Are You Confident About Doing Types Of Anxiety Disorders? Try This Quiz

Types of Anxiety Disorders People suffering from anxiety disorders experience difficulty concentrating and can be irritable. They also have a higher risk of depression and some health conditions, like thyroid problems. A few times of anxiety are normal for instance, prior to taking an exam or moving into the new location. But if it becomes constant and overwhelming, you might need treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), as well as medications are effective in treating a variety of anxiety disorders. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Everyone experiences anxiety at some point and this is an normal response to physical or psychological stress. For instance, if you see a car speeding toward you, your natural fear or anxiety response helps to ensure your safety by activating the “fight or flight” response. Your heart beats faster, blood pumps to your muscles and you breathe more deeply and your body is tense in case you have to run away from danger or fight against an attack. However, some people are troubled by excessive worrying that seems difficult to control. This kind of anxiety can be detrimental when it prevents you from doing your usual routine activities and hinders relationships, work or school. People with this problem suffer from what is known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD affects people from all ages, but it most often starts in adolescence or childhood and continues until adulthood. Women are more likely to be affected by GAD than men. People suffering from GAD often have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or dysthymia (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs. Psychotherapy and medication are usually used to treat anxiety disorders. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy can assist you in learning to manage your symptoms. It can be helpful to find a therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective for GAD. It teaches you to challenge the distortion of your thinking and employ relaxation techniques. The medications used to treat anxiety are usually employed as short-term remedies for anxiety. Several types of antidepressants are effective, including escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Before beginning treatment, discuss the medications with your physician. Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) is a cause of extreme anxiety and apprehension in social situations. It is possible that you're not able to speak in front of others, or that they stare at you from afar. Some people suffering from this disorder are so worried that they avoid social situations. Others who suffer from this disorder experience selective mutism. This means that they are 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 desires that keep coming back in your mind, causing anxiety or stress. Compulsions are behaviors such as washing, counting or checking, that you feel driven to do to ease the anxiety or stress caused by an obsession. People suffering from OCD typically suffer from both obsessions and compulsions, which can take up the majority of their time and affect their the daily routine like relationships, work and social activities. Obsessive compulsive disorder can affect women, men, and children of all ages. It can start in the early years, but symptoms are most likely to manifest when you reach puberty or in the early years of adulthood. The exact cause of OCD isn't known but it is believed that the activity in certain parts of the brain isn't as normal. It could be related to an imbalance in serotonin, a chemical that controls your moods. A strong genetic component is also present. If one or more members of your family have OCD, you are about 25 percent more likely to develop it. People suffering from OCD usually believe that their obsessions or obsessions are unjust and that they are powerless to stop them. They realize that they're wrong and don't appreciate their compulsions, but feel compelled to act to prevent bad things from happening or to avoid the anxiety their obsessive thinking creates. There are many treatment options that can aid. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), can improve OCD symptoms for the majority of people. ERP involves an therapist gradually exposing you to the things and situations that trigger your obsessional thoughts such as touching objects that are dirty. They also help you resist your compulsive behaviors (such as hand-washing) so that anxiety levels decrease with time. Some people suffering from OCD might also be prescribed selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, or SSRIs. These are medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological treatments include mindfulness-based and behavioural therapy, such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) or meditation. ACT helps you to let go of your obsessional thoughts and eliminates their power over you, whereas meditative and relaxation techniques can help manage stress. Panic Disorder Panic disorder (PD), also known as anxiety or panic attacks, is characterized by recurrent episodes that last for minutes. The symptoms include trembling nausea and sweating, chest pains and shortness of breath. These episodes may occur due to traumatizing events or happen spontaneously. People with PD also suffer from constant worry about the possibility of panic attacks in the future. They also avoid situations in which they fear they may trigger an episode. Like panic anxiety disorder , PD can cause significant distress and impact everyday life. It affects both genders equally but it is more common for people who have had an event that was stressful or traumatizing. It is also more likely to occur in those with an extended family history of depression or anxiety. Although there is highly effective treatment available but only one in 4 of those who require treatment receive it. Obstacles to treatment include a lack of awareness that anxiety disorders can be treated as well as a lack of access to mental health services and the stigma associated with seeking help. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder are often similar to the symptoms of other illnesses, including heart disease or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is important to see a physician in order to get an evaluation and diagnosis. A licensed mental health professional will suggest specific treatment after ruling out physical causes. While the causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood, it is known that environmental and genetic factors play a role. Anxiety disorders are often passed through families and typically manifest at a younger stage for those who have an anxiety history. There are a variety of risk factors that can trigger anxiety disorders, like smoking cigarettes or abuse in the childhood years. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety, especially benzodiazepines such as diazepam or Valium. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, and beta-blockers used to treat heart diseases can help reduce anxiety. You can treat your symptoms by understanding anxiety disorders, and you can ease the anxiety in your everyday life by learning about treatments. Social Anxiety Disorder People suffering from social anxiety disorders have persistent and intense fears of being in public or with other people. They believe that they will be judged negatively and feel humiliation or even rejection. They might experience a range of physical and psychological signs that include heartbeats that are rapid, sweating and trembling. Their anxiety about social situations can create problems in the workplace or relationships. The disorder could cause a range of psychological disorders such as depression and addiction to substances. This condition is treated with psychotherapy, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This teaches the person different ways of thinking and acting to lessen the anxiety. It can also help the person understand that their fears are out of proportion to the actual threat in the situation and they can control the way they react and behave. Exposure therapy, also known as cognitive delivered exposure is another method that works. It involves gradually exposing a person to the situations which cause anxiety, with the help of a professional in a safe setting. Social anxiety disorder can be treated with medication but they aren't considered as a cure. Antianxiety medication, antidepressants and beta-blockers are all included. They are usually utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy. Research is ongoing to understand the causes of this condition and identify risk factors. It is known that certain genes and environmental factors may contribute. In addition, some studies have found that people who suffer from this disorder have a greater than normal response to certain hormones within the body. It is crucial to seek help for anxiety disorders because they can have a significant impact on people's daily lives. A general practitioner or mental healthcare specialist can identify anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be difficult to seek help and it can be helpful to include a friend or family member in the appointment making process or to attend with other people in the same group. Certain anxiety disorders can have a negative impact on your life. They can increase the risk of depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide. Contact the suicide prevention helpline if you or someone you know is considering suicide.