Anxiety disorders are often treated using specific methods and
techniques designed to target symptoms and develop coping mechanisms for the
anxiety triggers. Knowing which method to use in the treatment largely depends
on the kind of disorder a person has. This article provides insights on the
most common forms of anxiety disorders.
anxiety disorders
Anxiety is a common occurrence when a person faces potentially
problematic or dangerous situations. It is also felt when a person perceives an
external threat. However, chronic and irrational anxiety can lead to a form of
anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorder depending on
their causes or triggers.
Common forms of anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
A person who has this type of anxiety disorder usually experience
prolonged anxiety that is often without basis. More accurately, people with
generalized anxiety disorders cannot articulate the reason behind their
anxiety. This type of anxiety usually last for six months and often affect
women. Due to the persistence of the
anxiety, people affected with generalized anxiety disorder constantly fret and
worry. This results to heart palpitations, insomnia, headaches, and dizzy
spells.
Specific phobia
Unlike someone with generalized anxiety disorder, a person who has
a specific phobia experiences extreme
and often irrational fear of a certain situation or object. When exposed to the
object or situation they fear, people with specific phobias exhibit signs of
intense fear like shaking, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and nausea.
Common specific phobias include fear of heights, enclosed spaces, blood, and
animals. The fear a person with phobia feels can be so extreme that he or she
may disregard safety just to escape the situation.
Panic disorder
Also known as Agoraphobia, panic disorders are characterized by
recurring panic attacks which are often unexpected. Symptoms are usually
shaking, chest pains, dizziness, fear of losing control, and reluctance of
being alone. People with panic disorder are aware that their panic is usually
unfounded and illogical. This is why
they avoid public situations and being alone. A panic attack can be so severe
that people may lose control and hurt themselves.
Social phobia
Alternatively called social anxiety, a person with social phobia
may exhibit similar symptoms like those of panic disorder especially in social
situations. Shaking, dizziness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations may
ensue when a person with social phobia finds his or herself at the center of
attention or in the company of many people, regardless whether they are
strangers or not.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience anxiety caused
by a persistent obsession or idea. They tend to avoid experiencing anxiety by
resorting to repetitive actions or behaviors that prevent anxiety. For example,
a person who is obsessed about cleanliness may experience anxiety at the mere
sight of a vase placed slightly off-center. To prevent anxiety, he or she will
clean and organize everything compulsively or without reason.
PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder may occur after a person experienced a
severely traumatic event. He or she may relive the experience in his or her
mind which causes stress and anxiety. If a person with PTSD comes into contact
with stimuli (any object, person, or situation) that he or she associates with
the traumatic event, he or she may literally re-experience the event by crying
uncontrollably, panicking, or losing control. Subtler symptoms include insomnia
and avoidant behavior. PTSD may manifest itself immediately after the traumatic
event or even years after.
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