The Best Type Of Anxiety Disorder Tips To Rewrite Your Life
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and interfere with daily life. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the kind of anxiety disorder you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety from time to time and there are good reasons to worry about issues like work obligations, health or money. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by dread and anxiety that can alter a person's entire life. They tend to assume the worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to females at birth as males.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also hinder social and work-related activities, leading people to withdraw from friends or family and cause an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.
While the specific cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well.
Although there is no cure for GAD however, it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes various therapies that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that will assist you in overcoming your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and decrease your fear by confronting them. Medications can help relieve some physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants, as well as some medicines to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to get assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you reduce the physical and emotional symptoms before they become a major part of your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and terror 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 fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing are signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or at school. People with anxiety disorders may also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may worry about a myriad of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family problems. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have difficulty in concentrating. They may also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.
There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but can also appear in early adulthood. It is usually manifested as anxiety over specific social situations, like talking in class or going on date, but it may be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could cause being judged by other people.
Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is not rational, they are unable to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behaviors" to help reduce anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.
Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, may help to regulate the levels of 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 left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 and speak with a trained crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated, but only about 1 of 4 people who require care receive it. Treatment is impeded by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.
Specific Phobias
A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. The fear may be unrelated to the risk posed by the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may be anything from heights to dogs to flying to injections to overcrowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not irrational fears but the fear remains real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, however if a anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms like agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and constant exposure to the feared object or circumstance. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at images of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking past an elevator), holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. While this type of therapy is not able to cure a phobia, it can significantly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat certain phobias. People with specific phobias that take these treatments often report improved outcomes.