Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and interfere with daily life. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, visit your doctor to determine if there are any physical issues that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will diagnose the type anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, and there are many good reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility or money, or health. But when the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to expect the worst and assume that minor problems will develop into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but can occur at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those assigned to be female at birth, as it is in men.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can affect the activities of work and social life. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a greater chance of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays in.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes different therapies that help you identify and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Certain physical symptoms like dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is difficult to identify and treat, but you should seek treatment if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is much easier to treat if you seek help early, before the anxiety and physical symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). disorders anxiety worry that their symptoms may be signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be at increased risk of depression or other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, experts believe that they develop from a combination of factors. Some research suggests that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety problems have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders may be worried all the time even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also suffer from tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as work responsibilities or family issues. They might also feel anxious and tired, or have trouble in concentrating. They might also worry about their own security or that of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that causes your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen panic attacks. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can hinder daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in the early years of childhood, but it can also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, like speaking in class or going out on a date, or it could be more generalized and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.


Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to help reduce their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few sufferers suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These medications, known as antidepressants, help balance the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to get treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated, and could cause mental health issues like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

One in four sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. These fears may be unrelated to the danger posed by the object or situation, but they can cause severe anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may include anything from heights, dogs, flying to injections to crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often among women than men and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just irrational fears, but the fear is still very real.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually overcome them. However when the fear persists as an adult it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms like agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They may then go on to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with toys, going to the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in a crowded elevator. While this type of therapy does not solve phobias but it can dramatically decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating certain phobias. These treatments are frequently proven to be effective by people with specific phobias.