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Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but when these feelings are extreme or ongoing and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, see your physician to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the kind of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times and there are legitimate reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, health, or money. But when the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you may be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder called  generalized anxiety disorder   (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to think that they are the worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned to females at birth as men.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also hinder social and work-related activities, cause people to withdraw from friends or family and lead to the loss of self-esteem. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to experience depression However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the specific cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain also plays a part.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes different methods that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can help you learn to control your distorted thinking patterns and decrease your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be relieved by medications. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines along with medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize however, you should seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before physical and mental symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart beats or is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They are concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health issues, such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be caused by brain circuits that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety issues have a first degree relative who has the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a myriad of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family issues. They're also likely to feel exhausted or restless, have trouble concentrating and frequently worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will assist you in identifying the condition that is causing your symptoms and suggest the most effective treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you manage anxiety and lessen panic attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out in groups or individually.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with normal life activities. It typically begins in the early years of childhood, but it can also appear in early adulthood. It is usually manifested as a fear of certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going on a date, or it could be more generalized, and include avoiding any situation that might cause being perceived as a failure by others.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For instance, they might drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients who suffer from SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate 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. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders can be treated but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different kinds of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health when you're unsure if you have an anxiety disorder. You can also use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals, or other people. These fears may be insignificant to the danger that the object or situation but they can cause severe anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation could include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide, more often in men than women, and tends to start in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears, but the fear is still very real.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually overcome them, but if the fear persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In the past DSM editions, patients of adult age were required to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition states that it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on altering the way people respond to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure of the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by imagining the object or event. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, holding toys, going to the zoo, and looking at real snakes, before experiencing a busy lift. While this type of therapy is not able to cure a phobia, it can significantly reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

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