The Top Type Of Anxiety Disorder Gurus Are Doing Three Things
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when the feelings are intense or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective treatments.
First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical ailments out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone feels anxious now and then, and there can be good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibilities, health or financial. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, causing people to withdraw from families or friends, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.
While the exact cause of anxiety isn't known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is various treatments that teach you to recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of therapy that can assist you in overcoming your distorted thinking patterns and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. The use of medicines can ease certain physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to diagnose, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you reduce the physical and mental symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. The sufferers may also suffer from chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at increased risk of depression or other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety problems have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.
People with anxiety disorders can be anxious all the time, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a myriad of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family problems. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have trouble in concentrating. They may also worry about their security or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect daily life. It causes intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It usually starts in childhood, but may also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.
Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still are unable to overcome it. They attempt to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to try to reduce anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoid eye contact.
Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, can aid in balancing the levels of 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 important to seek 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 to 741741 and talk with a trained crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 sufferers of 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 essential that your healthcare provider knows the different types anxiety disorders so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor to refer to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific Phobias
A person with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often in contrast to the risk that the object or situation presents, but they may cause anxiety and disrupt the daily activities of. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and the crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and it tends to start in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this does not lessen the intensity of their symptoms.
Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if the fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported 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, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on educating people about healthier coping mechanisms and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and constant exposure to the subject or event. The patient may begin by imagining the object or event. They may then go on to look at pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with toys, going to an animal park and viewing real snakes, and then riding a crowded lift. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it may decrease the intensity.
Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating certain phobias. These treatments are frequently proven to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.