Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if the feelings are intense or ongoing and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medications are effective treatments.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the kind of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

generalized anxiety disorder dsm-5 anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, and there are many good reasons to be worried about things like work responsibility or money, or health. If the worry is constant and consumes your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can alter a person's entire life. They what are the 6 types of anxiety disorders prone to believe that everything is worst and believe that minor issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually starts in adolescence or childhood however it can happen at any age. It is twice as prevalent in women and those deemed female at birth as in men.

GAD can cause physical issues like headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also interfere with work and social activities, cause people to isolate themselves from family or friends and cause the loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe social anxiety disorder GAD are at a greater chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

Although the exact cause of anxiety disorder cure naturally isn't known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (cbt for social anxiety disorder) is a type of therapy that can help you to understand and control your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by engaging them. The use of medicines can ease certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to identify, but you should seek treatment in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the condition are apparent. It is simpler to treat it when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also experience chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is flaring ("heart palpitations"). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are not rational. This can cause problems in social situations, work or at 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 many worries about routine tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentration. They might also be concerned about their own safety or the safety of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that causes your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you understand how to manage your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It usually begins in childhood, but may also appear in early adulthood. It can manifest as anxiety in specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on date. It could also be more widespread and involve avoiding all situations that could result in being considered a failure.

The person with SAD may recognize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behaviours" to help lessen their anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy, such as drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can help balance the levels of certain 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 get treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated, and could cause mental health issues like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor to refer to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.

Specific phobias

A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia has a persistent and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. These fears are usually in contrast to the danger that the object or situation presents, but they may cause distress and hinder daily functioning. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around a single stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even crowds. The condition is widespread and is more common for women than men, and usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears, but the fear is still very real.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually outgrow them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on daily function. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In previous editions of the DSM adults were required to recognize their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people healthier ways of coping and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient might 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, playing with an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, before riding a crowded lift. Although this kind of therapy does not alleviate phobias however it can greatly reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating specific fears. People with specific phobias who try these therapies frequently experience better outcomes.