A Step-By Step Guide For Choosing The Right Type Of Anxiety Disorder
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist can diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times and there are a variety of good reasons to be worried about things like work responsibility or money, or health. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect the whole life of a person. They are prone to anticipate the worst and assume that minor issues will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually starts in the adolescent years or early childhood however, it can also occur at any age. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned to females at birth as men.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, leading people to isolate themselves from family or friends, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help treat both disorders.
While the exact cause of anxiety isn't known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain also plays in.
Although there isn't a cure for GAD, the condition can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of therapies that help you recognize and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that can help you learn to control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including dizziness and heart palpitations. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines and some medicines to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you manage your physical and emotional symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) that are intense within a matter of minutes. People with this disorder may also experience chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of a heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some studies suggest that they may be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative with the condition.
People with anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can create issues in social settings at work, at home or in school. In addition, many sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may worry about a wide range of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family issues. They're also likely to be restless or easily fatigued 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 medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. panic anxiety disorder can be carried out in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually starts in childhood, but can also appear in early adulthood. It can manifest as anxiety in particular social situations like speaking in class or going out on dates. Or it may be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being considered a failure.
Although the person suffering from SAD recognizes that their fear is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this makes them feel even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, stay silent, or avoid eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, can help balance 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).
It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings call 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with an emergency counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable however, only 1 of 4 people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific Phobias
A person with a specific phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears may be out of proportion to the threat of the object or situation 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 cause anxiety around one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may range from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide and is more common in males than women, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not irrational fears but the fear is real.
Children who have specific fears typically get over them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or event. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, holding an object, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, before experiencing a busy lift. This kind of therapy might not eliminate fear, but it may decrease the intensity.
Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These treatments are generally reported to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.