Treating Anxiety Disorders
If your anxiety has a negative impact on daily activities and is persistent seek out an expert in mental health. Psychologists are experts in psychotherapy and may prescribe medications. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialize in treating mental health issues.
You can manage your anxiety through the use of counseling, medications, and other treatments. You can also find ways to manage stress, such as learning techniques for managing stress or joining support groups (in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders are treated by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination of both. Talk therapy assists people in finding better ways to cope with their anxieties and decrease the symptoms. Exercise, sleep and methods for managing stress can help improve mood. Medications help reduce the severity of anxiety and can aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are more susceptible to developing other mental health conditions, including depression. Symptoms of depression often overlap with those of anxiety, which is why it is essential to treat both simultaneously. A specialist in treating mental illnesses (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medication to ease the symptoms.
A person's risk of having an anxiety disorder is increased by certain life experiences as well as inherited traits. Traumas, such as an accident or war, can trigger anxiety disorders in certain people. A chronic illness or the caregiving can cause people to worry excessively. An anxiety disorder can also be caused by addiction to drugs especially alcohol and illegal substances.
The first option for treating most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Numerous clinical studies have proven that the most recent antidepressants, known as SNRIs or SSRIs, such as duloxetine and escitalopram, (Cymbalta) and escitalopram as well as (Lexapro), are effective. Diazepam, or Valium, is also used to relieve anxiety swiftly. However, they shouldn't be prescribed for more than four weeks because they can be addictive and don't work in the same way after.
Other types of medication that are sometimes used to treat anxiety are beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants such as levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can assist in reducing trembling. Buspirone (BuSpar) in low doses can help those suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety such as a rapid pulse or sweating.
Certain sedatives, including clonazepam (Klonopin) are available only by prescription. Some people with severe anxiety take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
It's normal for children to experience some anxiety or fear at times, their feelings shouldn't interfere with their lives or cause them to avoid the school, their friends and family. Anxiety disorders can cause severe depression, or other mental health issues that may affect a person's life quality. These conditions are often managed with psychotherapy (counseling) as well as medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It helps you change patterns of thinking and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety. Your therapist will assist you to learn relaxation techniques and find ways to cope when you experience negative emotions. Exposure therapy can also be used to gradually expose you to situations that trigger anxiety. This is accomplished by creating an inventory of your triggers and putting them in order of their intensity, then gradually exposing you to them through a process known as systematic desensitization.
Your therapist will also show you how to confront your irrational predictions and unhelpful thoughts. They will assist you in testing your beliefs with experiments, weighing up the pros and cons and determining realistic odds that something bad might happen.
Psychiatrists may prescribe short-term and long-term medicines to treat anxiety disorder s. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and buspirone can assist in reducing anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and diazepam, can help in promoting relaxation and calming the mind. Venlafaxine, a SNRI, can aid in reducing anxiety since they increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms and respond to any questions. They will also make necessary changes to your treatment plan. It could take a while to recover from your disorder depending on its severity. You may need to try several therapists and a variety of treatments before you can find one that is effective for you. To see results, it's important to adhere to your treatment plan. The longer you delay seeking help the more severe your symptoms might become.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy is a short-term kind of psychotherapy that focuses on solving interpersonal issues. It is usually completed in 12-16 sessions. It has been empirically proven to improve depression and anxiety symptoms. It has also been shown to be effective in treating comorbid depression with PTSD. It can also be helpful in addressing social and work-related difficulties in people with PTSD.
The first three sessions are devoted to gathering information and identifying the root of the issue. For instance, a counselor might assist you in creating an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist can help you identify your issues based on the severity of the problem and the potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4-14), you and your therapist will work together to discover solutions to these issues. You will then apply the new strategies in your daily life in between sessions.
The most significant feature of IPT is that it frames a patient's health issues as a medical condition, not as a flaw in character. This can ease patients' feelings of guilt and self-criticism. It also helps them recognize that their symptoms result from the combination of their current situation and medical conditions.
When choosing a therapist, ensure you choose a therapist who is licensed by your state psychological association and who is specialized in your condition. Check out the therapist's qualifications and background. You can ask other doctors for recommendations. Before beginning therapy, make sure you and your therapist can agree on the goals of the sessions. For instance, you may be looking to improve your relationship skills or overcoming your fear of intimacy.
Self-help
Anxiety is a normal reaction to some stressful events, but it turns into a disorder when it is so intense that it causes problems with your daily life. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders require psychotherapy and medication to heal. Self-help methods are a great way to reduce anxiety symptoms and help you cope with them. For instance breathing exercises and relaxation can lower your heart rate and help calm your mind. Try doing these exercises at least once a week, paying attention to the way your body feels when you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones can also reduce anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You could be able cut back on alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, which can cause or increase anxiety. Exercising regularly releases tension and encourages your brain to produce serotonin, a mood-enhancing chemical. Make sure you do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
Self-help tools for anxiety include support groups, self help books and online resources. Some of these resources offer several activities that can be done at home, such as identifying the triggers for your anxiety and learning to overcome your anxiety. Some of these resources also offer face-to-face sessions with therapists or others who have the same issue.
Psychological interventions for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavior therapy, which can help change the thought patterns that cause anxiety exposure therapy, which is where you gradually confront the circumstances, people, or objects that cause anxiety, and complementary health techniques such as relaxation, breathing exercises meditation, as well as breathing exercises. These strategies can be combined with medications.
Some people will require a consultation with a physician in order to determine if they have medical conditions that could be the source of anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be crippling and can cause problems with school, work and social activities. They can also trigger depression, which is associated with a higher chance of suicide. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at an increased chance of becoming a more severe mental health problem.