Anxiety Disorders Types
Anxiety is a real disease that can be treated. Treatment includes medication and psychotherapy.
The majority of anxiety disorders are the result of by a combination of factors like genetics and childhood experiences. Stress due to health issues or work is also an element. However, there are other risk factors.
Doctors can determine whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder by performing an examination of the body as well as an interview and lab tests.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD sufferers struggle to manage their worry. They are preoccupied with concerns regarding health, money and family, and have trouble focusing their attention or imagination on other things. Their anxiety affects their daily activities and can cause stress as well as fatigue, discomfort and anger. They may need to be reassured or avoid situations where they could disappoint others. Other symptoms include headaches, tension in the muscles and agitation. They are prone to expecting the worst, even if there is little or no reason to do so.
Every person has anxiety from time to time, for example before the test or an interview. These are normal feelings however, if they last and cause disruption to your life it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by a long-lasting anxiety, as opposed to the temporary anxiety that is associated with anxiety disorders.
GAD is more common in children and teenagers than in adults. Children with GAD are often worried about school or sport performance, socializing with peers, and also about being secure at all times. They frequently seek comfort from their teachers, parents, and other adults. They usually do not receive relief from symptoms despite seeking help.
There are many ways to treat anxiety disorders, such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) medication, as well as lifestyle modifications. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, concentrates on teaching you relaxation techniques and helping you learn how to control your distorted thinking that leads to anxious feelings. Buspirone, antidepressants and benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms. Changing your diet by avoiding caffeine and other stimulants, and getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can be helpful. It is essential to educate yourself and those closest to you about the type of anxiety disorder you have. This will help you get the treatment you need more effectively.
Genetics and experience can play a part in anxiety disorder s. People with an history of extreme or prolonged stress, traumatizing experiences in childhood, chronic medical conditions and other mental health conditions are more likely to be at risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
Panic Disorder
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious and scared for instance, when you're about to attend an interview for a job. Or perhaps your child is getting ready to take a major test. If the feelings persist for a period of time, or longer, then you might be suffering from anxiety disorder. These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias. They are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. The majority begin in childhood the adolescent years, or in early adulthood. Certain people with anxiety issues will overcome their issues, while others may need treatment.
Your doctor can assist you in finding the best treatment for your anxiety symptoms. Your healthcare professional will perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. They will be looking to determine if there isn't any physical cause, like heart disease or a thyroid problem. They will also ask you about your family's history of mental illness, as well as any medications or supplements you are taking.
Some people who have anxiety disorders have a greater chance of developing them because of certain events in their life, called risk factors. This could include the family history of depression or other mental health conditions as well as a chronic medical condition and a negative experience in childhood, such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect.
You may need to undergo medication or psychotherapy if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that assists you to discover new ways of thinking or behaving. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most studied form of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders. It teaches you to identify the patterns of thought that trigger anxiety and changes them. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy that assists you to confront the situations, people, or places that trigger anxiety.
Medication can help relieve some of the most depressing anxiety symptoms, such as rapid pulse and trembling. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right dosage, medication, and combination for you that is safe and has no adverse effects. Beta blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. They can reduce anxiety by blocking the adrenaline hormone that is the cause of anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People suffering from social anxiety disorder fear social situations that are commonplace, like meeting strangers or speaking to strangers. They are afraid of being judged and criticized by others. These fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they impact your life in many ways. It is different than shyness, which is an normal reaction to certain situations.
Healthcare providers often use a combination of tests and tools to determine if you suffer from this condition. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. They can also check your blood pressure and do physical examination. This will allow them to determine if your symptoms are caused by a medication, or an illness.
It's not entirely clear what causes this disorder. It seems to be a family issue, and there's a link between the disorder and the amygdala part of the brain that's overactive. Inheritance and environmental factors are likely both involved.
There are many treatment options available for this disorder. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and antidepressant medications. CBT helps you learn new ways to deal with your feelings and allow you to face the things that scare you. You can also try exposure therapy. This involves slowly being exposed to situations that trigger your anxiety, beginning with the most comfortable ones, and gradually moving to the most scary. Medications can help reduce anxiety and improve your mood, however they will not alter your mental outlook.
Sometimes these treatments don't work immediately. However, you should continue to try until they work. Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not disappear after some weeks. They may recommend alternative treatments or prescribe a different medication.
A support group for people with social anxiety may be an excellent place to meet other people who have this condition. You can receive honest, objective feedback from people who share your experience. You can also learn how others manage their fears and learn what has helped them. There are support groups in person and online. You should be cautious when you take advice from a group of individuals who have had similar experiences to yours.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense fear and irrational in response to an object or situation. It can be a source of extreme anxiety and is not in proportion to the risk that the trigger poses. People tend to structure their lives to avoid things or situations they fear. To be diagnosed the anxiety or fear must be a significant obstacle to functioning.
The fear may be triggered by observing or thinking about the trigger. It could be triggered in the presence of something that triggers it, such as the moment someone walks past a statue or watching a movie which includes a scene featuring the object they fear. A fear of insects, animals or spiders (arachnophobia) and heights, or flying (acrophobia) or blood, injections and needles (trypanophobia or hemotophobia) are typical examples of specific phobias.
The symptoms of phobias specific to a particular type are similar to those of other types of anxiety disorders and include anxiety, fear, and avoidance. People with phobias may also have a tendency to over-react or have panic attacks when they are exposed to the object or situation they are afraid of. In some cases anxiety and fear become so intense that they cause a person to lose interest in their daily routines.
The most commonly used treatment for phobias that are specific to you is exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing the patient to parts of the feared object or circumstance until their reaction is lessened or completely eliminated. This type of therapy usually involves cognitive behavioral therapy in order to assist the patient in learning new ways of thinking about and dealing with the anxiety.
People who are afflicted with phobias may also exhibit symptoms of other mental conditions like agoraphobia or depression, bipolar disorder or substance-related disorders, as well as somatic symptoms and related disorders, and dependent personality disorder. It is important to rule out these conditions prior to beginning treatment for the fear.
For some, long-term psychotherapy is needed to tackle a particular phobia. There are several methods used to treat phobias, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Other treatments can include hypnosis and a method known as modeling, in which the patient observes as a trained professional interacts with the object or situation. Medications like short-acting sedatives/hypnotics, beta blockers, benzodiazepines, or drugs commonly used to treat depression or anxiety are a good option to reduce the anxiety associated with anxiety that is anticipatory.