Types of Anxiety Disorders
People suffering from anxiety disorders have trouble concentrating and can become anxious. They are also at higher risk of developing depression as well as certain health issues like thyroid issues.
A few times of anxiety are normal for instance, prior to taking a test or moving to an unfamiliar home. If anxiety becomes constant and overwhelming, you may require treatment. Most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point and this is an normal response to physical or psychological stress. For instance, if you notice a car speeding towards you your natural anxiety or fear response helps keep you safe by activating the "fight or flight" response. Your heart beats faster, blood flows to your muscles; you breathe more heavily and your body gets tense in case you have to flee from danger or defend yourself against threats. Some people suffer from excessive worry that is hard to control. This type of worrying is harmful if you are unable to carry out your normal activities, or if it interferes in your relationships, work or education. People with this problem have what is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD can affect people from all ages, but it usually begins in adolescence or childhood and persists until adulthood. It is more prevalent among women than in men. GAD is often linked to other psychiatric disorders like depression or dysthymia. They are also more likely to use alcohol and drugs.
Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn to manage your symptoms. It can be helpful to find a therapist that is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for GAD. It helps you challenge distorted thinking and to use relaxation techniques.
Short-term anxiety treatments are usually addressed with medications. Effexor Duloxetine, XR (Cymbalta), and escitalopram all can be effective antidepressants. Before starting treatment, talk about these medications with your doctor.
Social anxiety disorder, formerly known as social fear creates extreme anxiety and discomfort when it comes to social situations. You may feel that you're not able to speak to people around you or that they are looking at you. Some people suffering from this disorder are so anxious that they avoid social situations. Other people with this disorder suffer from selective mutism. This means that they only seem to be scared of certain situations, such as eating or speaking in front of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are a set of uncontrollable thoughts, images, or impulses that recur in your head and can cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions may be behaviors such as washing or counting. panic anxiety disorder can also be actions that you feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People with OCD often suffer from both obsessions and compulsions, which can take up hours of their day and affect their daily activities, relationships and work.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a problem for women, men and children of all ages. It can begin in the earliest years of life, however, symptoms are more likely to appear in the early years of puberty or young adulthood. OCD's exact cause is unknown however, certain brain activity is believed to be abnormal. It could be caused by an imbalance in the chemical serotonin, which determines your mood. A strong genetic component is also present. If you have one or more members of your family has OCD, you are about 25% more likely to develop it.
OCD patients often feel powerless to stop their obsessions and compulsions. They don't get pleasure from doing their compulsions, and they know they're not right, but they believe they have to act to prevent bad things from happening or to get rid of or ease the stress that their obsessions cause.
Although obsessions and compulsions can be difficult to overcome, there are numerous treatment options available to help. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), can improve OCD symptoms for the majority of people. In ERP, a therapist gradually exposes you to the things or situations that trigger your obsessive thoughts, such as touching objects that are dirty and helps you to resist relying on your compulsive actions (for example, washing your hands) in order that your anxiety decreases over time.
Certain people suffering from OCD might also be prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based and behavioural treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you learn to let go of your obsessional thoughts and takes away their influence over you, while meditative and relaxation techniques can help 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 and include symptoms such as pounding heart, sweating, trembling, nausea, chest discomfort, breathlessness, feelings of impending doom, and the belief that one is suffering from an attack on the heart. These episodes may occur after frightening experiences, or they can be spontaneous and unexpected. People with PD are also constantly concerned about the possibility of panic attacks in the future, and are cautious about situations they fear could trigger a panic attack.
Like other anxiety disorders, PD can cause significant stress and can affect your everyday life. Women and men are equally affected, however the condition is more prevalent among those who have experienced an event that was traumatic. It is also more likely to occur in those with a family history of depression or anxiety.
About 1 of 4 people who require treatment get it, despite the fact that there are highly effective treatments available. The lack of understanding about anxiety disorders, the lack of access to mental health services, and stigma surrounding seeking help are all barriers to treatment.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders may be similar to the symptoms of other ailments like hyperthyroidism or heart disease. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to obtain an evaluation and diagnosis. After determining if there is a physical cause, a certified mental health professional can suggest specific treatment options.
Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't completely understood, it is known that genetic and environmental factors play a part. Anxiety disorders can run in families, and they tend to be diagnosed earlier in those with an ancestral history of them. Moreover, there are many risk factors for developing anxiety disorders such as abuse in childhood and smoking. Some medications, such as diazepam or Valium, can also cause anxiety. Antidepressants like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can relieve anxiety, as can beta-blockers prescribed to treat heart conditions. Educating yourself about the different kinds of anxiety disorders and gaining knowledge about treatment can help you manage your symptoms and lessen stress in daily life.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People with social anxiety disorder have intense and persistent fears of being in public or around other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and be smacked of or rejected. They often develop a range of physical and emotional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and sweating, trembling nausea and difficulty speaking. Their fear of social situations can cause problems at work or in relationships. The disorder can cause a variety of psychological disorders, including depression
