Information About the Field of Anxiety disorder
What are anxiety disorders?
We all know the feeling of anxiety or fear. Not only is this completely normal, but it is also often essential in dangerous situations. However, it can happen that this emotional state spirals out of control and reaches a level where it no longer protects those affected from dangers but instead has a massive impact on their quality of life. In this situation, we speak of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety becomes pathological when it is inappropriately severe in comparison to the perceived source of danger, if it occurs spontaneously or when the person suffers greatly from it. The most frequent types of anxiety disorder are generalized anxiety disorder, social and other specific phobias and panic attacks.
Generalized anxiety disorder
The main symptom of generalized anxiety disorder is anxiety that does not relate to a specific thing or event, but to several areas of life, including work, family or health. Concrete threats, such as illnesses or accidents can also trigger an excessive anxiety response.
Social phobia
Social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, can be imagined as extreme shyness. Those affected avoid contact with others because they fear being critically judged or being the center of attention. As a result, many everyday actions become extremely difficult or even impossible.
Specific phobias
Special phobias are mostly directed towards certain objects or animals, such as spiders or snakes. Other phobias include extreme fear of heights or fear of flying. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to panic-like fear.
Panic attakcs
Panic attacks may occur with or without a specific trigger and can fluctuate greatly in frequency and severity. They are typically characterized by intense feelings of anxiety combined with physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, nausea and a racing heart, all of which occur at the same time. People who suffer from another of the above-mentioned disorders can also show these physical symptoms, but they usually do not occur at the same time and are less pronounced.
What are the causes for anxiety disorders?
Like with many psychosomatic illnesses, the causes have not yet been clarified; there are merely explanatory models. Nowadays, it is assumed that a number of factors must interact to trigger the onset of such a disorder: personal predisposition, both biological and genetic as well as psychological (known as vulnerability) as well as life circumstances, caused for instance by a stressful job or a triggering trauma, are thought to play the most significant roles.
How is an anxiety disorder diagnosed?
As affected individuals often complain of physical symptoms, an organic condition must first be excluded through medical tests prior to making a diagnosis. Following this, a detailed consultation with a psychiatrist takes place, who determines whether the patient's anxiety is still within the normal limits in terms of intensity and duration. Anxiety disorders often co-exist with other psychiatric illnesses, such as depression.
How are anxiety disorders treated?
Firstly, the sooner an anxiety disorder is identified and treated, the better the chances of recovery. Psychotherapy today relies on a combination of medication (antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs) and cognitive behavioral therapy. The aim is to help patients consciously deal with their disorder and challenge their behavioral patterns. This means identifying what triggers their anxieties and learning to understand that the consequences they fear will not occur. To do this, patients are consciously confronted with anxiety-inducing situations while under therapeutic supervision.
Which specialists and specialist clinics specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders?
The following specialists and therapists are responsible for the treatment of anxiety disorders:
Specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapy
Specialists in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy
Psychological psychotherapists
Outpatient therapy can be carried out by all doctors or therapists. In anxiety clinics, psychological psychotherapists as well as psychiatrists and specialists in psychosomatic medicine work together on an interdisciplinary basis.
We can help you to find an expert for your condition. All the listed doctors and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in the field of anxiety disorders and are waiting for your requests.