Did you know that there are 4 types of anxiety instead of just one? The different types of anxiety disorders have some symptoms in common, but many are also unique to one particular disorder.
Montare Behavioral Health believes that no one should have to live a life ruled by anxiety. We created programs with several levels of care to help meet the exact needs of people who have 1 of the 4 types of anxiety disorders. We target the symptoms each person has and help them learn to minimize them and enjoy a more peaceful existence. Our staff of compassionate therapists provides highly effective, evidence-based therapies that help address how anxiety manifests and how to let go of it. We also discuss the usage of prescription medications that help ease anxiety symptoms.
What are the 4 Types of Anxiety?
Almost one in five American adults has an anxiety disorder, which is equal to 40 million people. Another 7% of children from ages 3-17 also deal with anxiety.
While a person is aware that they experience symptoms of anxiety, they may not know which of the 4 types of anxiety disorders they have. Each one has its own effect on a person’s life and can be treated with the right therapeutic program. Here are the different types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD causes a person to live in a constant state of anxiety. They find it difficult to maintain a state of relaxation and peace because of the intrusive anxiety-based thoughts and emotions they have. The individual worries about current situations, future events, and often fears things will happen that are unrealistic or never come to fruition.
Social Anxiety Disorder: This type of anxiety focuses on being around others and in social situations. When attending social events or even being around a small group of people anywhere, the person feels anxious and uncomfortable with any attention paid to them. They assume others judge them negatively and that they will inevitably embarrass themselves.
Panic Disorder: This type of anxiety disorder causes a person to have panic attacks. They can be in reaction to an event, thoughts, or emotions that overwhelm them or have no identifiable reason for happening. Living with panic disorder causes a person to fear being around others because they might have a panic attack and feel humiliated. As a result, they often isolate and stay home.
Phobias: This type of anxiety disorder involves having an intense and unstoppable phobia about a thing or situation. Common phobias include a fear of flying, a fear of spiders, and a fear of the dark. While it can be easy to avoid something one has a phobia about, such as snakes, other subjects are not so easy. For example, a person who needs to fly for business or to spend time with loved ones but has a fear of flying finds their lifestyle compromised.
How to Identify the Symptoms of the 4 Types of Anxiety
When someone is unsure which of the 4 types of anxiety they have, they should get an assessment to provide the answer. Their physician can help make the determination or refer them to a licensed mental health counselor who can help. The most common symptoms of anxiety include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
- Constantly feeling anxious or panicky
- Unable to stop worrying about things
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Symptoms of depression
- Worrying about things from the past, present, and future
Social Anxiety Disorder:
- Anxious when faced with being in a social situation or among other people
- Assuming others will judge them and think poorly of them
- Difficulty making eye contact
- Avoiding parties, outings, and work social events
- Elevated heart rate
- Desire to flee from the scene
Panic Disorder:
- Feeling extreme panic
- Shakiness
- Shortness of breath
- Elevated heart rate
- Fear of passing out
- Chest pain
- Numbness in hands and feet
Phobias:
- An irrational fear of an object or situation
- Avoiding the object or situation at all costs
- Extreme anxiety when faced with the object of their phobia
How are The 4 Types of Anxiety Treated?
Several types of therapy help treat the different types of anxiety. They should be provided by licensed mental health counselors with experience treating anxiety disorders. The types of therapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps people make a connection between what they feel and think and how it affects their behavior. As a result, they begin to change their reactions and disarm the power of the anxiety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT teaches people to regulate their emotions and use mindfulness techniques. This help them reduce their anxiety.
Exposure Therapy: The individual is slowly exposed to a situation or item that triggers panic or a phobic reaction in them. The therapist teaches them how to eliminate the triggered feelings they have and become calmer.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): EMDR is provided by a trained counselor to help reduce or eliminate their symptoms of panic and anxiety. It is done through directed eye movements and other cues from the therapist.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health for Help Today
Do you recognize yourself in the discussion of the 4 types of anxiety? If so, it’s time to reach out for valuable and proven care to help you improve your poor mental health. Montare Behavioral Health offers programs designed to target anxiety disorders and teach people how to replace anxious reactions with positive and healthy ones. We offer residential and outpatient plans to meet you where you are in terms of what needs you have. Our program is a step above the rest of them because our skilled staff of mental health experts has vast experience in treating illnesses like anxiety disorders. They offer compassionate care in a soothing environment to help you overcome the obstacles of living with anxiety.
Contact us today and find out more about how we can help you stop living a life run by anxiety. We can find the right place for you in our treatment programs and get you started feeling better again.
