6 Types of Anxiety – Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
In this article, we’ll discuss Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, and Agoraphobia. Using this information, you can decide if one or more of these disorders may be affecting your daily life. You’ll also learn about possible treatments. But first, it’s important to understand what each of these disorders means. Once you know your symptoms, you can start a treatment plan to address your condition.
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are quite common in older adults. Many people with GAD have felt anxious all their lives. Depending on their history, the disorder may have started during their adolescence or adulthood. People with GAD often worry about a wide range of situations, from upcoming exams to the safety of family members. Symptoms include panic attacks, restlessness, and muscle tension.
Symptoms of anxiety may include physical problems, such as headaches, indigestion, or dizziness. Sometimes, these symptoms are so severe that they interfere with day-to-day life. Physical symptoms may be sporadic and fluctuate over time, with symptoms becoming more severe when people are experiencing intense stress. Fortunately, medications and psychotherapy can be effective in treating GAD. However, it may take a long time before symptoms disappear completely.
A doctor will most likely recommend medication to help treat this condition. If it doesn’t improve with medication, treatment is available in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder can be effective if diagnosed early. While anxiety can worsen over time, the early intervention of treatment will provide relief from its effects and prevent the condition from progressing. People with generalized anxiety disorder often have certain personality traits that can increase the risk of developing this disorder.
2. Panic Disorder
The symptoms of panic disorder vary greatly from person to person. They may be severe, last weeks, months, or years, and can affect a person’s work, relationships, and self-esteem. Some people experience frequent attacks while others have symptom-free years. The symptoms may decrease or disappear altogether in some people as they reach middle age. While most people with panic disorder eventually improve, some may never recover.
A panic attack is a sudden, irrational fear of something or someone. A panic attack may start unexpectedly and peak within 10 minutes. Symptoms may occur in waves, and the sufferer may try to avoid the location or person that has caused them to panic in the past. Similarly, some individuals may develop phobias and avoid public places to protect themselves. Fortunately, there are various treatments for panic disorder that can help people overcome these episodes and live their lives more productively.
In general, people with generalized anxiety disorder have excessive worry and fear that interferes with their daily lives. Unlike anxiety triggered by a stressful life event, the person with a generalized anxiety disorder has trouble controlling their thoughts and coping with everyday activities. The symptoms of panic disorder usually last several minutes and may include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and feelings of impending doom.
3. Phobias / Specific Phobia
Treatment for phobias may include medications and therapy. However, some patients cannot completely avoid the phobic stimulus. Therefore, early intervention after a traumatic event may help treat phobias. Treatment for phobias may also include self-help measures such as meditation. But, before treatment, it is essential to understand what triggers the phobia and what steps can help alleviate anxiety.
When a patient presents with symptoms of a specific phobia, his or her physician will evaluate their medical and psychiatric history. A brief physical exam will also be done. While there are no lab tests to diagnose phobias, doctors may prescribe some tests to rule out other illnesses. A mental health professional will then evaluate the patient’s symptoms and recommend the proper treatment. A psychologist or psychiatrist will use various assessment tools and clinical interviews to determine whether a patient is suffering from a specific phobia.
While the onset of specific phobias is largely genetic, some people are genetically predisposed to developing them. The fear of an object may develop as a result of a traumatic experience, such as being bitten by a dog. Other people might develop phobias after witnessing someone else suffering from the same fear. It may also develop through observation or exposure to traumatic situations.
4. Agoraphobia
People who suffer from types of anxiety disorders include agoraphobia. This disorder can cause severe difficulty in social situations and lead to housebound behavior. A person with agoraphobia will avoid social situations at all costs, thinking it is impossible to leave once they experience embarrassing or panic-like symptoms. They may even never go outside again. A full cure for agoraphobia is possible. There are many methods available for treating agoraphobia, including psychological therapy and medication.
Anxiety disorders can affect anyone, but they can be especially devastating for people with certain phobias. In some cases, people with this disorder may not leave their homes at all, limiting their activities and negatively affecting their quality of life. While it’s temporary, the symptoms of agoraphobia can interfere with daily activities. It’s important to seek treatment if you suspect you have a phobia of public places. Mental health professionals can help you learn more about the disorder and its treatment options.
People with agoraphobia avoid situations that trigger them to have panic attacks. They may only leave the house with a friend or order their groceries online, and they may avoid supermarkets altogether. In the case of an agoraphobic person, it’s important to note that he or she may have experienced a panic attack in the past. In addition, he or she may also fear crime, terrorism, accidents, and illnesses.
5. Social Anxiety Disorder
The symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder start appearing when people become uncomfortable or fearful in social situations. These can range from avoiding social situations altogether to performing poorly in them. While some people are comfortable with public speaking or performing, others suffer from extreme anxiety about performing. No matter the cause, social anxiety can be crippling. Treatment for the disorder is available.
People with social anxiety disorder feel as though everyone is watching them. The fear and panic attacks are so severe that social interaction is nearly impossible. Many sufferers develop self-medication to treat the symptoms. To combat the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, the sufferer avoids social situations and seeks solitude to reduce the intensity of his or her feelings. This behavior often leads to further damage to the sufferer. In addition to the physical symptoms, social phobia can interfere with one’s intimate relationships.
Medication is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder. Certain medications can reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as embarrassing situations. However, some people may not respond to certain medications and may need to try several before finding the one that works. In many cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces the best results. Even though social anxiety disorder is a relatively common mental disorder, it’s important to be aware of the side effects.
6. Separation Anxiety Disorder
A child suffering from a separation anxiety disorder often experiences intense distress when their mother or caregiver leaves the room. This situation may result in repeated nightmares about the separation and physical symptoms when the child is separated from the parent. It is important to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a clinical condition, not just a normal developmental phase. If you suspect that your child may have a separation anxiety disorder, talk to your pediatrician about possible treatment options.
One of the most common triggers for separation anxiety is a loss or trauma, such as the death of a parent, caregiver, or close family member. Other triggers for anxiety include the separation from a beloved pet or caregiver, as well as a break from a romantic relationship. While these factors may be genetic, the patient’s environment may also be a major contributing factor.
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