Anxiety Disorders - Types, Symptoms and Medications

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

(Source - Verywell Mind)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by excessive, long-term worry and fear about a range of events or activities. People with GAD experience persistent and unrealistic worries about everyday events, such as work, family, health, or money, and the worry is not easily controlled. Symptoms of GAD can include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. GAD is usually treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Symptoms And Medications:

The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) include persistent and excessive worry about a range of events or activities, difficulty controlling worry, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.

· Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

· Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

· Benzodiazepines: Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

(Source - RIVIA Mind)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels compelled to perform. These thoughts and behaviors are time-consuming and interfere with daily life. Common obsessions include fear of contamination, intrusive thoughts of harm to oneself or others, and a need for symmetry or exactness. Common compulsions include excessive hand washing, cleaning, checking, and counting. OCD is treated with a combination of medication and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Symptoms And Medications :

The symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) include intrusive, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels compelled to perform. Common obsessions include fear of contamination, intrusive thoughts of harm to oneself or others, and a need for symmetry or exactness. Common compulsions include excessive hand washing, cleaning, checking, and counting.

· Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox).

· Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

· Atypical Antipsychotics: Examples include risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa).

Panic Disorder:

(Source - Verywell Mind)

Panic Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden and can cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fear of losing control or dying. People with Panic Disorder live in fear of having another panic attack and often make significant changes to their daily routine to avoid triggers. The disorder can be treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is commonly used to help individuals understand and manage their symptoms, and exposure therapy can help reduce fear and avoidance behaviors.

Symptoms And Medications:

The symptoms of Panic Disorder include unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden and can cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fear of losing control or dying. People with Panic Disorder live in fear of having another panic attack and often make significant changes to their daily routine to avoid triggers.

· Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

· Benzodiazepines: Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan).

· Beta-blockers: Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

(Source - Verywell Mind)

It is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, sexual or physical assault, or combat. People with PTSD experience persistent, distressing memories or flashbacks of the event, avoidance behaviors, and negative alterations in mood and thoughts. They may also experience physiological symptoms such as increased arousal and reactivity, such as irritability, trouble sleeping, and being easily startled. PTSD is usually treated with a combination of medication and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Support from family and friends can also be crucial for recovery.

Symptoms And Medications:

B Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. The symptoms of PTSD include re-experiencing the traumatic event through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares, avoidance of triggers associated with the event, negative changes in mood and thought, and increased arousal and reactivity.

· Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil).

· Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

· Prazosin: a medication used to treat high blood pressure, but can also help reduce nightmares associated with PTSD.

Social Phobia:

(Source - Verywell Mind)

It is also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, which is a mental health condition characterized by intense fear and anxiety in social situations and performance settings, such as public speaking or eating in front of others. People with social phobia fear being embarrassed, judged, or criticized by others, and the fear is often disproportionate to the situation. This fear can lead to avoidance of social situations and significant distress and impairment in daily life. Social phobia is treated with a combination of medication, therapy, and self-help strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and relaxation techniques.

Symptoms And Medications:

Social Phobia, also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, is characterized by intense fear and anxiety in social situations, especially those that involve interaction with others or being in the spotlight. People with social phobia may worry about being embarrassed, judged, or criticized by others, and avoid social situations as a result. The symptoms of social phobia include sweating, shaking, a racing heart, and feeling self-conscious in social situations.

· Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

· Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

· Benzodiazepines: Examples include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin).


Written by Narayanamanikandan B