10 Unexpected Type Of Anxiety Disorder Tips
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder that you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then and there are good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibility, health, or money. If the anxiety becomes constant and takes over your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience fears that affect their whole lives and can be difficult to control. They are prone to believe that everything is worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those assigned to females at birth as men.
GAD can cause physical problems such as headaches or stomachaches. It can make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, cause people to withdraw from family or friends and lead to a loss of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help treat both disorders.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known but they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain is involved in the cause.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is various treatments that teach you to identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. 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 confronting them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is difficult to recognize however, it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is easier to treat by seeking help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.
Panic disorder
The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing are symptoms of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression or other health problems such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the condition.
People who have anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even when they realize that their fears are unfounded. This can lead to issues in social settings, at work or in school. Additionally, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a variety of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you deal with anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. 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 disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with normal life activities. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could cause being judged by other people.
Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them more anxious. They might also develop "safety behaviours" to to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some people who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within 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. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with an experienced crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable however, only 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, low investment in mental services, and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider understands the various forms of anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health when you're unsure if you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific fears
A person with a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears could be unrelated to the danger posed by the object or situation but they cause marked distress and interfere with functioning in daily life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they involve anxiety about only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even crowds. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears but the fear is still very real.
Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However in the event that the fear persists as an adult, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect daily functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM, adult patients 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 certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient may begin by thinking about the object, or situation. anxiety disorder physical symptoms may then go on to seeing pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, holding toys, going to an animal park and viewing real snakes, before riding a crowded lift. Although this type of therapy does not cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who take these treatments often experience better outcomes.