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Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, consult your doctor to rule any physical issues out that could be causing symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times and there are many good reasons to be worried about things like job responsibility and financial obligations, as well as health. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts such as headaches or stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can hinder social and work activities. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is unknown however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well.

While there is no cure for GAD however, it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses different methods that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by challenging them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to seek help if you are experiencing anxiety or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be more susceptible to depression and other health issues like asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. 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 condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders may be worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about routine tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They may also be irritable and tired, or have trouble concentration. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to manage your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are several types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with normal life activities. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it usually starts in the early years of childhood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, such as talking in class or going out on dates, or it could be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being considered unpopular by other people.

The person suffering from SAD might realize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some people who suffer from SAD can benefit from medication. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can 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 essential that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety disorder. The condition can be debilitating if not treated and may cause mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to speak with a crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure whether you suffer from 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 suffers from a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be insignificant to the risk that the object or circumstance, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they are triggered by a single stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared can be anything, from dogs to heights, flying to injections and the crowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more common for women than men, and it tends to start in childhood or adolescence. People with specific phobias know their fears are irrational however this doesn't diminish the severity of their symptoms.





Children who have specific fears typically overcome them. However when the fear persists into adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. panic anxiety disorder exclude other conditions that can have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of DSM adults were required to recognize their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on altering the way people react to their fears and helps them develop healthier strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by imagining the object or event. They may then go on to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with toys, going to an animal park and viewing real snakes, before riding a crowded lift. This type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it may decrease the intensity.

Other options for treating specific fears include medication, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These treatments are generally reported to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.