Treating Anxiety Disorders
If your anxiety interferes with everyday activities and persists consult an expert in mental health. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and may be capable of prescribing medication, whereas psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues.
Medications, counseling and other treatments can ease your symptoms and help manage your anxiety. You can also find ways to manage your anxiety, such as learning strategies for managing stress or joining support groups (in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication, or a combination of the two. Talk therapy helps people find more effective ways to deal with their worries and reduce the symptoms. Sleep, exercise and strategies for managing stress can help improve mood. The use of medication can reduce the severity of anxiety and aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are more at risk of developing mental health conditions including depression. The symptoms of anxiety and depression often coexist, so it's crucial to treat both at the same time. A doctor with expertise in treating mental disorders (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medications to treat the symptoms.
Certain life experiences and genetic traits increase the chances of developing an anxiety disorder. Traumas, like car accidents or war, can trigger anxiety disorders in some people. A chronic illness or caregiving can cause people to worry excessively. An anxiety disorder may be caused by addiction to drugs especially alcohol and illegal drugs.
The most effective treatment option for most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants, referred to as SNRIs and SSRIs, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been shown to be effective in many clinical studies. Diazepam, or Valium is also used to relieve anxiety swiftly. However, they aren't usually prescribed for longer than 4 weeks at a time as they can become addictive and don't work as well after that.
Beta-blockers such as propranolol and atenolol can be used to treat anxiety. They lower blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants, such as the levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix), can help to control trembling and shaking. Low doses of antipsychotic medications, such as buspirone (BuSpar), can be helpful if people have physical symptoms of anxiety like a fast heartbeat or sweating.
Certain sedatives like clonazepam, (Klonopin) are only able to be obtained by prescription. Certain people who suffer from severe anxiety take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
Although it's normal for children to feel some anxiety or anxiety at times, these experiences shouldn't hinder their lives or cause them to withdraw from the school, their friends and family. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression or other mental health issues that affect one's quality of life. These issues are usually managed with psychotherapy (counseling), and also medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It helps you to change the patterns of thinking that can trigger anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you on relaxation techniques and help you discover ways to manage negative emotions. Exposure therapy is also utilized to gradually expose you situations that trigger anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization, which involves creating a list of triggers and then grading them according to their intensity.
Your therapist will also show you how to rethink your irrational beliefs and negative thoughts. They'll show you how to test your beliefs about yourself by conducting experiments, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of avoiding or worrying and determining the most realistic likelihood that something bad could occur.
Psychiatrists may prescribe short-term and long-term medication to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, including buspirone and SSRIs can aid in the treatment of various forms of anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam and diazepam, can be beneficial in promoting relaxation of muscles and calming the mind. Venlafaxine, a SNRI, can help with anxiety as they boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine levels within the brain.
Psychiatrists will be able to monitor your symptoms, address any questions and make adjustments to your treatment plan when necessary. Based on the severity of your disorder it could take a while for you to recover. It is possible to test several therapists or treatments before you discover the one that is most effective for you. To see the results you want, it is important to adhere to your treatment program. The longer you put off the decision to seek help, the worse your symptoms may become.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy is a type of short-term psychotherapy that is focused on solving interpersonal problems. It typically takes 12-16 sessions to be completed. It is empirically supported and can help improve anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition it has been demonstrated to be effective in treating comorbid depression and PTSD. It also helps in addressing social and work-related issues in people suffering from PTSD.
The first sessions (1-3) are focused on gathering information and identifying trouble areas. The therapist might assist you in making the list of your most important relationships. The therapist will assist you in determining the most problematic areas in accordance with your requirements and the potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4 between 14 and 4), you will collaborate with your therapist to find solutions to each of these problematic areas. You will then apply the new strategies to your everyday life between sessions.
One of the most important aspects of IPT is that it frames the patient's problems as a medical illness rather than a character flaw or personal failing. This can help relieve the patients' feelings of self-reflection and guilt. It can also help patients realize that their symptoms are a result of their current situation and medical illness.
When choosing a therapist ensure you choose a therapist who is certified by your state psychological association and specializes in your condition. Then, research the background of the therapist and their training. You may also request recommendations from other doctors. Be sure you and your therapist are on the same page regarding the objectives of the sessions prior to beginning therapy. You might, for example you'd like to focus on improving relationship skills or overcoming intimacy fears.
Self-help
Anxiety is normal in response to stressful events. However, it can become a problem when it becomes too intense that it affects your daily life. Many people with anxiety disorders require psychotherapy and medication to recover. Self-help techniques are an excellent way to reduce anxiety symptoms and make it easier to cope with them. For example, breathing exercises and relaxation can lower your heart rate and help calm you down. Try to do them several times a day, and pay attention to how your body feels as you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones can help reduce anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can reduce your intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol that can cause or cause anxiety. Regular exercise releases tension and encourages your brain to produce serotonin, which is a mood-enhancing chemical. You should do 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical exercise each week.
Self-help resources for anxiety include self-help groups, support groups books, and online resources. Some of these resources offer exercises that you can complete at home, like identifying your anxiety triggers and learning how to overcome your anxious thoughts. Some of them also include face-to-face sessions with therapists and other people who are suffering from the same issues.
Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to change patterns of thought that cause anxiety exposure therapy, which is where you gradually confront the events such as people, objects, or other individuals that trigger your anxiety, and complementary methods of health such as relaxation, breathing exercises meditation, as well as breathing exercises. These techniques can be paired with medications.
Certain people require the services of an expert to rule out any medical issues which could be the source of their anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders are difficult to manage and can affect social, work and school life. They can also cause depression, which is linked with a high risk of suicide. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at a greater risk of developing them into a more serious mental health issue.