10 Type Of Anxiety Disorder Techniques All Experts Recommend
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety are chronic, persistent, and interfere with your daily routine. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety from time to time and there are good reasons to be concerned about things such as job responsibilities, health or money. However, if the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts like headaches and stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also hinder social and work activities, causing people to isolate themselves from families or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed however treatment can help manage both disorders.
Although the exact cause is unknown but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role in the cause.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is different treatments that teach you to recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, like 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 treat, but you should seek treatment if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This kind of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated, sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest discomfort, breathlessness or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They are concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs of heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, experts believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the disorder.
People with anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly even when they realize that their fears are not rational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or in school. In addition, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also suffer from tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in concentrating.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding routine tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have difficulty in concentrating. They might also be concerned about their safety or the safety of others.
There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and recommend the right treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you have. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with daily life routines. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it usually starts in the early years of childhood. social anxiety disorder treatment shows up as a fear of certain social situations, like speaking in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being judged by others.
While the person with SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still feel powerless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For instance drinking alcohol, avoid talking to others, or avoid eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication along with psychological therapy. These medications, also known as antidepressants, help to regulate the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment if they have social anxiety disorder. The condition can be fatal if not treated and may cause mental health issues like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 to speak with an experienced crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, low funding for mental health services and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your doctor is aware of 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 consult your physician to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.
Specific phobias
A person who is afflicted with a particular fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or other people. These fears are often out of proportion with the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may include anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide, more often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are unfounded, but this knowledge doesn't diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children who have specific fears typically overcome them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer required for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way people respond to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and constant exposure to the feared object or situation. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, holding a toy, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. Although this type of therapy is not able to alleviate phobias however it can greatly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options to treat specific phobias. These treatments are frequently considered to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.