An In-Depth Look Back How People Discussed Types Of Anxiety Disorders 20 Years Ago Types of Anxiety Disorders

People with anxiety disorders frequently have difficulty concentrating and can be anxious. They also are at a higher-risk of depression and certain medical conditions, such as thyroid issues.

It's normal to feel anxious at times for instance, prior to an exam or when moving into a new house. When anxiety becomes overwhelming and persistent it is possible to require treatment. The majority of anxiety disorders respond to psychotherapy (talk therapy) as well as medications.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point. It's a normal reaction to stress, whether physical or psychological. For instance, if you see a car speeding toward you your natural fear or anxiety response helps to keep you safe by activating the "fight or flight" response: your heart beats faster, blood pumps to your muscles and you breathe harder and your body gets anxious in the event that you need to flee from danger or defend yourself against threats. However certain people are plagued by excessive worrying that seems impossible to control. This kind of anxiety can be detrimental when it prevents you from engaging in your normal routine and interferes with relationships such as work or school. This problem is known as generalized anxiety disorder.

GAD can affect people of any age however it is most frequent in adolescents and children. It can last throughout adulthood. Women are more likely to suffer from GAD than men. GAD is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as depression or dysthymia. They are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol.

Treatment for anxiety disorders usually includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can aid in managing your symptoms. It can be beneficial to find a therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you to confront the distortion of your thinking and employ relaxation techniques.

Short-term anxiety treatments are usually treated with medications. There are a variety of antidepressants that are effective, such as escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Before starting treatment, talk about these medications with your doctor.

Social anxiety disorder, formerly known as social fear causes intense anxiety and discomfort when in social situations. You may feel that you are unable to speak in front of others or that they stare at you from afar. Some people suffering from this condition have such extreme anxiety that they avoid social interactions in all forms. Selective mutism is another symptom of this disorder, where people are scared of certain situations like eating in public or speaking in front of strangers.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessions are uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts or images that keep coming back to your mind and cause you stress or anxiety. Compulsions are behaviors like washing, counting or examining, that you feel driven to do to ease the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. People with OCD typically have both obsessions and compulsions, which can take up hours of their day and disrupt everyday activities such as relationships, work and family.

Obsessive compulsive disorder affects men, women and children of any age. It can be diagnosed as early as the early years but the symptoms are most likely to manifest when you reach puberty or in the early years of adulthood. The exact cause of OCD is unknown but it is believed that activity in some parts of the brain isn't as normal. It could be due to an imbalance in the chemical serotonin, which determines your mood. A strong genetic component is also present. If you have one or more members of your family has OCD, you are about 25% more likely to develop it.


OCD sufferers often feel incapable of stopping their obsessions and compulsions. They don't get pleasure from performing their compulsions and know they're wrong, yet they believe they must do something in order to prevent bad things from happening or to escape or relieve the anxiety that their obsessive thoughts create.

Although obsessions and compulsions can be difficult to overcome, there are many treatment options available to aid. Psychological treatment, like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), can improve OCD symptoms for a majority of people. ERP involves the counselor gradually exposing you to the objects and situations that trigger your obsessional thoughts such as touching objects that are dirty. They also assist you to avoid the compulsive behavior (such as washing your hands) to ensure that your anxiety diminishes over time.

SSRIs are also prescribed to some people with OCD. These medications increase serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological therapy include mindfulness-based and behavioural therapies, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to accept your thoughts that are obsessive and eliminates the power they exert over you, while meditative and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that reach the peak in just minutes. It can be accompanied by symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, chest discomfort, breathlessness, feelings of impending death, and the feeling that one is suffering from a heart attack. These episodes may occur due to traumatizing experiences or spontaneously. People who suffer from PD are also constantly concerned about the possibility of panic attacks occurring in the future and are cautious about situations they think might trigger one.

Like medication for anxiety disorder and depression , PD can cause significant distress and impact the daily routine. It affects both genders equally but it is more common for people who have had trauma or a stressful experience. It is also more likely to happen in those with a family history of anxiety or depression.

Although there is highly effective treatment available however, only 1 in 4 people who require treatment are treated. Obstacles to treatment include a lack awareness that anxiety disorders are treatable as well as a lack of access to mental health services and the stigma associated with seeking help.

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder often mimic symptoms of other diseases such as hyperthyroidism or heart diseases. This is why it is crucial to visit the doctor for an assessment and an assessment. A qualified mental health professional can recommend specific treatment after determining the physical causes.

Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren't completely understood, it is clear that environmental and genetic factors are involved. Anxiety disorders are often passed through families and tend to develop at a younger age for those who have an history of anxiety disorders. Additionally, there are a variety of risk factors for developing anxiety disorders, like childhood abuse and smoking. Certain medications can cause anxiety, particularly benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium. Antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, as well as beta-blockers that treat heart conditions can reduce anxiety. You can treat your symptoms by learning about anxiety disorders. You can ease the anxiety in your daily life by gaining knowledge about treatments.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a constant and intense anxiety about being in the public eye or in the company of others. They fear that they will be judged negatively and feel humiliation or even rejection. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological signs, such as rapid heartbeats, sweating and trembling. Their aversion to and fear of social situations could cause issues at work or with relationships. The disorder can cause a variety of psychological disorders like depression and addiction to substances.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a key treatment for this condition. This helps to teach alternative ways of thinking, and helps reduce anxiety. It also helps the person realize that their fears are out of proportion to the actual danger in the scenario and that they can control how they behave and react. Exposure therapy or cognitive delivered exposure is a different method of treatment. It involves gradually exposing the person to situations that cause anxiety, with the assistance of professionals in a secure environment.

They also use medications to treat social anxiety disorders, though they are not considered a cure. These include antianxiety drugs, antidepressants and beta-blockers. They are usually utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy.

The research is ongoing to determine the causes of this condition and to identify risk factors. Certain genes and environmental factors are believed to be responsible for. Certain studies have also demonstrated that people with this disorder react more than normal to certain hormones.

It is crucial to seek out help for anxiety disorders because they can have a significant impact on the daily lives of people. A general practitioner or mental healthcare specialist can diagnose anxiety disorders and recommend treatment. It can be hard to ask for assistance, so it is helpful to include a friend or family member in the appointment-making process or to attend with others in a peer group or support group.

Some types of anxiety disorders can have a very negative impact on your life and can increase the risk of depression, substance abuse eating disorders, suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline for help.