Types of Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders have difficulties concentrating and may be anxious. They also have a higher risk of developing depression and other medical conditions, including thyroid issues.
It's normal to be anxious at times for instance, prior to a test or when moving into a new home. But if it becomes constant and overwhelming, you may require treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), as well as medication are effective in treating the majority of anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point. It's a normal reaction to stress, no matter how physical or psychological. If you see a car speeding towards you your fear or anxiety response can protect you. It activates the "fight-or-flight" response, which means your heart beats faster, blood will pump into your muscles, you'll breath more deeply and your body is anxious to prepare for a possible fight or a run. Some people suffer from excessive worry that is difficult to manage. This kind of anxiety can be detrimental in the event that it hinders you from doing your usual routine activities and hinders relationships, work or school. This problem is known as generalized anxiety disorder.
GAD can be a problem for anyone of any age, but it is most frequent in adolescents and children. It can persist throughout adulthood. It is more prevalent among women than men. People who suffer from GAD typically have other psychiatric disorders, such as dysthymia or depression (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs.
Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can aid in managing your symptoms. Finding a therapist with expertise in anxiety disorders could be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most effective for GAD. It teaches you how to challenge distorted thoughts and use relaxation techniques.
Treatments for anxiety that are short-term are typically treated with medications. Several types of antidepressants are effective, such as 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) is a cause of extreme anxiety and apprehension in social situations. You may feel that you're not able to speak in front of others, or that they look down at you. Some people suffering from this disorder are so worried that they avoid social situations. Selective mutism is another symptom of this disorder, in which people are scared of certain situations such as eating or talking in public, or even eating in front of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are uncontrollable and unwanted thoughts or images that keep coming back to your mind and can cause anxiety or stress. Compulsions may be behaviors such as washing, checking or counting that you feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People suffering from OCD often have both compulsions and obsessions which can occupy the majority of their time and disrupt daily activities, relationships and work.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders affect women, men and children of all age groups. It can be diagnosed as early as the early years but the symptoms are most likely to develop when you reach puberty or in the early years of adulthood. The exact cause of OCD is not known, but it's believed that activity in some parts of the brain isn't as normal. It could be caused by an imbalance in the chemical serotonin that controls your mood. There's also a significant genetic component. If you have a family member or more who have OCD there's a 25% chance you'll be affected.
OCD patients are often left powerless to stop their obsessions and compulsions. They don't enjoy doing their compulsions, and they know they're wrong, yet they believe they must do something to stop negative events from happening or to alleviate or escape the anxiety that their obsessive thoughts create.
While compulsions and obsessions are difficult to overcome, there are a variety of treatment options available to aid. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can help improve OCD symptoms for the majority of people. ERP involves an counselor gradually exposing you to the objects and situations that trigger your obsessional thoughts such as touching objects that are dirty. They also help you overcome your obsessional behaviors (such as hand-washing) so that anxiety levels decrease with time.
SSRIs are often prescribed to people suffering from OCD. These drugs increase serotonin in the brain. Other types of psychological treatment include behavioural therapies and mindfulness-based therapy such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) or meditation. ACT assists you in accepting your obsessive and negative thoughts and eliminates their power over you. Meditation and relaxation techniques are also helpful in managing stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is also referred to as panic attacks or anxiety is characterized by repeated episodes that reach their peak in a matter of minutes. The symptoms include trembling nausea and sweating, chest pains and breathlessness. These episodes can occur following terrifying events, or they could be spontaneous and unexpected. People suffering from PD also suffer from constant worry about the possible occurrence of panic attacks in the future. They avoid situations in which they think they may trigger an episode.
PD, like other anxiety disorders can cause extreme distress and have a negative impact on daily life. It affects both genders equally however it is more prevalent for those who have been through an event that was stressful or traumatizing. People who have a family history of depression or anxiety are more susceptible to it.
Although there is highly effective treatment available however, only 1 in 4 of those who need treatment receive it. The lack of understanding about anxiety disorders, the lack of access to mental health services, and the stigma that surrounds seeking help are all obstacles to care.
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder are often similar to symptoms of other diseases, including heart disease or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to obtain an assessment and diagnosis. After determining the physical cause, a trained mental health professional can recommend specific treatments.
Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't fully understood, it is clear that environmental and genetic factors play a part. Anxiety disorders can be passed down through families and tend to be diagnosed earlier in those with an ancestral history of them. Furthermore, there are numerous risk factors that can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder such as childhood abuse and smoking. Certain medications can cause anxiety, including benzodiazepines, like diazepam and Valium. Antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, as well as beta-blockers to treat heart diseases can help reduce anxiety. You can manage your symptoms by learning about anxiety disorders. You can ease the anxiety in your daily life by gaining knowledge about treatment.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People with social anxiety disorder are constantly afraid of being in public, or with other people. mixed anxiety and depressive disorder believe that they will be judged negatively and may experience humiliation or rejection. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological signs, such as rapid heartbeats, sweating and trembling. Their aversion to and fear of social situations could cause issues at work or in relationships. The disorder can cause a variety of psychological disorders, including depression and addiction to substances.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an essential treatment for this condition. This teaches alternative ways of thinking, and reduces anxiety. It helps the person understand that their fears are not in proportion to the actual threat, and that they have control over how they react and act. Another method that works is exposure therapy, or cognitive delivered exposure, which involves gradually exposing the person to situations that cause anxiety, with the assistance of the therapist in a secure environment.
Medications are also used to treat social anxiety disorders, though they are not considered a cure. These include antianxiety medications such as antidepressants, beta-blockers and antidepressants. They are typically utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy.
The research is ongoing to determine the causes behind this condition and to identify risk factors. Certain genes and environmental factors are known to contribute. A few studies have also revealed that people suffering from this condition react more strongly than normal to certain hormones.
It is crucial to seek treatment for anxiety disorders as they can have a serious impact on people's lives. A general practitioner or mental health professional can diagnose the disorder and recommend treatments. It can be hard to seek help and so it's helpful to include a family member or friend in the appointment-making process or to attend with other people in the same group.
Certain types of anxiety disorders can have a negative impact on your life and can increase your risk of developing depression, substance abuse eating disorders, suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can call the suicide prevention hotline for assistance.