A Trip Back In Time The Conversations People Had About Types Of Anxiety Disorders 20 Years Ago
Types of Anxiety Disorders People with anxiety disorders often struggle to concentrate and are irritable. They also are at a higher-risk of depression and certain health issues like thyroid issues. It is normal to experience anxiety at times such as before taking an exam or moving into the new location. If anxiety becomes constant and overwhelming, you may require treatment. The majority of anxiety disorders respond to psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Every person experiences anxiety at some moment in time. This is a normal response to stress, either physical or psychological. If you see a car approaching you quickly, your anxiety or fear response can help keep you safe. It activates the “fight-or-flight” response, which means your heart beats faster blood will flow to your muscles, you'll breath more heavily and your body is anxious to prepare for a potential fight or a run. However certain people are plagued by excessive worry that is difficult to control. This type of worrying is harmful if you are unable to perform your daily routine or if it causes disruption in your relationships, work or education. This is referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and continues until adulthood. Women are more likely to suffer from GAD than men. GAD is often associated with other psychiatric conditions like dysthymia or depression. They are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and psychotherapy. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy can help you understand how to manage your symptoms. It can be beneficial to find a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you to challenge the distortion of your thinking and employ relaxation techniques. Medications to treat anxiety are generally employed as short-term treatments for anxiety. Effexor duloxetine (Cymbalta) and escitalopram all can be effective antidepressants. Talk to your doctor about these medications prior to starting treatment. Social anxiety disorder, formerly known as social fear, causes intense anxiety and discomfort when it comes to social situations. You may feel that you're not able to speak to others or that they stare at you from afar. Some people with this disorder are so nervous that they avoid social situations. Selective mutism is another symptom of this disorder. It is a condition where people are afraid 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, images, or impulses that recur in your mind, causing anxiety or even distress. Compulsions may be behaviors like washing or counting. They can also be actions that you feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety or distress brought on by an obsession. People suffering from OCD often have both compulsions and obsessions that can consume hours of their day and interfere with everyday activities such as relationships, work and family. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can affect women, men, and children of any age. It can begin in the early years of life, but symptoms tend to manifest in the early years of puberty or young adulthood. The specific cause of OCD is not known, but it's believed that some parts of the brain isn't normal. It could be related to an imbalance in the chemical serotonin, which controls your moods. A strong genetic component is also present. If one or more members of your family suffer from OCD you're about 25% more likely to develop it. OCD patients often feel incapable of stopping their obsessions and compulsions. They don't get pleasure from performing their compulsions and know they are wrong, but they believe they have to act in order to prevent terrible 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. 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 situations and objects that trigger your obsessional thoughts such as touching objects that are dirty. They also assist you to overcome your obsessional behaviors (such as washing your hands) so that anxiety levels decrease with time. SSRIs are also prescribed to certain people with OCD. These drugs boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based and behavioural treatments, like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT assists you in accepting your negative and obsessive thoughts and eliminates their power over you. Meditation and relaxation techniques are also useful in managing stress. Panic Disorder Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach the peak in just minutes. It can be accompanied by symptoms such as a pounding heart and trembling, sweating, nausea and chest discomfort, breathlessness and a sense of imminent doom, and the belief that one is experiencing a heart attack. These episodes may occur due to traumatizing experiences or spontaneously. People who suffer from PD are also constantly worried about future panic attacks, and are cautious about situations they fear could trigger a panic attack. PD as with other anxiety disorders, can create extreme distress and affect negatively daily life. It affects men and women equally however it is more common for those who have been through an event that was stressful or traumatizing. It is also more likely to occur in those with a family history of depression or anxiety. Although highly effective treatment exists but only one in 4 people who require treatment are treated. Barriers to care include a lack awareness that anxiety disorders can be treated, poor access to mental health services and the stigma that comes with seeking help. The symptoms of anxiety disorders may be similar to those of other ailments like heart disease or hyperthyroidism. It is therefore important to see a doctor in order to get a diagnosis and evaluation. After ruling out a physical cause, a trained mental health professional will recommend specific treatment options. Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't completely understood, it is known that environmental and genetic factors play a part. Anxiety disorders are often passed on through families, and tend to be diagnosed at a younger age people who have a history of anxiety in their family. There are also many risk factors that can trigger anxiety disorders, including smoking cigarettes or abuse in the childhood years. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety, particularly benzodiazepines like diazepam or Valium. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, as well as beta-blockers to treat heart conditions can reduce anxiety. You can control your symptoms by understanding anxiety disorders, and you can lessen the stress in your daily life by gaining knowledge about treatment. Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety disorder is defined by a persistent and heightened fear of being in public eye or in the company of other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and may feel humiliation or even rejection. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms like rapid heartbeats as well as sweating and trembling. Their fear of social situations can cause problems in the workplace or in relationships. The disorder may cause a range of psychological disorders like addiction and depression. This condition is treated with psychotherapy, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It teaches different ways of thinking, and can reduce anxiety. It helps the person realize that their fears are not in proportion to the real threat, and that they have control over how they react and act. Exposure therapy, also known as cognitive delivered exposure is another method that works. It involves gradually exposing a person to situations that create anxiety, with the assistance of a professional in a safe setting. They also use medications to treat social anxiety disorder but they aren't considered a cure. Antianxiety medication, antidepressants, and beta-blockers are all included. They are typically employed in conjunction with psychotherapy. Researchers are trying to determine the risk factors and to understand the root cause of this condition. It is well-known that certain environmental factors and genes may contribute. Some studies have also shown that people with this disorder respond more than normal to certain hormones. It is crucial to seek help for anxiety disorders as they can have serious consequences on people's lives. A general practitioner or mental healthcare specialist can identify anxiety disorders and recommend treatment. It can be difficult to ask for assistance, so it could be beneficial to include a family member or friend in making an appointment or to attend with an organization or peer. Some types of anxiety disorders can have a very negative effect on your life, and can increase your risk for depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicide. Contact the suicide prevention helpline if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide.