Why Type Of Anxiety Disorder May Be More Risky Than You Thought

Types of Anxiety Disorders Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if the feelings are intense or continue to reoccur and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy. First, see your physician to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from. Generalized anxiety disorder Everyone is anxious from time to time, and there are many good reasons for worrying about things like job responsibility, money, or health. But when the worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by dread and anxiety that can impact a person's entire life. They tend to expect the worst, or believe that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female. GAD can trigger physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work activities, leading people to withdraw from families or friends and cause an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression However, treatment can aid in managing both disorders. While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well. While there is no cure for GAD it can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses different methods that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you to understand and control your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by challenging them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, like heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine. GAD is difficult to recognize, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat by seeking help early, before the anxiety and physical symptoms begin to take over your life. Panic disorder This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also experience chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is it is fluttering (“heart palpitations”). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing are symptoms of a heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism. Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition. People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. In addition, many sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating. A person with generalized anxious disorder may worry about a variety of everyday activities, including job responsibilities and family problems. They may also feel tired or irritable as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about their safety or that of others. The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. There are I Am Psychiatry of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be done in groups or individually. Social anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually starts in the early years of childhood, but it can be present in the early years of adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out for dates. It could also be more widespread and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being judged. The person with SAD might realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long run. They might also develop “safety behaviors” to help reduce anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact. In addition to the psychotherapy, some people with SAD can benefit from medication. These medications, known as antidepressants, help to regulate 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). It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment if they have social anxiety disorder. The condition can be debilitating if not treated and may cause other mental health problems like addiction and depression. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to an emergency counselor. One in four patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include lack of awareness that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider knows the various forms of anxiety disorders so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool. Specific fears A person who has a specific phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals, or other people. These fears may be insignificant to the risk that the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they involve anxiety about a single stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia can be anything, from dogs to heights as well as injections, flying, and crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent among women than men and tends to begin in the adolescent years or early childhood. Specific phobias are not unreasonable fears, but the fear remains real. Children who have specific fears typically get over them. However in the event that the fear persists as an adult it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. They exclude other conditions that can have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing a fear. In earlier editions of the DSM adults were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults. Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way that people react to their fears and helps them develop healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the subject or event. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They may then move on to see images of it, stepping into an elevator, holding a toy, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it can reduce the intensity. Other options for treating certain fears include medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These treatments are generally proven to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.