How Type Of Anxiety Disorder Changed My Life For The Better
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety are constant, chronic and interfere with daily life. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medications are effective treatments.
First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious at times and there are many good reasons for worrying about things like work obligations and financial obligations, as well as health. But when the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can impact a person's entire life. They are prone to believe that everything is worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those assigned female at birth as in men.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can interfere with work and social activities. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed however treatment can help treat both disorders.
Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known 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 an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved in the cause.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is various methods that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you to understand and control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to get help if you are experiencing anxiety and other signs of the disorder. It is easier to treat if you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood, are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can be anxious all the time, even when they know that their fears are irrational. This can create issues in social settings, at work or in school. People with anxiety disorders may also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family problems. They might also feel anxious, easily fatigued or have trouble concentrating. They might also worry about their safety or the safety of others.
There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to manage your worries and reduce the amount of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Although many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with daily life routines. It usually starts in childhood, but may also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, like speaking in class or going out on a date, or it could be more generalized, and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.
The person suffering from SAD might realize that their fear is irrational but still feel powerless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For example drinking alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.
Some people with SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. Antidepressants can help balance 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 has social anxiety disorder, it's essential to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak to an experienced crisis counselor.
One in four patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.
Specific fears
A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia experiences persistent and intense fear of one or more things, situations, animals or other people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the danger that the object or event presents, but they may cause distress and interfere in everyday functioning. Unlike generalised anxiety disorder of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared can be anything, from heights to dogs, flying to injections and crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world most often in men than women, and can start in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children who have specific fears typically get over them. However in the event that the fear persists into adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They exclude other conditions that can exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing a phobia. In earlier editions of DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event that you are afraid of. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They can then proceed to look at pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with toys, going to the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it may decrease the intensity.
Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also options to treat certain phobias. People with specific phobias that take these treatments often report improved outcomes.