How To Choose The Right Type Of Anxiety Disorder Online
Types of Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy. First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from. Generalized anxiety disorder Everyone feels anxious at times There are legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibility, health, or money. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can impact the whole life of a person. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common for women and in those who are born female. GAD can cause physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work activities, leading people to avoid friends or family, and contribute to a loss of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions. While the exact cause is unknown but it is clear that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved as well. GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of treatments that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and reduce your fears by confronting them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine. GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to get assistance if you begin to notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you control the physical and mental symptoms before they become a major part of your life. Panic disorder The anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. People who have this disorder may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart is beating or fluttering (“heart palpitations”). They are often concerned that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and may be at a higher risk of depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma. The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be caused by brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the condition. People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even when they realize that their fears are not rational. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in concentrating. A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience a variety of worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentrating. They may also worry about their safety or that of others. There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease panic attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups. Social anxiety disorder While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder causes such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with daily life routines. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, however it usually starts in the early years of childhood. It usually manifests as a fear of certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going on a date, or it could be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by other people. When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long run. They may also adopt “safety behaviours” to help lessen their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact. In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help balance 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 when they suffer from social anxiety. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also crucial to make sure that your doctor is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health in case you're not sure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen. Specific fears A person with specific fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the risk that the object or situation presents, but they may cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may range from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or crowds. This is a common occurrence, more often in men than women, and can begin in childhood or early adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded however this doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms. Children with specific phobias usually outgrow them, but if a phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining 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 earlier editions of the DSM adults were required to recognize 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 focuses on teaching people better coping mechanisms and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and constant exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient may begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They may then move on to look at pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding an object, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. This type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it may reduce its intensity. Other options for treating certain fears include medications such as antidepressants and anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These therapies are often reported to be effective by those who suffer from specific phobias.