Types of Anxiety Disorders
People suffering from anxiety disorders typically struggle to concentrate and are stressed. They are also at an increased risk of developing depression and certain health issues like thyroid problems.
It is normal to experience anxiety at times, for example before taking a test or moving to an unfamiliar home. But when it becomes constant and overwhelming, you might require treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), as well as medications, are effective in treating the majority of anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times, and this is usually an expected response to psychological or physical stress. When you see a car speeding towards you your fear or anxiety response can help you stay safe. It triggers the "fight-or-flight" response which means that 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 run. Some people are plagued by anxiety that is hard to control. This type of worrying can be harmful if you are unable to perform your daily routine, or if it interferes with your relationships, work or education. This condition is known as generalized anxiety disorder .
GAD can affect people of any age but it is more prevalent in adolescents and children. It can continue throughout adulthood. It is more prevalent in women than men. GAD is often linked to other mental disorders like depression or dysthymia. They are also more likely to misuse drugs and alcohol.
Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy may help you manage your symptoms. It can be helpful to find a therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective kind of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you to challenge distorted thoughts and use relaxation techniques.
Short-term anxiety treatments are usually addressed with medications. Effexor Duloxetine, XR (Cymbalta) and escitalopram all can be effective antidepressants. Talk to your doctor about these medications before beginning treatment.
Social anxiety disorder, formerly known as social fear, causes intense anxiety and discomfort when in social situations. It is possible that you are unable to speak in front of others or that they are looking at you from afar. Some people suffering from this condition have such extreme anxiety that they avoid any social interaction. The condition is also known as selective mutism. of this disorder, where people are afraid of certain situations like eating or talking in public, or even eating in front of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that recur in your mind, causing anxiety or distress. Compulsions are behaviors such as washing, counting or checking, that you feel driven to do to reduce the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. Obsessions and compulsions are typical among those suffering from OCD. They can consume a lot of time and interfere with relationships as well as work activities.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a problem for men, women and children of all ages. It can start in the early years of life, but symptoms are more likely to appear during puberty or young adulthood. The exact cause of OCD isn't known but it is believed that the activity in certain areas of the brain isn't as normal. It may be linked to an imbalance of serotonin, a chemical that regulates your mood. There is also a strong genetic component. If you have a family member or more who suffer from OCD, there's about a 25% chance you will experience it.
OCD patients are often left incapable of stopping their compulsions and obsessions. They are aware that they are wrong and don't enjoy their compulsions, but feel compelled to act to avoid negative events occurring or to alleviate the anxiety that obsessive thought causes.
There are many treatment options that can help. Most people are able to benefit from psychological treatments like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or exposure and response prevention therapy. ERP involves a therapy therapist gradually exposing you the things and situations that trigger your obsessional thoughts such as touching objects that are dirty. They also assist you to avoid the compulsive behavior (such as washing your hands) so that your anxiety decreases with time.
Certain people suffering from OCD may also be prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs increase serotonin in the brain. Other forms of psychological treatment include behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based treatments, like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to accept your obsessive thoughts and removes their power over you, while meditation and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach the peak in just minutes. Symptoms include as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, nausea and chest discomfort, breathlessness and a sense of imminent death, and the feeling that one is experiencing an attack on the heart. These episodes may occur after frightening experiences, or they can be sudden and unexpected. People suffering from PD also have enduring distress over the possibility of future panic attacks and avoid situations in which they think they might trigger an episode.
Like other anxiety disorders, PD can cause significant anxiety and affect the daily routine. It affects men and women equally however it is more prevalent in people who have experienced a traumatic or stressful event. People with a history of family or depression or anxiety are more susceptible to it.
Only about 1 in 4 people who need treatment are able to receive it, despite the fact that there are many highly effective treatments available. The lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the poor access to mental health services, and stigma surrounding seeking help are all obstacles to seeking help.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders could be similar to those of other diseases like heart disease or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor in order to get an evaluation and diagnosis. A licensed mental health professional can recommend specific treatment after determining physical causes.
Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't completely understood, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a role. Anxiety disorders are often passed on through families, and they tend to manifest at a younger age people with an ancestral history of them. There are also many risk factors that could trigger anxiety disorders, including smoking cigarettes or abuse in the childhood years. Certain medications, such as benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium, can also cause anxiety. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants as well as beta-blockers that treat heart diseases can help reduce anxiety. You can treat your symptoms by understanding anxiety disorders. You can lessen the stress in your daily life by learning about treatments.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense and persistent fear of being in the public eye or with others. They fear that they will be snubbed or rejected and be thought to be a negative person. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological signs that include heartbeats that are rapid as well as sweating and trembling. Their fear of and aversion to social situations could cause issues at work or with relationships. The disorder may cause other mental disorders, including addiction or depression.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is the most effective treatment for this condition. This teaches the person new ways of thinking and behavior to lessen the anxiety. It can also help the person understand that their fears are not in proportion to the actual threat in the situation and that they are in control of how they behave and react. Exposure therapy or cognitive delivered exposure is another method that works. It involves gradually exposing a person to situations that trigger their anxiety, with the help of a professional in a safe environment.
The use of medications is also to treat social anxiety disorder, though they are not considered a cure. They include antianxiety medication including antidepressants, beta-blockers, and antidepressants. They are typically utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Research is ongoing to discover the causes and to identify risk factors. Certain genes and environmental factors are known to contribute. Certain studies have also demonstrated that people suffering from this condition react more strongly than normal to certain hormones.
It is essential to seek treatment for anxiety disorders, because they can have a serious impact on people's lives. A general practitioner or a mental health professional can diagnose anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be difficult to ask for assistance, so it might be beneficial to involve a friend or family member in arranging an appointment or attend the support group or a peer.
Certain types of anxiety disorders can have a negative impact on your life and increase your risk of developing depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the suicide prevention hotline for assistance.