Types Of Anxiety Disorders The Process Isn't As Hard As You Think
Types of Anxiety Disorders
People suffering from anxiety disorders have difficulty concentrating and can be angry. They also have a higher risk of depression as well as some health conditions, like thyroid problems.
Occasional anxiety is normal such as before taking an exam or moving to a new home. When anxiety becomes constant and overwhelming you may need treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), as well as medication are effective in treating a variety of anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Every person experiences anxiety at times and this is an normal response to psychological or physical stress. For example, when you notice a car speeding towards you, your natural fear or anxiety response helps to ensure your safety by activating the "fight or flight" response. Your heart beats faster; blood flows to your muscles and you breathe harder; and your body becomes anxious in the event that you need to flee from danger or fight an attack. Some people, however, are plagued by anxiety that is hard to control. This type of worry can be detrimental in the event that it hinders you from doing your usual routine activities and affects relationships such as work or school. People suffering from this disorder have what is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD can affect people of any age but it is more frequent in adolescents and children. It can last into adulthood. Iam Psychiatry are more likely to suffer from GAD than men. GAD is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as depression or dysthymia. They are also more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
Psychotherapy and medications are typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can aid in managing your symptoms. It can be helpful to find a therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most effective for GAD. It helps you challenge distorted thinking and to use relaxation techniques.
The medications used to treat anxiety are generally employed as short-term treatments for anxiety. Effexor duloxetine (Cymbalta) and escitalopram can all be effective antidepressants. Before beginning treatment, discuss these medications with your doctor.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social fear, is a source of extreme anxiety and discomfort in social situations. It is possible that you're not able to speak to people around you, or that they stare at you from afar. Some people with this condition suffer from such anxiety that they avoid all social interactions. Selective Mutism is another sign of this disorder. It is a condition where people are afraid of certain situations, such as speaking in public or eating in front strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
Obsessions are unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts, images or desires that recur in your head and can cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are behaviors like washing, counting or examining that you are compelled to do to lessen the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People with OCD often have both obsessions and compulsions, which can take up hours of their day and affect their the daily routine like relationships, work and social activities.
Obsessive compulsive disorder can affect men, women and children of any age. It can be diagnosed as early as the earliest years of life, however, 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 the activity in certain areas of the brain isn't normal. It could be caused by an imbalance in the chemical serotonin, which regulates your mood. There's also a significant genetic component. If one or more family members have OCD, there's about 25% chance that you'll be affected.
OCD patients often feel powerless to stop their compulsions and obsessions. They realize that they're wrong and don't like their compulsions, yet are compelled to take action to prevent bad things from happening or to escape the anxiety that obsessive thought causes.
While obsessions and compulsions are difficult to overcome, there are numerous solutions available to aid. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), can improve OCD symptoms for a majority of people. In ERP, your therapist gradually exposes to the situations or objects that trigger your thoughts, such as touching objects that are dirty, and assists you in restraining yourself from acting on your compulsive actions (for example, hand-washing) to ensure that anxiety levels decrease over time.
Some people with OCD may also be prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These are drugs that boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological therapy include mindfulness-based and behavioural treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to let go of your obsessional thoughts and takes away the power they exert over you, whereas meditative and relaxation techniques can help manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is defined by frequent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach the peak in just minutes. Symptoms include as pounding heart, sweating, trembling and chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling of imminent danger, and the conviction that one is experiencing a heart attack. These episodes may occur after frightening events, or they could occur in a sudden and unexpected manner. People suffering from PD also suffer from constant worry about the possible occurrence of future panic attacks and avoid situations in which they think they might trigger an episode.
PD, like other anxiety disorders, can create extreme distress and have a negative impact on daily life. It affects both genders equally, but it is more common for people who have had trauma or a stressful experience. People with a family history or anxiety or depression are also more susceptible to it.
Although there is highly effective treatment available but only one in 4 people who require treatment receive it. The barriers to treatment include a lack awareness that anxiety disorders are treatable, poor access to mental health services and the stigma that comes with seeking help.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders may be similar to the symptoms of other illnesses such as hyperthyroidism or heart disease. This is why it's crucial to visit a doctor for an evaluation and a diagnosis. A licensed mental health professional will recommend specific treatment after ruling out physical causes.
Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't fully understood, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a part. Anxiety disorders can be passed down through families and tend to be diagnosed at a younger age in those with a family history of them. There are a variety of risk factors that could lead to anxiety disorders, including smoking cigarettes or abuse in the childhood years. Certain medications, such as benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium can cause anxiety. Antidepressants like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants are able to relieve anxiety, as can beta-blockers that are used to treat heart conditions. You can control your symptoms by understanding anxiety disorders, and you can reduce the distress in your everyday life by learning about treatments.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People suffering from social anxiety disorder have persistent and intense fears of being in public or around other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and may be smacked of or rejected. They often develop a range of physical and emotional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty speaking. Their fear of and aversion to social situations can cause problems at work or with relationships. The disorder can lead to other mental disorders, like substance abuse or depression.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an essential treatment for this condition. This helps to teach alternative ways of thinking and can reduce anxiety. It helps the person recognize that their fears aren't in proportion to the real threat and that they have control over the way they behave and react. Another approach that is effective is exposure therapy, also known as cognitive delivered exposure. It involves gradually exposing the patient to situations that cause anxiety, with the assistance of the therapist in a secure environment.
The use of medications is also to treat social anxiety disorders, though they are not considered a cure. They include antianxiety medication such as antidepressants, beta-blockers and antidepressants. They are typically used in combination with psychotherapy.
Researchers are working to discover the risk factors and determine the causes of this condition. It is believed that certain environmental factors and genes may contribute. Additionally, studies have revealed that those with this disorder have a greater than normal reaction to certain hormones in the body.
It is crucial to seek treatment for anxiety disorders because they can have a significant impact on the daily lives of people. A general doctor or mental health professional can identify the condition and suggest treatments. It isn't easy to ask for help, so it may be beneficial to involve your family member or friend in scheduling an appointment, or to attend with an organization or peer.
Some anxiety disorders can have a negative effect on your life. They could increase your risk of suffering from depression or substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicide. Contact an emergency helpline for suicide prevention if you or someone you love is contemplating suicide.