Notes

How Type Of Anxiety Disorder Transformed My Life For The Better
Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if the feelings are intense or continue to reoccur and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, see your physician to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times, and there are many valid reasons for worrying about things such as job responsibility and financial obligations, as well as health. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD sufferers experience feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often hard to manage. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any time. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder work and social activities. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.

While the exact cause is unknown however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved as well.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is various methods that help you identify and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that can help you learn to control your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is difficult to recognize, but you should seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective as it allows you to reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of a heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't well understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties when it comes to social situations, work or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding routine tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to be tired or irritable, have trouble concentrating and often worry about the safety of themselves and 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 determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the right treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you have. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as 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

Social anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect everyday life. It causes intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in childhood. It may manifest as anxiety in specific social situations like speaking in class or going out on dates. Or it may be more widespread and involve avoidance of all situations that could lead to being judged.

When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long run. They may also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.


In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These medications, also known as antidepressants, 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).

If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's essential to seek treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening if left untreated and can cause other mental health problems like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone else you know has suicidal feelings contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.

One in four patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, low investment in mental services, and stigma. It's also important to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional in case you're not sure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear for one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are often in contrast to the dangers that the object or circumstance poses, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and areas that are crowded. anxiety disorder physical symptoms is prevalent throughout the world and is more prevalent in women than men, and usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood. Certain phobias aren't irrational fears however, the fear is real.

Children with specific phobias usually outgrow them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. They exclude other conditions that may have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the fear. In earlier editions of DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnosis process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event that you are afraid of. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or circumstance, then move on to looking at images of the subject, then taking steps towards it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This kind of therapy might not eliminate fear, but it could reduce the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options to treat certain phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who try these therapies frequently experience better outcomes.

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