Everything You Need To Know About Type Of Anxiety Disorder Dos And Don'ts
Types of Anxiety Disorders Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if the feelings are intense or continue to reoccur and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments. First, consult your physician to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from. Generalized anxiety disorder Everyone is anxious every at times, and there can be good reasons to worry about things such as job responsibilities, health or financial. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you could be suffering from a more serious disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD sufferers experience anxiety-like feelings that can influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often difficult to manage. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female. GAD can trigger physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with work and social activities, leading people to isolate themselves from families or friends, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both conditions. While the root of anxiety disorders is unclear however, they are related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well. Although there isn't a cure for GAD however, it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes a variety of treatments that teach you to identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and reduce your fears by confronting them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine. GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek out assistance if you begin to notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. It is much easier to treat by seeking help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms take over your life. Panic disorder This type of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or feeling like their heart is beating or flaring (“heart palpitations”). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders , such as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma. Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorder. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the disorder. Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly anxious, even though they know their fears aren't rational. This can lead to difficulty when it comes to social situations, work or at school. In addition, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a variety of everyday activities that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have difficulty in concentrating. They might also worry about their own safety or that of others. The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks you have. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis. Social anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can interfere with daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in certain social situations like speaking in class or going out on a date. It could also be more widespread and involve the need to avoid situations that could result in being considered a failure. When someone with SAD recognizes that their fear is irrational, they still feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them even more anxious. They may also develop “safety behavior” to reduce their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact. In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients with SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters inside 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 when they have social anxiety disorder. The disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated, and could cause mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak 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 disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also important to ensure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're unsure if 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 fears A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals, or other people. These fears could be insignificant to the danger of the object or situation but they cause marked distress and interfere with functioning in daily life. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve anxiety over only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared could be anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowds. The condition is widespread and is more common for women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unreasonable fears, but the fear is real. Children with specific phobias usually get over them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. They are able to rule out other conditions that can exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing a phobia. In previous DSM editions, adult patients needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer required for adults. There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better coping mechanisms and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and consistent exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They may then move on to look at pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding an object, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then experiencing a busy lift. While this type of therapy cannot solve phobias, it can significantly decrease the severity of the symptoms. Psychotherapy and medicines like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are also options for treating specific fears. People with specific phobias that test these therapies often report improved outcomes.