The Most Successful Type Of Anxiety Disorder Experts Have Been Doing Three Things

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but if the feelings are intense or ongoing and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious at times and there are many valid reasons for worrying about things like work responsibilities, money, or health. But when the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD have feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and can be difficult to manage. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, causing people to avoid friends or family and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two disorders.

The specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved in the cause.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can assist you in overcoming your distorted thinking patterns and decrease your fear by engaging them. Certain physical symptoms like dizziness or heart palpitations can be relieved by medications. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to recognize, but it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is much easier to treat if you seek help early, before the anxiety and physical symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This  anxiety disorder  is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms may be signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some research suggests they may be caused by brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can lead to difficulties in social situations at work, at home or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about routine tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to feel restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about their safety or that of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the amount of panic attacks you have. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, but it typically begins in childhood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going out on a date, or it could be more generalized, and include avoiding any situation that might cause being perceived as a failure by other people.

When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.

Certain people with SAD may benefit from medication along with psychological therapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, may aid in balancing the levels of 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 have social anxiety disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is hindered by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the various forms of anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person with a specific phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects or situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are often out of proportion with the dangers that the object or situation poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt daily functioning. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or overcrowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and it tends to start in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not unreasonable fears, but the fear is real.

Children with specific fears usually overcome them. However, if the phobia persists as an adult, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact the way they function in their daily lives. They are able to rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by imagining the object or event. They can then proceed to seeing pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, before taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These therapies are often considered to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.