going out on a date. It can also be more widespread, and include avoidance of all situations that could result in being considered a failure.
When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this makes them feel even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to help lessen their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. These medications, known as antidepressants, can aid in balancing the levels of some neurotransmitters in 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 suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to seek treatment. The condition can be fatal if not treated and may cause mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, call 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 disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also crucial to make sure that your doctor is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. Ask your doctor to refer to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you have an anxiety disorder. You can also use an online screening tool.
Specific fears
A person who suffers from a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be unrelated to the risk of the object or circumstance, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they are triggered by only one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could range from heights to dogs to flying to injections to overcrowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more common among women than men and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears however, the fear remains real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually overcome them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They exclude other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In previous DSM editions, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer required for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them healthier strategies for coping. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it can reduce the intensity.
Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating specific fears. These treatments are generally considered to be effective by those with specific phobias.