There are many different types of anxiety disorders, ranging from generalized anxiety and phobias, to a more specific type of anxiety called selective mutism. These disorders often begin during early adolescence and young adulthood, with many symptoms carrying over into that person’s adult life. Feeling anxious is a normal human emotion; however, when this feeling becomes debilitating, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed, angry, or even hopeless. There are treatments for anxiety disorders, such as therapies and medications; even with these treatment methods, there is no surefire cure for an anxiety disorder, as there are many contributing factors. For example, anxiety disorders can be triggered by something as simple as a new person talking to you. Although it may be hard to get a proper diagnosis at first, it can be handled much like any illness – once the diagnosis has been established, you can plan strategies to tackle it.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a persistent or excessive worry about the variety of stressors in a person’s day-to-day life. These stressors can include concern over a potential illness or impending disaster, as well as current work or family issues. Although it is completely normal to feel anxious about these things, those with GAD have a tendency to become overwhelmed with worry to the point that it affects their daily life. People with this disorder typically expect the worst outcome, whether that outcome is actually possible or not. Although those suffering from GAD frequently realize that their anxiety is more intense than necessary, they still feel unable to control these feelings of anxiety. All of these factors cause GAD sufferers feel nervous, irritable, and have a sense of impending doom. They might frequently feel like their heart is going a mile a minute, like it is beating out of their chest. It becomes hard for them to control their breathing, and they may begin to hyperventilate, sweat, or shake. Further, they may feel weak, tired, or have trouble concentrating or sleeping, in addition to possible gastrointestinal issues.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by one experiencing frequent and unexpected panic attacks. Almost everybody experiences a panic attack at least once in their life, but typically for a good reason. Those with panic disorder can experience them even without cause, and these attacks can cause physical reactions similar to those displayed by people with GAD. For the typical person, a panic attack may occur when we are in a stressful situation, like getting ready to give a public presentation at work or school or asking someone you are interested in out on a date. For those with panic disorder, however, a panic attack occurs when they least expect it and at any time; they can even happen when a person is in the middle of a deep sleep. The main characteristic of a panic attack is the sense of impending doom, accompanied by a rapid, pounding heart rate, sweating, or shaking. The person may feel like they are going to die. Once someone begins to have frequent panic attacks, they may fear having another one and therefore avoid situations in which they feel even the slightest bit anxious.
What is Specific Phobia?
Phobias, such as aerophobia, are the fear of something that is very unlikely to cause harm. Phobias are often downplayed because people who say they have a phobia typically are self-diagnosed for example, those who don’t like wearing masks sometimes say they are claustrophobic. However, there is a difference between not liking something and having a phobia of it– a phobia can cause major feelings of distress or anxiety, while disliking something only causes mild feelings of annoyance or discomfort.
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is a fear of places that may cause one to feel trapped or panic. Agoraphobia can result in someone avoiding any place or situation that might make them feel unwelcome, helpless, or embarrassed. This phobia is a fear of an actual or anticipated situation, rather than an object, like arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders. Agoraphobia is often found in those with a panic disorder, as it typically develops in those that have had panic attacks in a specific location. For instance, those who have panic attacks while out to eat may become extremely anxious when faced with the idea of going out to a restaurant. Agoraphobia can be so debilitating that the person may be unable to leave their own home.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is described as an intense fear of being watched or feeling judged by others. Those with this disorder feel symptoms of anxiety or fear in social situations, such as meeting new people, going on a date, or even making small talk with the cashier at the local grocery store. They may also feel uncomfortable doing the basics in front of people, like eating, drinking, or excusing oneself to use the restroom. They frequently fear humiliation, judgement, or rejection, which may be due to past experiences. If someone with this disorder has an event coming up, they will often fear and stress about the occasion for weeks ahead of time.
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is the fear of being apart from a specific person or group of people, and it is most often seen in children. SAD is not limited to the child/parent relationship; a child may also develop this disorder if they fear that something could happen to any member of their family, such as a sibling or aunt/uncle, if they are not with the person. Some separation anxiety is common in all children, and in most cases it will be overcome by the time the child reaches adulthood. SAD is more severe, and if it is not treated or overcome before adulthood, the disorder can cause significant problems in future relationships.
What is Selective Mutism?
Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder related to a child’s inability to communicate effectively in any situation where they feel uncomfortable. For example, a child with selective mutism may be perfectly capable of speaking in a comfortable setting, such as home, and unable to communicate in some social situations, like school. This disorder does not manifest the same in all children; some children may be able to speak quietly or whisper while uncomfortable, while others may be unable to speak completely. Further, some children may appear normal on the surface, while in others their anxiety will be more apparent and they might become frozen in fear.
What is Unspecified Anxiety Disorder?
Unspecified anxiety disorders are simply disorders that do not match the criteria for “typical” anxiety disorders. However, they can still be extremely distressing to the sufferer. These disorders have anxiety-like symptoms that can impair day-to-day life. This diagnosis is most often used when the clinician has not yet been able to identify a more specific disorder, such as a phobia or GAD. Although there are no specifically decided symptoms, those with these disorders share symptoms with one or more anxiety disorders listed above.
What are Similarities and Differences?
Diagnosing a person’s specific anxiety disorder can prove difficult, as most of these disorders share many of the same symptoms – these overlapping symptoms include feeling nervous or tense, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and physical reactions. A person experiencing anxiety will often hyperventilate, shake, sweat, or have an increased heart rate. In order to diagnose the disorder properly, a licensed mental health professional must weigh all contributing factors. For instance, these disorders may be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Withdrawal from medications or drugs can also cause anxiety.
What are Basic Treatments for Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders have a few different treatments, and most therapists begin with psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Examples of therapies used are cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure response prevention. These can both be very effective, as they may be able to pinpoint the reasoning behind the anxiety, and therefore provide coping mechanisms to help combat the anxious feelings. Another treatment for anxiety is psychiatric medication; there are several types of medications used for anxiety, ranging from anti-anxiety medications to sedatives or antidepressants. Research also shows that regular physical exercise can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, as well as cutting back on alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
Conclusion
Anxiety disorders can leave you feeling hopeless; however, there are ways to overcome this feeling. Having a strong support system can help you deal with intense symptoms of anxiety, and proper treatment can even help you beat the disorder completely.
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At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand life can be hard and can affect our emotional and mental health. We also serve those with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship issues, who may be religious. Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Book an appointment or contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.
