Treating Anxiety Disorders
Consult a psychiatrist in case your anxiety persists and is affecting your daily routine. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and might be able to prescribe medication, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health treatment.
Counseling, medication and other treatments can help ease your symptoms and help manage your anxiety. You can also find ways to manage your anxiety, such as learning stress management techniques 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 can help people discover more effective ways to deal with their anxieties and lessen the symptoms. Exercise, sleep and stress management techniques can also aid in improving mood. The use of medication can reduce the severity of the anxiety and aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are at risk of other mental health problems, including depression. The symptoms of anxiety and depression often overlap, so it is important to treat both simultaneously. A specialist in treating mental illnesses (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medications to ease the symptoms.
A person's risk of having anxiety disorders is increased by certain life experiences and inherited traits. Traumas, like car accidents or war, can trigger anxiety disorders in some people. Anxiety disorders can be triggered by chronic illness or caring for others. An anxiety disorder may be caused by substance abuse including alcohol and illicit drugs.
The most effective treatment option for most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Many clinical studies have shown that the most recent antidepressants, known as SSRIs or SNRIs such as duloxetine and escitalopram (Cymbalta) and escitalopram as well as (Lexapro), are effective. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium), are also often used to help ease anxiety. They aren't typically prescribed for longer than 4 weeks as they can become addicting and stop working as well.
Other kinds of medications that are used to treat anxiety include beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants, such as the levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix) can help control shaking and trembling. The use of low doses of antipsychotics, such as buspirone (BuSpar) can be beneficial for those who suffer from physical signs of anxiety, like a fast heartbeat or sweating.
Certain sedatives, like clonazepam (Klonopin), are only available through prescription. Certain people suffering from severe anxiety take monoamine oxidase inhibits, such as Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
Although it's normal for children to feel some anxiety or fear at times, their emotions shouldn't affect their everyday lives or cause them to avoid the school, their friends and family. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression, or other mental health issues that could affect a person's life quality. These conditions are often treated through psychotherapy (counseling), as well as medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common psychotherapy used for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing the patterns of thinking and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety. Your therapist will guide you discover relaxation techniques and ways to deal with when you experience negative emotions. Exposure therapy can also be utilized to gradually expose you situations that trigger anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization. This involves creating a list of triggers and ranking them by intensity.
Your therapist will also show you how to rethink your unfounded predictions and harmful thoughts. They will assist you in testing your negative beliefs through experiments, weighing the pros and cons, and determining the realistic probability that something bad will occur.
Psychiatrists may prescribe short-term and long-term medications to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as buspirone and SSRIs are able to help with various forms of anxiety by altering the chemical levels in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam are useful in promoting relaxation of muscles and relaxing the brain. SNRIs like venlafaxine may aid in reducing anxiety since they boost serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine levels within the brain.
Psychiatrists will be able to monitor your symptoms, answer any questions, and make changes to your treatment plan as needed. Based on the severity of your disorder, it may take time for you to get better. You may need to try various therapists and a range of methods before you discover one that works 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 may become.
Therapy for interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal therapy is a brief-term type of psychotherapy that is focused on resolving interpersonal problems. It typically takes 12-16 sessions to complete. It is supported by research and can improve anxiety and depression symptoms. It has also been demonstrated to be effective in treating depression comorbid to PTSD. It can also be used to tackle problems with occupational and social interactions for those suffering from PTSD.
The initial three sessions are devoted to gathering information and identifying the root of the issue. For instance, the therapist might help you create an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist will help you identify your issues based on the severity of the problem and the potential for improvement. In the middle of sessions (4-14), you and your counselor will work together to identify solutions for these problematic areas. You will then apply the new strategies in your everyday life in between sessions.
IPT's most important feature is that it frames a patient's problems as a medical condition, not as a flaw in their character. This can ease patients' feelings of guilt and self-criticism. It can also help patients understand that their symptoms are a result of their current situation and medical illness.
Choose a therapist that is licensed and specialized in the condition you're dealing with. Then, panic anxiety disorder of the therapist and their training. You can also ask other doctors for referrals. Before you begin therapy, ensure that you and your therapist agree on the goals of the sessions. You might, for example you'd like to focus on improving your interpersonal skills or overcome fears of intimacy.
Self-help
Anxiety is a normal response to stressful events, but it becomes a disorder when it is so intense that it interferes with your daily life. People with anxiety disorders often require medication and psychotherapy to recover. But some self-help methods can ease symptoms and make them easier to deal with. Relaxation and breathing exercises, for example can reduce your heart rate and calm you. Try to do them at least once a day, paying attention to how your body feels as 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 caffeine, nicotine and alcohol which can trigger or worsen your 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 activity each week.
Self-help resources for anxiety include support groups, self help books, and online resources. Some of these resources offer activities you can perform at home, like identifying your anxiety triggers and learning how to challenge your anxious thinking. Some of these resources provide face-to-face sessions to therapists or others who have similar issues.
Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders are crucial. They include cognitive behavior therapy, which can help alter the patterns of thought that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, which is where you gradually confront the events, people, or objects that trigger anxiety, as well as complementary methods of health such as breathing exercises, relaxation meditation, as well as breathing exercises. These strategies can be employed in conjunction with medication.
Some people will require a consultation with a physician in order to rule out medical conditions which could be the cause anxiety. Then, they can start treatment. Anxiety disorders are chronic and can hinder social, work and school life. They can also cause depression, which comes with a high suicide risk. People who don't seek treatment for their issues have a higher risk of them developing into a more severe mental health issue.