7 Essential Tips For Making The Most Of Your Type Of Anxiety Disorder

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, consult your physician to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious from time to time, and there are many good reasons to be worried about things like work responsibilities and financial obligations, as well as health. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder referred to as  generalized anxiety disorder . People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often difficult to manage. They are prone to anticipate the worst or assume that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can interfere with social and work activities. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to experience depression however treatment can help treat both disorders.

Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known, it appears that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays in.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses a variety of treatments that teach you to recognize and alter unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness could be alleviated by medication. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to diagnose however, you should seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the condition are apparent. It is simpler to treat it if you seek assistance early, before physical and mental symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms are signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other  anxiety disorders , including depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics such as childhood abuse, or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. Many people with anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or school. In addition, many people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as job responsibilities or family problems. 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 for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations, social anxiety disorder can cause such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with daily life routines. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in particular social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on date. It can also be more widespread and involve avoidance of all situations that could lead to being assessed.

When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they are unable to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For instance drinking alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few sufferers who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders can be treated, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person with a specific fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears could be insignificant to the danger posed by the object or situation, but they cause marked distress and interfere with functioning in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they are triggered by only one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from dogs to heights or flying, injections to flying and crowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more prevalent among women than men and it tends to start in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unfounded fears however, the fear remains real.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia, or social  anxiety disorder . In past DSM editions, patients of adult age needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better strategies for coping and altering their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or situation. A patient may start with thinking about the object or event and then move to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then riding in a crowded elevator. This type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it may decrease the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat specific phobias. People with specific phobias who take these treatments often report improved outcomes.