Types of Anxiety Disorders

People suffering from anxiety disorders experience trouble concentrating and can become anxious. They also have a higher-risk of depression and certain health issues like thyroid issues.

It is normal to experience anxiety at times, for example before taking a test or moving to a new home. If anxiety becomes constant and overwhelming you may need treatment. Most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at some moment in time. This is an expected reaction to stress, whether physical or psychological. If you see a car coming at you fast, your anxiety or fear response can help you stay safe. It triggers the „fight-or-flight” response which means that your heart will beat faster, blood will pump into your muscles, you’ll breathe more heavily and your body will get nervous to prepare for a potential fight or a run. Some people, however, are plagued by anxiety that is hard to control. This type of worry can be harmful if it keeps you from completing your routine activities and interferes with relationships such as work or school. People who suffer from this condition have what is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

GAD affects people from all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in adolescence or early childhood and continues until adulthood. It is more common in women than men. People suffering from GAD often have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or dysthymia (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Treatment for anxiety disorders usually involves medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can aid in managing your symptoms. It can be beneficial to find a therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you how to challenge distorted thoughts and use relaxation techniques.

Medications to treat anxiety are typically employed as short-term remedies for anxiety. Several types of antidepressants can be effective, including escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Before beginning treatment, discuss these medications with your doctor.

Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) creates a sense of fear and discomfort in everyday social situations. It is possible that you are unable to speak to others, or that they are looking at you. Certain people suffering from this disorder are so anxious that they avoid social interactions in all forms. Selective mutism is another symptom of this disorder. It is a condition where people are scared of certain situations, such as speaking in public or eating in front of strangers.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessions are uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts or images that keep coming back to your mind and cause you stress or anxiety. Compulsions are behaviors such as washing, counting or examining, that you feel driven to do to reduce the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People suffering from OCD typically have both compulsions and obsessions which can occupy the majority of their time and disrupt everyday activities, relationships and work.

Obsessive compulsive disorder affects men, women and children of any age. It can start in the early years of life, but symptoms tend to manifest in the early years of puberty or young adulthood. The exact cause of OCD isn’t known but it is believed that activity in some regions of the brain isn’t as normal. It could be due to an imbalance in serotonin, the chemical that affects your mood. There is also a strong genetic component. If you or your family members have OCD there’s 25% chance that you’ll be affected.

OCD patients are often left powerless to stop their obsessions and compulsions. They are aware that they are wrong and don’t appreciate their compulsions, yet are forced to act to prevent bad things from happening or to avoid the anxiety that obsessive thought creates.

There are a variety of treatments that can aid. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can help to reduce OCD symptoms for the majority of people. ERP involves the therapist gradually exposing you to the situations and objects that trigger your thoughts of obsession like touching objects that are dirty. They also assist you to avoid the compulsive behavior (such as washing your hands) so that your anxiety diminishes over time.

SSRIs are often prescribed to people suffering from OCD. These are drugs that boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological therapy include behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you learn to accept your obsessive thoughts and eliminates their influence over you, while meditative and relaxation techniques can help manage stress.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder (PD) is often characterized by repeated episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach a peak within minutes and include symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, nausea chest discomfort, breathlessness, feelings of impending danger, and the conviction that one is experiencing an attack on the heart. These episodes may occur as a result of traumatic experiences or simply. People with PD also experience constant anxiety about the possible occurrence of panic attacks in the future. They avoid situations where they believe they could trigger an episode.

Like other anxiety disorders, PD can cause significant anxiety and affect daily life. It affects men and women equally but it is more common for people who have had a traumatic or stressful event. It is also more likely to happen in those with an ancestral history of anxiety or depression.

Although there is highly effective treatment available, only about 1 in 4 of those who require treatment are treated. The lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the poor access to mental health services, and the stigma associated with seeking help are all barriers to treatment.

The symptoms of anxiety disorders could be similar to the symptoms of other diseases like hyperthyroidism or heart disease. This is why it is essential to consult an expert for an evaluation and the diagnosis. A licensed mental health professional will suggest specific treatment after determining physical causes.

While the causes of anxiety disorders aren’t completely identified, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a part. Anxiety disorders tend to be passed through families and typically manifest at a younger stage for those who have an history of anxiety disorders. There are many risk factors that can trigger anxiety disorders, such as childhood abuse or smoking. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety, especially benzodiazepines such as diazepam or Valium. Antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, and beta-blockers used to treat heart conditions can reduce anxiety. You can manage your symptoms by learning about anxiety disorders, and you can ease the anxiety in your daily life by learning about treatments.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a constant and intense anxiety about being in the public eye or around other people. They fear they will be ridiculed or rejected and thought to be a negative person. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms like rapid heartbeats, sweating and trembling. Their fear of social situations could cause problems at work or relationships. The disorder may cause other psychological disorders, such as substance abuse or depression.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a key treatment for this condition. This teaches alternative ways of thinking, and can reduce anxiety. It can also help the person understand that their fears are not in proportion to the actual danger in the situation and that they are in control of how they react and behave. Another method that works is exposure therapy or cognitive delivered exposure, which involves gradually exposing the patient to the situations that trigger their anxiety with the help of an experienced therapist in a secure environment.

Medications are also used to treat social anxiety disorder, though they are not considered to be a cure. They include antianxiety medication, antidepressants and beta-blockers. They are usually utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy.

The research is ongoing to determine the causes of this condition and to identify risk factors. It is well-known that certain environmental factors and genes could be responsible for. Certain studies have also demonstrated that those with this condition react more strongly than others to certain hormones.

It is essential to seek treatment for anxiety disorders, because they can have a significant impact on people’s lives. A general practitioner or mental healthcare specialist can identify anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be hard to seek help and it can be recommended to include a trusted family member or friend in the appointment making process, or to join others in a peer group or support group.

Some types of anxiety disorders can have a negative impact on your life, and can increase the risk of depression, substance use or eating disorders, as well as suicide. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline for assistance.