What are different types of anxiety disorders? | by Breakthroughmhtx

Anxiety is a common occurrence in life. Many people are concerned about their health, finances, or family troubles. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, include more than just brief concern or terror. Anxiety is likely to not go away in individuals who have an anxiety disorder, and it might worsen with time. Symptoms can disrupt daily activities such as job performance, homework, and relationships.

The good news is that anxiety disorder treatments do exist which help individuals dealing with these disorders live a normal and happy life.

Anxiety disorders are classified into different kinds, including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and disorders related to phobias.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder is characterised by persistent and excessive concern that disrupts daily activities. This constant anxiety and stress may be accompanied by bodily symptoms such as unrest, feeling tense or quickly exhausted, difficulties focusing, muscular tension, or sleeping issues. Worries about ordinary things like job commitments, family health, or little issues like chores, vehicle maintenance, or appointments are common.

Panic Disorder

Panic attacks that are recurring, an overwhelming mix of physical and psychological anguish, are the primary symptom of panic disorder. Several of these symptoms occur in tandem during an attack:

Palpitations, a racing heart, or a fast heart rate

Sweating

Shaking or trembling

Shortness of breath or suffocating feelings

Chest ache

Dizzy or light-headed

Choking sensation

Tingling or numbness

Chills or hot flashes

Nausea or stomach discomfort

Disconnection

Concern about loosing control

The fear of dying

Since the symptoms are so intense, many people who have a panic attack mistake it for a heart attack or another life-threatening condition. They might even end up in the ER. Panic attacks can be predicted, such as in response to a dreaded item, or they can be unexpected, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. The average age of start of panic disorder is 20–24 years old. Panic attacks can occur alongside other mental illnesses such as depression or PTSD.

Social anxiety disorders (previously called social phobia)

A person suffering from social anxiety disorder has intense worry and discomfort when they feel embarrassed, rejected, humiliated or looked down upon in social situations. People suffering with this disease will either strive to avoid the circumstance or will bear it with tremendous worry. Excessive stage fright, making new friends, or having to eat in public are common instances. Fear or worry interferes with daily functioning for at least a period of six months.

Phobias, Particular Phobias

A particular phobia is an abnormal and persistent dread of a specific object, place, or action that is not inherently dangerous. Patients are aware that their dread is extreme, yet they are unable to overcome it. These worries cause so much discomfort that some individuals will go to great lengths to avoid them. Examples include fear speaking in front of an audience, flying, and spiders.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the dread of being in settings where escape may be hard or humiliating, or where aid may be unavailable if panic symptoms occur. The fear is usually out of proportion to the circumstance, lasts for about six months or longer, and interferes with functioning. A person suffering from agoraphobia feels fear in at least two of the situations below:

Making use of public transit

Being out in the open

Being in confined spaces

Being in a queue or standing in line

Being alone outside the house

The person actively avoids these kinds of situations, requires company, or suffers from acute fear or anxiety. Agoraphobia if not treated early on can progress to the point where a person is unable to go outside. A person is diagnosed with agoraphobia only if the fear is extremely distressing or considerably interferes with daily life.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is extremely afraid or apprehensive about being separated from persons to whom he or she is devoted. The emotion is excessive for the person’s age, lasts for a period of four weeks in children and approximately six months in adults, and interferes with functioning. A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder may be continually concerned about losing the person closest to him or her, may be hesitant or refuse to leave the house or sleep away from that person, or may have nightmares about separation. Physical signs of distress are common in infancy, but they can persist well into adulthood.

The Take Away

You may acquire a variety of strategies to help you control your anxiety. People commonly employ tactics such as positive thinking, stress management, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and relaxing. Trying to handle anxiety on your own can be difficult, especially if you are suffering a great deal of discomfort and uneasiness. In such instances, it’s always a good idea to seek expert help.

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