How Type Of Anxiety Disorder Changed My Life For The Better
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when anxiety or fear are chronic, persistent, and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious at times, and there are many valid reasons for worrying about things like work responsibility, money, or health. If the worry is continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have fears that have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to manage. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any point. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, causing people to withdraw from family or friends and cause a loss of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both conditions.
Although the exact cause is unknown but it is clear that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.
Although there is no cure for GAD however, it is manageable by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several treatments that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that will assist you in overcoming your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by challenging them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines along with medicines that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to diagnose however, it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the condition are apparent. It is easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression and other health issues, such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't known however, experts believe that they develop from a combination of factors. Some research suggests that they could be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like childhood abuse or traumatic events are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative with the condition.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations at work, at home or in school. People with anxiety disorders may are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have a variety of worries about daily tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They're also likely to be restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves and others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you understand how to deal with your anxiety and reduce the amount of panic attacks you experience. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It usually starts in the early years of childhood, but it can also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It usually manifests as a fear of certain social situations, like talking in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized, and include the avoidance of situations that could cause being judged by other people.
The person suffering from SAD may recognize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behaviors" to help reduce anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and not making eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. 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).
It is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety. The condition can be debilitating if not treated and may cause mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider understands the different types anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're unsure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person with a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears could be out of proportion to the threat posed by the object or situation, however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders , specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even crowds. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often among women than men and it tends to start in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not irrational fears, but the fear remains real.
Children with specific fears usually get over them. However in the event that the fear persists into adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect daily functioning. They rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the phobia. In past DSM editions, adult patients had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer required for adults.
There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and constant exposure to the subject or event. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They may then move on to see images of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding an object, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it can reduce its intensity.
Other options for treating specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. People suffering from specific phobias who take these treatments often report improved outcomes.