Anxiety Disorders Types

Anxiety affects people in different ways However, it is a real illness that can be treated. Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy.

The majority of anxiety disorders are the result of a combination factors such as genetics and childhood experiences. Stress caused by health issues or work can also be a factor. But there are also other risk factors.

Doctors can detect anxiety disorders by performing a physical exam, an interview, and laboratory tests.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD patients struggle to control their anxiety. They are preoccupied by concerns regarding health, money, and family, and have trouble in focusing their attention or imagining. They are angry, frustrated and have trouble focusing on other things. They may seek reassurance and try to avoid situations in which they may fall short or disappoint others. They also may have physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, restlessness and heart palpitations. They usually expect the worst even when there is no reason to expect it.

Every person experiences anxiety from time to time, for example before the test or an interview. If these anxieties persist and interfere with your daily life, they may be indicative of anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by persistent anxiety, as opposed to the short-lived fear that comes with anxiety disorders.

GAD is more prevalent among children and adolescents than adults. Kids who have GAD frequently feel anxious about school or sports performance, having fun with their friends, and about being safe in everyday events. Parents, teachers, and other adults are frequently called upon to comfort them. However, despite seeking help, they often aren't able to relieve their symptoms.

There are many treatments for anxiety disorders, such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) as well as medications and lifestyle adjustments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on teaching relaxation techniques and helps to limit distorted thinking which can cause anxiety. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and buspirone can relieve anxiety symptoms. It can be helpful to alter your diet, avoid caffeine and other stimulants and get enough rest. Informing yourself and your loved ones on the specific type of anxiety disorder you suffer from will make treatment more effective.

Genetics and experience can be a factor in anxiety disorders . People who have an extensive or prolonged stress, traumatizing events in childhood, chronic medical illnesses and other mental health conditions are more at risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Panic Disorder

It's normal to feel nervous or anxious at times, like when you're about to attend an interview for a job or when your child is taking a huge test. If these feelings persist for a long time, or longer, you could suffer from anxiety disorder. These disorders include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias. They are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Most start in adolescence, childhood or early adulthood. Some people with anxiety issues will get over their problems but others may require treatment.

Your doctor will help you find the right treatment for your anxiety. Your healthcare provider will begin by conducting a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. They will want to confirm that there isn't any physical reason, such as thyroid or heart disease. They will also ask about your family history of mental illness as well as any supplements or medications you take.

Certain people with anxiety disorders have a higher chance of developing them as a result of certain circumstances in their lives, referred to as risk factors. These include a family history of depression or other mental health issues or a chronic medical condition or a negative experience from childhood, such as physical, emotional or sexual neglect or abuse.

You may need to undergo psychotherapy or medication if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps you learn new ways of thinking and acting. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most researched type of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders. It assists you in recognizing and change thoughts that trigger negative emotions. Another form of psychotherapy is exposure therapy which assists you in overcoming the situations, people or places that trigger your anxiety.

Medication can relieve some of the most grueling symptoms of anxiety disorders, like fast heartbeat and shaking. Your provider will work closely with you to determine the most appropriate medication, dose and combination that is safe and has no adverse consequences. Beta blockers, which are commonly used for high blood pressure, may reduce anxiety symptoms by blocking the adrenaline that triggers them.

Social Anxiety Disorder

People suffering from social anxiety disorder are afraid of social situations, such as meeting strangers or speaking to strangers. They are afraid of being judged and humiliated by others. The fears aren't rational and exaggerated, but they impact your life in many ways. It is different than shyness, which could be a normal response to certain situations.

The healthcare professionals use a variety of tools and tests to determine if you are suffering from this condition. They will inquire about your symptoms and the impact they have had on your life. They may also test your blood pressure and conduct a physical exam. This will help them make sure a medication or another health issue isn't the cause of your symptoms.

It's not entirely clear what causes this disorder. It seems to run in the family, and there's a link between the disorder and the amygdala, a part of the brain that's overactive. Inheritance and environmental influences are both involved.

There are a variety of options for treating this condition, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medications. CBT can help you develop new ways of dealing with your emotions and allow you to face the things that worry you. You could also explore exposure therapy. This involves gradually being exposed to the scenarios that trigger anxiety, starting with the most comfortable ones, and moving up to the most scary. Medications can help reduce your anxiety and improve your mood, however they will not alter your thinking.

Sometimes these treatments don't work right away. You should try again until you are successful. If your symptoms don't disappear after a few months, talk with your doctor. They might recommend other treatments or prescribe an alternative medication.

A support group for people with social anxiety can be an excellent place to meet other people who have this condition. You can receive honest, unbiased feedback from others who share your experience. You can also learn how others have overcome their fears, and what helped them. These groups are available in person and online. Be cautious when you seek advice from those in groups of support, because their experiences might differ from yours.

Specific Phobias

A specific phobia is an intense unfounded fear of a specific item or event. It can be a source of extreme anxiety, which is in contrast to the risk that the trigger could pose. People often shape their lives to avoid things or situations they fear. To be diagnosed with a specific phobia, the fear or anxiety must interfere significantly with functioning.


Fear can be triggered when you think of or see the trigger. It could also be triggered by being in the presence of a trigger, such as when someone walks by statues or watching a movie that includes a scene with the object they fear. A fear of animals, insects or spiders (arachnophobia) and heights, or flying (acrophobia); or blood, injections, and needles (trypanophobia or hematophobia) are typical examples of specific phobias.

Specific phobias have many of the same symptoms like other anxiety disorders, including fear, anxiety, and avoidance. Some people who suffer from phobias have a tendency to over-react or experience panic attacks when they are exposed to the feared object or situation. In some cases the anxiety and fear is so great that it leads to the person being uninterested in everyday activities.

Exposure therapy is the most common method of treating specific fears. This involves exposing the patient to small parts of the fearful object or situation until the reaction is diminished or eliminated. This type of therapy is often coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy to help someone discover new ways to think about and cope with the anxiety-provoking feelings.

Some people with phobias exhibit symptoms of other mental health conditions such as agoraphobia, depression or bipolar disorder, substance related disorders and somatic symptom and related disorders (particularly dependent personality disorder). It is crucial to rule out these conditions prior to beginning treatment for an phobia.

Some people require psychotherapy over a long period of time to overcome a particular fear. Treatment of phobias can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or exposure therapy. Other treatments include hypnosis or the technique of modeling, where a person watches a trained professional perform an interaction with the feared object or situation. The use of sedatives and hypnotics that are short-acting (like alprazolam, Xanax), or beta blockers and benzodiazepines (or medications) commonly used for depression or anxiety, may be taken as needed to lessen the anxiety that results from thinking about or being confronted with the thing or event.