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An Easy-To-Follow Guide To Choosing The Right Type Of Anxiety Disorder
Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and interfere with daily life. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective treatments.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every now and then, and there can be good reasons to be concerned about things like job responsibilities, health or money. But when the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can alter a person's entire life. They tend to expect the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in adolescence or childhood however it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned to females at birth as men.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder the activities of work and social life. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However treatment can help manage both disorders.

Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known, it appears that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes in brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays a part.

While there is no cure for GAD, the condition is manageable by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises a range of treatments that help you identify and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you control your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medicines that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to recognize, but you should seek treatment in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you control the physical and emotional symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, intense fear and terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart beats or is flaring ("heart palpitations"). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing are signs of heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't known however, experts believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Some research suggests that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative who suffers from the disorder.

People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious all the time even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulty when it comes to social situations, work or at school. In addition, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentration.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a myriad of daily tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They're also likely to feel tired or irritable, have trouble concentrating and often worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to deal with your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. There are best meds for anxiety disorders of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with everyday life activities. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out for a date. It can also be more widespread and include the need to avoid situations that could result in being judged.


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 trigger anxiety, but this can make them more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance drinking alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some people suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These medications, also known as antidepressants, may help balance the levels of 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 when they suffer from social anxiety. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues like depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with an emergency counselor.

Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your doctor is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person who suffers from a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear for one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually not proportional to the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and interfere in everyday functioning. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders in that they involve anxiety about only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything, from heights to dogs, flying to injections and areas that are crowded. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often in women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not irrational fears but the fear is real.

Children with specific fears usually overcome them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on everyday functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that can have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a phobia. In previous DSM editions, patients of adult age needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them healthier strategies for coping. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by imagining the object or the situation. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding toys, going to an animal park and viewing real snakes, and then taking a ride in a crowded elevator. While this type of therapy cannot cure a phobia however it can greatly decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Other treatment options for specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These therapies are often considered to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.

Website: https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders