Treating Anxiety Disorders

If anxiety is affecting your daily activities and persists consult an expert in mental health. Psychologists are experts in psychotherapy and may prescribe medications. Psychologists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues.

Medications, counseling and other treatments can help ease your symptoms and help manage your anxiety disorder stress management. You can also learn stress management techniques and join support groups (both in person and online).

Medication

Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication for social anxiety disorder, or an amalgamation of both. Therapy for anxiety can help people cope better with their anxiety and reduce symptoms. Sleep, exercise and methods for managing stress can help improve mood. The medications can reduce the severity of anxiety and make the other treatments more effective.

People with anxiety disorders are at greater risk of developing mental health issues, including depression. Depression symptoms often overlap with those of anxiety, which is why it is essential to treat both at the same time. A doctor with expertise in treating mental disorders (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medication to ease the symptoms.

Certain life experiences and inherited characteristics increase the chances of developing an anxiety disorder. Traumas, such as an accident in a car or war, may trigger an anxiety disorder in certain people. Anxiety disorders can be caused by chronic illness or caring for others. Drug abuse, especially alcohol and illegal drugs, can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder.

Antidepressants are a primary treatment option for many anxiety disorders. Numerous clinical studies have proven that the most recent antidepressants, known as SNRIs or SSRIs like duloxetine and escitalopram, (Cymbalta) and escitalopram and (Lexapro), are effective. Diazepam, also known as Valium can also be used to reduce anxiety swiftly. They are not usually prescribed for longer than 4 weeks due to the possibility of becoming addicting and stop working as well.

Beta-blockers like propranolol and atenolol can be used in order to treat anxiety. They lower blood pressure and heart rates. Anticonvulsants like the levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix), can help control trembling and shaking. Low doses of antipsychotic medications like buspirone (BuSpar) are helpful for people who have physical symptoms of anxiety such as a rapid heartbeat or sweating.

Certain sedatives like clonazepam, (Klonopin), can only be obtained through prescription. Certain people who suffer from severe anxiety use monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as Anxair (moclobemide).

Psychotherapy

While it's normal for children to experience some anxiety or fear at times, their experiences shouldn't hinder their lives or cause them to avoid school, friends or family. Anxiety disorders can cause severe depression or other mental health problems that affect the quality of life. People suffering from these disorders often need psychotherapy (counseling) and medication to manage their symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most frequently used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing patterns of thinking and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety disorders book. Your therapist will guide you discover relaxation techniques and ways to cope when you experience negative emotions. Exposure therapy is also used to gradually expose you situations that trigger anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization. It involves creating a list of triggers and ranking them by intensity.

Your therapist will also teach you how to rethink your irrational predictions and unhelpful thoughts. They'll show you how to test your negative beliefs through experiments, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of avoiding or worrying and determining the real chances that something bad will happen.

Psychiatrists may prescribe short-term and long-term medicines to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, like buspirone and SSRIs, can help with various forms of anxiety by altering the chemical levels in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam can help in promoting relaxation of the muscles and relaxing the brain. SNRIs, including venlafaxine, are able to help reduce anxiety by boosting serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, answer any questions and make changes to your treatment plan when necessary. Based on the severity of your disorder it could take a while for you to get better. It is possible to test various therapies or therapists until you find the one that works best for you. It's important to stick with the treatment plan you have chosen to see results. The longer you wait to seek assistance, the more severe your symptoms may become.

Therapy with people

Interpersonal therapy is a brief-term type of psychotherapy that is focused on resolving interpersonal issues. It is usually completed in 12-16 sessions. It is supported by research and can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of comorbid depression and PTSD. It also helps in addressing social and work-related issues for people suffering from PTSD.

The first sessions (1-3) focus on gathering information and identifying problematic areas. The therapist might help you create an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist will then help you to prioritize these issues based on your needs and the possibility of improvement. In the middle sessions (4-14), you and your counselor will work together to find solutions to these areas of concern. You will then apply the new strategies to your daily life in between sessions.

One of the most important features of IPT is that it frames the patient's presenting problems as a medical illness instead of an individual flaw or failing. This can help ease patients' feelings of self-reflection and guilt. It also helps them recognize that their symptoms result from an amalgamation of their current situation and medical conditions.

Choose a therapist that is licensed and specialized in the issue you are dealing with. Check out the therapist's qualifications and background. You can even ask for referrals from other doctors. Before starting therapy, make sure that you and your therapist are both in agreement on the goals of the sessions. For instance, you may prefer to work on improving your interpersonal skills or overcome your fears of intimacy.

Self-help

Anxiety is a normal response to some stressful situations, but it can become an illness when it becomes so intense that it interferes with your daily life. People with anxiety disorders usually need medication and psychotherapy to get well. However, a few self-help strategies can ease symptoms and make them easier to live with. Breathing exercises and relaxation for instance can slow your heart rate and calm you. Try doing them several times a day, focusing on the way your body feels when you breathe in and out. Recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones can help reduce anxiety.

Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You may be able to cut back on alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine which can trigger or worsen anxiety. Regular exercise relieves tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is known to improve mood. Do 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week.

Self-help tools for anxiety include self-help groups, support groups books, and online resources. Some of these resources include a range of exercises that can be performed at home, for example, identifying the triggers of anxiety and figuring out how to overcome your anxiety. Some of these resources offer face-to-face sessions with therapy professionals or others with similar issues.

Psychological interventions are essential treatments for anxiety disorders, and they include cognitive behavioural therapy, which assists you in changing the patterns of thinking that cause anxiety; exposure therapy, which is where you gradually face the situations and people or objects that trigger your anxiety; and complementary health practices like meditation, breathing exercises, and a sense of relaxation. These strategies can be employed in conjunction with medication.

Certain people require the services of a doctor to rule out any medical issues which could be the source of their anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be crippling and can be a problem with school, work and social activities. They can also lead to depression, which comes with a high risk of suicide. If you don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at a greater risk of developing them into a more serious mental health problem.