Anxiety Disorders Types
Anxiety affects everyone differently, but it is a real disease that can be treated. Treatment involves treatment and medication.
Most anxiety disorders result from a combination of factors, like genetics, childhood experiences, and stress caused by health issues or work. There are other risk factors.
Doctors can detect anxiety disorders through an exam that is physical, an interview and lab tests.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with GAD struggle to control their worry. They are preoccupied by concerns about money, health and family, and have trouble focussing their attention or developing an imagination. They are angry, frustrated, and have difficulty concentrating on other things. They may need to be reassured or avoid situations where they might disappoint others. Other signs include headaches, muscle tension and restlessness. They tend to expect the worst even though there is no reason to expect it.
Everyone experiences anxiety at timesfor example, prior to taking an exam or going to a job interview. These are normal feelings but if they continue to linger and disrupt your life it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by persistent anxiety, in contrast to the short-lived anxiety that is associated with fears.
GAD is more common in children and teenagers than in adults. Children with GAD are often worried about school or sport performance, about being social with their peers, and also about being secure in their daily activities. They often seek reassurance from their teachers, parents, and other adults. Even after seeking help, they often do not see relief from their symptoms.
Treatments for anxiety disorders consist of lifestyle changes, medications and psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on teaching relaxation techniques and helps to reduce the distortion of thinking that can cause anxiety. Buspirone, antidepressants and benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms. It can be helpful to alter your diet, stay away from stimulants like caffeine and other substances and get enough rest. It is essential to educate yourself and those closest to you about the type of anxiety disorder that you have. This will help you get the treatment you need more effectively.
The cause of an anxiety disorder isn't always clear, but genetics and experiences may play a role. Anxiety disorders are more frequent in people with a history or long-term stress, traumatizing events during childhood, chronic illnesses, and other mental health issues.
Panic Disorder
It's normal to feel anxious or fearful at times, such as when you're preparing for an interview for a job or when your child is taking a huge test. If the feelings are intense and persist for a long time or even longer you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. These disorders include panic disorder generalized anxiety disorder as well as specific phobias. These disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in America. Most start in adolescence, childhood or early adulthood. Certain people suffering from anxiety will overcome their issues and others may require treatment.
Your doctor can assist you in finding the best treatment for your anxiety symptoms. Your healthcare provider will first conduct a physical exam and inquire about your symptoms. They will want to ensure that there isn't any physical reason, such as thyroid problems or heart disease. They will also inquire about your family history of mental illness, as well as any medications or supplements you are taking.
People who suffer from anxiety disorders have a greater likelihood of developing them because of certain events in their lives, referred to as risk factors. These include a family background of depression or mental health illnesses and chronic medical conditions and a bad childhood experience, like emotional or physical abuse or neglect.
If you suffer from anxiety disorder, you might require treatment through psychotherapy or medication. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling which helps you to learn new ways of thinking or behaving. The most well-studied type of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps you identify and alter the thoughts that trigger negative emotions. Another form of psychotherapy is exposure therapy that helps you confront the people, situations or places that cause anxiety.
The use of medication can alleviate some of the most grueling symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as rapid heartbeat and trembling. Your provider will work closely with you to determine the most appropriate medication, dose, and combination for you that is safe and has no adverse negative effects. Beta blockers, commonly used for high blood pressure, may reduce anxiety symptoms by blocking adrenaline that causes them.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety sufferers fear everyday social situations like meeting strangers or speaking to strangers. They feel anxious about being judged by others, and fear they'll be judged or embarrassed. These fears are not rational however they can impact your life in a variety of ways. It is not shyness, which may be a normal reaction to certain circumstances.
The healthcare professionals employ various instruments and tests to determine if you are suffering from this illness. They will ask about your symptoms and the impact they have had on your life. They might also check your blood pressure as well as conduct a physical exam. This will help them determine if your symptoms are due to a medication or a health issue.
The cause of this disorder isn't fully understood. It seems to be a family issue, and there's a link between the disorder and the amygdala, a part of the brain that's overactive. Both genetic and environmental factors could be involved.
There are a variety of options for treating this condition, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medications. CBT helps you discover new ways to deal with your feelings and allow you to confront the things that scare you. You can also try exposure therapy. It involves gradually being exposed to the scenarios that trigger your anxiety, starting with the most comfortable situations and gradually moving to the most terrifying. The medication can ease anxiety and improve mood, but won't change the way you think.
Sometimes, these treatments do not work immediately. But you should keep trying until they work. Consult your doctor in the event that your symptoms don't disappear after some weeks. They might suggest alternative treatments or prescribe a different medication.
Support groups for people who suffer from social anxieties can be a great place to meet others who have the same condition. You can get objective honest feedback from others who have the same condition as you. You can also learn about how others deal with their fears and learn what has helped them. There are support groups in person and online. Be cautious when you seek advice from a group of individuals who have had similar experiences to yours.
Specific Phobias
A particular phobia is a strong, irrational fear of a certain object or circumstance. It can cause extreme distress that is not in proportion to the risk that the trigger can pose. People tend to structure their lives to avoid feared situations or objects. To be diagnosed with a particular phobia, the fear or anxiety must significantly affect functioning.
The fear may be triggered by looking at or thinking about the trigger. It may also trigger when you are in the presence of the trigger, for example when you walk through an object. Particular phobias are those that involve fear of insects, spiders, or animals (arachnophobia) as well as heights or flying, blood, needles or injections (trypanophobia and hematophobia).
The symptoms of phobias specific to a particular type are similar to those of other types of anxiety disorders, and can include anxiety, fear and avoidance. Some people with phobias also have a tendency to over-react or experience panic attacks when they are exposed to the object or situation they are afraid of. In some instances, the fear and anxiety is so great that it causes a lack of interest in daily activities.
Exposure therapy is the most common method of treating certain fears. It involves exposing the patient to a small portion of the fearful situation or object until the fear is lessened or eliminated. This kind of therapy is often coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy to help a person discover new ways of thinking about and cope with the fearful feelings.
People who are afflicted with phobias may also have symptoms of other mental disorders like agoraphobia, depression, bipolar disorder or substance-related disorders, as well as somatic symptoms and related disorders, and dependent personality disorder. It is essential to rule out these conditions before beginning treatment for a phobia.
Some people need long-term psychotherapy to address a specific phobia. Treatment for phobias can be done in several methods, including cognitive behavior treatment (CBT) or exposure therapy. Other options include hypnosis as well as a method known as modeling, in which the patient watches as a professional trained in the field interacts with the subject or event. Treatments such as short-acting sedatives/hypnotics (like alprazolam, Xanax), or beta blockers and benzodiazepines (or medications) that are commonly used to treat depression or anxiety, can be taken as needed to ease the anxiety that comes with thinking about or being confronted with the feared thing or event.