10 Books To Read On Type Of Anxiety Disorder

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and interfere with daily life. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, see your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious at times and there are many good reasons to worry about things like job obligations 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 characterised by dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They tend to expect the worst or assume that minor issues will turn into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical issues like headaches and stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, cause people to isolate themselves from friends or family, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a higher chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the root of anxiety disorders is unclear but they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role in the cause.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises various treatments that help you identify and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to diagnose, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is simpler to treat it by seeking help early, before the physical and mental symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within a matter of minutes. People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart is pounding or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They often worry that their symptoms could be a sign of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't known, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood are the most typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even though they know that their fears are unfounded. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, at work or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also have tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may worry about a myriad of daily tasks, including job responsibilities and family problems. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have trouble concentration. They may also worry about their own safety or that of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with daily life routines. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It is usually manifested as a fear of certain social situations, like having a conversation in class or going out on dates, or it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being judged by others.

The person suffering from SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to help reduce anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoiding eye contact.


Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication along with psychological therapy. These antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within 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 crucial to seek treatment. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with an experienced crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person with a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects or situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt everyday functioning. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could range from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or overcrowded spaces. This is a common occurrence most often in men than women, and tends to start in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded however this does not lessen the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with specific fears usually overcome them. However in the event that 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 daily function. They are able to rule out other conditions that may be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing a phobia. In the past DSM editions, adults needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says this is no longer required for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people respond to their fears and helps them develop healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and constant exposure to the object or circumstance. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation, then move on to looking at images of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally being in a noisy elevator. While this type of therapy is not able to solve phobias but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific phobias. These therapies are often reported to be effective for people with phobias specific to them.

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Pub: 12 May 2024 04:46 UTC

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