The Best Advice You'll Receive About Types Of Anxiety Disorders
Types of Anxiety Disorders
People suffering from anxiety disorders experience difficulties concentrating and may be anxious. They also are at an increased risk of developing depression and certain health issues like thyroid issues.
A few times of anxiety are normal, for example before taking a test or moving to an unfamiliar home. But when it becomes constant and overwhelming, you might require treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication are effective in treating most anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Every person experiences anxiety at some moment in time. It's an expected response to stress, either physical or psychological. For instance, if you notice a car speeding towards you your natural anxiety or fear response helps keep you safe by activating the "fight or flight" response: your heart beats faster, blood flows into your muscles and you breathe more deeply and your body is nervous in the event you have to run away from danger or fight against a threat. However there are those who are plagued by anxiety that is difficult to control. This kind of worry could be dangerous when you are unable do your normal daily activities, or if it interferes in your relationships, work or education. People who suffer from this condition suffer from what is known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD affects people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in adolescence or early childhood and continues throughout adulthood. It is more prevalent in women than men. People with GAD frequently suffer from other mental disorders, including dysthymia or depression (less severe forms of depression). They also are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs.
Treatment for anxiety disorders usually includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can aid in managing your symptoms. It can be beneficial to find a therapist that is specialized in treating anxiety disorders . Cognitive behavioral therapy is most efficient for GAD. It teaches you to confront distorted thinking and to use relaxation techniques.
Treatments for anxiety that are short-term are typically treated with medication. Different types of antidepressants can be effective, including escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Consult your physician about these medications before beginning treatment.
Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) is a cause of extreme fear and discomfort in everyday social situations. You might feel as if you can't be able to speak to others, or feel that others are judging you or looking down at you. Some people with this condition have such extreme anxiety that they avoid all social interactions. Other people with this disorder experience selective mutism. This means that they are terrified of certain situations, like eating or speaking in the presence of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
Obsessions are a set of uncontrollable thoughts, images or urges that keep coming back in your mind, causing anxiety or stress. Compulsions are actions like washing, counting or even checking, that you feel driven to perform in order to ease the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People suffering from OCD often suffer from both obsessions and compulsions which can occupy the majority of their time and interfere with the daily routine like relationships, work and social activities.
Obsessive compulsive disorder affects men, women, and children of all ages. It can start in the early years but the symptoms are most likely to develop in early adulthood or during puberty. OCD's exact cause is unknown, but certain brain activity is believed to be abnormal. It could be related to an imbalance in serotonin, a chemical that controls your moods. There's also a strong genetic component; if you or your family members have OCD, there's about a 25% chance you'll be affected.
OCD sufferers often feel incapable of stopping their compulsions and obsessions. They are aware that they're wrong and don't appreciate their compulsions but feel compelled to act to avoid negative events happening or to avoid the anxiety that obsessive thought generates.
There are many treatments that can help. Most people can benefit from psychological treatment like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or exposure and response prevention therapy. In ERP, a therapist gradually exposes you to the situations or objects that trigger your thoughts, such as touching dirty objects, and assists you in restraining yourself from acting on your impulsive actions (for example, hand-washing) to ensure that anxiety decreases over time.
SSRIs are often prescribed to people suffering from OCD. These drugs boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other types of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based and behavioural treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to accept your obsessive thoughts and takes away the power they exert over you, while meditative and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) which is also known as panic attacks or anxiety is characterized by repeated episodes that last for minutes. Symptoms include trembling, sweating and nausea as well as chest pains and breathlessness. These episodes may occur in response to trauma experiences or simply. People who suffer from PD are also constantly worried about the possibility of panic attacks occurring in the future and avoid situations that they fear could trigger a panic attack.
PD, like other anxiety disorders, can create extreme distress and have a negative impact on daily life. It affects both genders equally however it is more common for those who have been through a traumatic or stressful event. It is also more likely to happen in those with an ancestral history of anxiety or depression.
About 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it despite the fact that there are highly effective treatments available. Barriers to care include a lack of awareness that anxiety disorders can be treated and treatable, inaccessibility to mental health services and the stigma that comes with seeking help.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can be similar to symptoms of other ailments like hyperthyroidism or heart disease. It is therefore important to see a physician in order to get an evaluation and diagnosis. A qualified mental health professional will suggest specific treatment after determining the physical causes.
While the causes of anxiety disorders are not yet fully identified, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a role. Anxiety disorders can run in families and tend to be diagnosed earlier in people with a history of anxiety in their family. There are a variety of risk factors that can cause anxiety disorders, including smoking or abusing children. Some medications, such as benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium can cause anxiety. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants may reduce anxiety, as can beta-blockers prescribed to treat heart problems. Learning about the various types of anxiety disorders and learning about treatments can aid in managing your symptoms and decrease stress in your daily life.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People suffering from social anxiety disorders have intense and persistent fears of being in public or around other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and experience humiliation or rejection. They often develop a range of physical and emotional signs like a fast heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nausea and difficulty speaking. Their anxiety about social situations can cause problems at work or in relationships. The disorder could cause other mental disorders, like depression or substance abuse.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an essential treatment for this condition. It teaches the patient new ways of thinking and behavior, which can lessen the anxiety. It can also help the person understand that their fears are not in proportion to the actual danger in the situation and they can control the way they react and behave. Exposure therapy, also known as cognitive delivered exposure is a different method of treatment. It involves gradually exposing the person to situations that cause anxiety, with the help of an expert in a secure environment.
Medications are also used to treat social anxiety disorders but they aren't considered a cure. Antianxiety medication, antidepressants and beta-blockers are all included. They are typically utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Research is ongoing to discover the causes of this condition and identify risk factors. It is known that certain genetic and environmental factors can contribute. Certain studies have also demonstrated that people with this disorder react more than others to certain hormones.
It is essential to seek treatment for anxiety disorders because they can have a serious impact on the lives of people. A general doctor or mental health professional can diagnose the disorder and recommend treatments. It can be hard to seek help and so it's beneficial to include a friend or family member in the appointment making procedure or to meet with other peers or a support group.
Some types of anxiety disorders can have a very negative effect on your life, and can increase the risk of depression, substance use, eating disorders and suicide. Contact an emergency helpline for suicide prevention for help if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide.