Multiple people experience occasional nervousness as well as fear. Anxiety may be present when such feelings recur frequently or interfere with normal daily existence.
People experience various distinct kinds of anxiety disorders.
Below, we’ll explain “what are the 6 types of anxiety disorders,” how they feel, and how people get help.
What Is Anxiety?
When stress occurs, the human body generates anxiety as a response. Future events produce a state of dread with accompanying nervousness.
Humans naturally experience worrying behaviors in anticipation of exams and major lifetime choices.
Medical doctors classify long-lasting anxiety that interferes with normal daily activities as a medical disorder.
What Are the 6 Types of Anxiety Disorders?
Six typical anxiety ailments acknowledged by doctors and mental health specialists:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is marked by intense worry about many areas. Patients show anxiousness about their as well as workplace duties and common activities. Anxiety causes people to lose control of their thoughts, thus affecting their routine functioning and social connections.
Common symptoms include:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
A person with GAD encounters persistent worrying that occurs constantly without any specific reason. The anxiety affects them for extended periods ranging from months to years.
- Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder consists of multiple unpredictable panic episodes that create intense fear during a sudden onset and a brief duration of minutes. A panic attack produces these main symptoms that help identify the condition:
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Sweating and trembling
- Shortness of breath or choking sensations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Numbness or tingling
- Fear of losing control or dying
Many people with panic disorder rush to the emergency room. They often do this until they understand that their symptoms are caused by anxiety.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
The primary feature of Social Anxiety Disorder is a positive idea in the mind of the person about having a fear of all that could lead to embarrassment or shame in a social situation.
For the same reason, this fear leads to avoidance of social interactions, eventually affecting schools, work, and relationships. Situations likely to trigger social anxiety:
- Speaking in public
- Meeting new people
- Eating or drinking in public
- Attending social events
However, anxiety must persist for at least six months before it qualifies for the diagnosis.
- Specific Phobias
Specific phobias are extreme, irrational fears attached to specific objects or situations that are more or less safe. Such apprehension can lead a person to avoid facing those particular things, so it hampers one’s daily life.
Some after naming relevant common phobias:
- Acrophobia (Heights),
- Aerophobia (Flight)
- Claustrophobia (Enclosed Spaces)
- Trypanophobia (Needles)
- Zoophobia (Animals)
Symptoms commonly launch in childhood or teenage years, extending into adulthood. Exposure intervention, a style of cognitive therapy, helps people to meet and master their fears.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
This anxiety condition primarily affects children, though it has no age restrictions in its occurrence. Someone with this disorder shows excessive anxiety when detached from another person, like their parent, partner, or child.
Signs:
- Extreme distress at merely the thought of being away from someone.
- Preoccupation with the idea that someone important will be taken away.
- A refusal to go somewhere or sleep alone.
- Nightmares of theatrical separations.
- Symptoms of headaches or feeling sick.
It must last four weeks in children and six months in adults to be diagnosed appropriately. It disrupts the usual routine of one’s life.
- Selective Mutism
Selective Mutism is an important anxiety disorder, especially in children. The disorder prevents someone from speaking during social events where talking should be natural. However, the child may speak freely in other places, such as at home.
Children with this condition:
- Often communicate using gestures or written notes
- May experience intense shyness or social anxiety
- Typically have normal language development and understanding
It usually begins before age 5 and may continue unless addressed through therapy.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
The clear sources of anxiety disorders are still being explored, however, specialists think they stem from a mix of:
- Genetic factors
- Environmental influences
- Psychological traits
- Brain chemistry and developmental experiences
Studies show that anxiety disorders have genetic elements because they frequently appear within the same families.
Is Anxiety a Disability?
The disability classification of anxiety is possible under certain circumstances.
People who encounter anxiety symptoms that block them from working, attending school, or doing everyday responsibilities may obtain rights and benefits from disability laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Stages of Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety typically builds up over long periods. Stages of anxiety disorder include:
- Mild Anxiety: Tension is felt, yet carries on with a common situation.
- Moderate Anxiety: Growing apprehension makes concentration difficult.
- Severe Anxiety: Unfettered by fear to an extent that daily activities are impossible.
- Panic: Completely overtaken, full-blown panic attack, or somatic response.
After knowing the stages, it helps the doctors and the nurses to give accurate nursing diagnoses for anxiety and plan for the best care.
Anxiety Brain Damage: Is It Real?
Repetitive anxiety does not physically injure brain tissue, yet it makes long-term changes to how the brain works. Prolonged anxiety may:
- Alter brain chemistry
- Eliminate unexciting matter in areas like the hippocampus
- Enhance the function in the amygdala (fear center)
These nervous system adjustments can cause memory issues, trouble with attention, and complications with emotional management. Therefore, it is important to intervene early.
How Does an Anxiety Psychiatrist Help?
An anxiety psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. They can:
Provide a diagnosis
- Prescribe medications like SSRIs or anti-anxiety drugs
- Recommend therapy options
- Monitor and adjust your treatment plan
- Address co-occurring issues like depression or ADHD
Their goal is to help you regain control and feel at peace through a personalized approach.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for Anxiety
A healthcare professional must evaluate and rule out any underlying conditions for a medical diagnosis.
Treating anxiety disorders works best with a proper diagnosis and the right treatments.
Once diagnosed, anxiety disorders can be treated effectively through:
- Psychotherapy
The therapeutic approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) proves successful when patients need assistance reshaping their harmful thinking processes and conduct.
- Medications
The various treatment medications for symptoms include antidepressants in addition to anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers. The treatment plan uses these medications together with therapy.
- Self-Help Strategies
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
- Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants
- Joining support groups
- Educating family and friends for better understanding
Every plan is different. Your doctor or counselor will make one just for you.
Final Thoughts: What Are the 6 Types of Anxiety Disorders?
Millions struggle with anxiety disorders. They are the most common mental health issues globally. The treatment options for these symptoms are highly effective despite the disruptive nature of such disturbances.
Learning about the six main anxiety disorders is important for understanding your mental health. It helps you find the right support.
Find a mental health specialist if you or someone you know faces continuous anxiety. People who want help can find solutions to obtain clarity through adequate treatment.
At My Tribe Counseling, our Mental Health Status Evaluation helps you understand your emotional well-being. Our expert team provides compassion and clarity for anxiety, stress, and other concerns.
Schedule your evaluation now and start your journey to wellness.
FAQs
Q: Is surgery ever needed for anxiety?
Very rare. Surgery for anxiety is not common. Some deep brain treatments exist for severe cases, but therapy and medication work best for most people.
Q: What deficiency causes anxiety?
Studies link anxiety to low levels of:
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
Your mental health will benefit from a proper diet and regular nutrient checks to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Q: Do psychiatrists prescribe medication for anxiety?
Anxiety treatment can be made possible by psychiatrist-prescribed medication. In assessments, psychiatrists determine appropriate medication options to treat anxiety, which include SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines.
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