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Types of Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders often have difficulty concentrating and can be irritable. They also are at an increased risk of developing depression and certain health conditions like thyroid issues.
Occasional anxiety is normal, for example before taking an exam or moving into a new home. However, if it becomes persistent and overwhelming, you may need treatment. The majority of anxiety disorders respond to psychotherapy (talk therapy) as well as medications.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times and this is an normal response to psychological or physical stress. When you see a car coming at you fast, your anxiety or fear response can protect you. It activates the "fight-or-flight" response, which means your heart will beat faster blood flow will increase into your muscles, you'll breath more deeply, and your body is anxious to prepare for a possible fight or a run. Some people are plagued by anxiety that is difficult to control. This kind of worry could be harmful in the event that it hinders you from completing your daily activities and if it hinders relationships, work or school. This condition is known as generalized anxiety disorder.
GAD can be a problem for anyone of any age but it is more frequent in adolescents and children. It can continue into adulthood. It is more prevalent in women than in men. People who suffer from GAD often have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or dysthymia (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol.
Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy may help you manage your symptoms. It can be beneficial to find a therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective kind of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you to challenge mental distortions and also to employ relaxation techniques.
Treatments for anxiety that are short-term are typically treated with medications. Several types of antidepressants are effective, including escitalopram (Lexapro) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Before starting treatment, discuss these medications with your doctor.
Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) causes overwhelming anxiety and discomfort in social situations. You might feel as if you aren't able to be able to speak to others, or feel that people are judging your behavior or looking down at you. Certain people suffering from this disorder have such extreme anxiety that they avoid any social interaction. Other people with this disorder suffer from selective mutism, in which they only seem to be scared of certain situations, such as public speaking or eating in the presence of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are uncontrollable and unwelcome thoughts, images, or urges that keep coming back to your mind and can cause anxiety or stress. Compulsions are behaviours, such as washing, counting or checking that you are driven to perform in order to reduce the anxiety or stress caused by an obsession. People with OCD often have both compulsions and obsessions which can occupy hours of their day and affect their everyday activities, relationships and work.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects men, women and children of all different ages. It can be diagnosed as early as the early years but the symptoms are most likely to develop in early adulthood or during puberty. The exact cause of OCD is not known however some brain activity is believed to be abnormal. It could be due to an imbalance in serotonin, the chemical that affects your mood. There's also a significant genetic component. If you have a family member or more who have OCD, there's about 25% chance that you will experience it.
OCD patients often feel incapable of stopping their obsessions and compulsions. They don't enjoy following their compulsions and are aware that they're wrong, yet they believe they have to act to prevent bad things from happening or to alleviate or escape the stress that their obsessions cause.
There are a variety of treatments that can help. Psychological treatment, like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can help to reduce OCD symptoms for most people. In ERP therapy, a therapist gradually exposes you to the objects or situations that trigger your obsessional thoughts, such as touching objects that are dirty, and helps you to resist relying on your impulsive actions (for instance, washing your hands), so that anxiety decreases over time.
SSRIs are also prescribed to certain patients suffering from OCD. These are drugs that boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological therapy include behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based treatments, like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you learn to let go of your obsessional thoughts and eliminates the power they exert over you, whereas meditative and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is defined by frequent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that reach an extreme within minutes. Symptoms include as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, chest pains, shortness of breath or a feeling of imminent danger, and the conviction that one is having a heart attack. These episodes can happen as a result of traumatic experiences or simply. People with PD also experience constant anxiety over the possibility of panic attacks in the future. They avoid situations in which they fear they could trigger an episode.
PD, like other anxiety disorders, can cause significant distress and have a negative impact on the daily routine. Both genders are affected, but the disorder is more prevalent in those who have experienced trauma. People with a family history or depression or anxiety are more susceptible to it.
Around 1 out of four people who require treatment get it despite the fact that there are many highly effective treatments available. The barriers to treatment include a lack of understanding that anxiety disorders can be treated as well as a lack of access to mental health services and the stigma that comes with seeking help.
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder frequently resemble the symptoms of other illnesses, including hyperthyroidism or heart diseases. This is why it is important to see an expert for an evaluation and an assessment. A licensed mental health professional will recommend specific treatment after ruling out physical causes.
Although the causes of anxiety disorders are not yet fully identified, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors are involved. Anxiety disorders can be passed down through families and tend to be diagnosed earlier in people who have a family history of them. There are many risk factors that could trigger anxiety disorders, including smoking or abusing children. Certain medications can cause anxiety, particularly benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium. Antidepressants such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can alleviate anxiety, as do beta-blockers prescribed to treat heart problems. You can manage your symptoms by learning about anxiety disorders, and you can lessen the stress in your daily life by learning about treatments.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People suffering from social anxiety disorders are constantly afraid of being in public or around other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and be smacked of or rejected. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological signs, such as rapid heartbeats sweating, trembling and sweating. Their fear of social situations could cause problems at work or in relationships. The disorder can cause a range of psychological disorders like addiction and depression.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for this condition. This teaches alternative ways of thinking, and helps reduce anxiety. It also helps the person recognize that their fears are in proportion to the actual threat in the situation and that they are in control of how they react and behave. Exposure therapy or cognitive-based exposure is another effective approach. It involves gradually exposing the person to situations that trigger their anxiety, with the assistance of a professional in a safe setting.
Social anxiety disorder may be treated with medication but they aren't considered to be a cure. They include antianxiety medication including antidepressants, beta-blockers, and antidepressants. They are typically employed in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Researchers are working to discover the risk factors and determine the root cause of this condition. It is known that certain genetic and environmental factors could be responsible for. Some studies have also shown that people suffering from this condition react more strongly than normal to certain hormones.
It is essential to seek treatment for anxiety disorders because they can have a serious impact on people's lives. A general practitioner or a mental health specialist can identify anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be difficult to seek help, so it is beneficial to include a friend or family member during the appointment process, or to join other peers or a support group.
Some types of anxiety disorders can have a negative impact on your life, and can increase your risk of developing depression, substance use eating disorders, suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can call the suicide prevention hotline for help.