Treating Anxiety Disorders
If your anxiety interferes with everyday activities and persists seek out a mental health specialist. Psychologists focus on psychotherapy and might be competent to prescribe medication, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues.
Counseling, medication and other treatments can ease your symptoms and help manage your anxiety. You can also learn strategies for managing stress and join support groups (both in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination of both. Therapy for anxiety can help people cope better with their anxieties and lessen the symptoms. Exercise, sleep and stress management techniques can also aid in improving mood. The medications help to reduce anxiety levels and make the other treatments more effective.
Anxiety disorders are at risk of other mental health issues, such as depression. The symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently overlap, which is why it's important to treat them both at the same time. A doctor who specializes in treating mental illnesses (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medication to treat the symptoms.
Certain life experiences and traits inherited from parents increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorder s. Trauma, such as car accidents or war, may trigger an anxiety disorder in some people. Anxiety disorders can be caused by chronic illnesses or caring for others. Alcohol abuse, particularly alcohol and illegal drugs can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder.
Antidepressants are the first option for treatment for the majority of anxiety disorders. Modern antidepressants called SNRIs and SSRIs such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been proven to be effective in many clinical studies. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) are frequently used to reduce anxiety. They are not usually prescribed for more than four weeks as they can become addictive and stop working as well.
Beta-blockers, such as propranolol or atenolol are used to treat anxiety. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants, like the levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix), can help control trembling and shaking. Low doses of antipsychotic medications, such as 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 by prescription. Certain people suffering from severe anxiety use monoamine oxidase inhibitors like Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
While it's normal for children at times to feel anxiety or fear however, these feelings shouldn't interfere with their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or isolate themselves from their friends, family, or school. Anxiety disorders can cause severe depression or other mental health problems that can affect one's quality of life. People suffering from these disorders often require psychotherapy (counseling) and medications to treat their symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing the thoughts that trigger anxiety. Your therapist will guide you through relaxation techniques and assist you to discover ways to deal with negative emotions. They'll also use exposure therapy to gradually expose you to situations that cause anxiety. This is done using systematic desensitization. This involves identifying triggers and grading them according to intensity.
Your therapist will also show you how to rethink your irrational beliefs and negative thoughts. They will assist you in testing your beliefs with tests, weighing the pros and cons, and determining realistic odds that something bad might happen.
Psychiatrists can prescribe either long-term or short-term medication for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs and buspirone can help in reducing anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain which regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam are effective in encouraging relaxation of muscles and relaxing the brain. SNRIs like venlafaxine may aid in reducing anxiety since they boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Psychiatrists monitor your symptoms and respond to any questions. They also make necessary changes to your treatment plan. It could take a while to recover from your condition according to the severity. You may need to try various therapists and a range of treatments before you can find one that is effective for you. It is crucial to stick to the treatment plan you have chosen to see outcomes. The longer you wait to seek assistance the more severe your symptoms could become.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy is a type of psychotherapy for short durations that is focused on solving interpersonal issues. It usually lasts 12-16 sessions. It has been scientifically proven to improve depression and anxiety symptoms. It has also been proven to be effective in treating comorbid depression with PTSD. It can also be helpful in addressing social and work-related issues in people suffering from PTSD.
The initial three sessions are devoted to collecting information and identifying issues. The therapist may assist you in creating a list of your most important relationships. The therapist can then help you prioritize these problems according to your needs and the potential for improvement. In the middle of sessions (4-14), you and your therapist will work together to find solutions for these problematic areas. You will then apply the new strategies to your everyday life between sessions.
The most significant feature of IPT is that it frames a patient's issues as a medical condition, not as a flaw in their character. This can help relieve the patients feeling of guilt and self-criticism. It also helps patients realize that their symptoms are a combination of their current conditions and medical condition.
Choose a therapist that is licensed and has a specialization in the condition you're dealing with. Research the therapist's training and experience. You can also ask other physicians for recommendations. Before you begin therapy, make sure that you and your therapist agree on the goals of the sessions. You may, for instance you'd like to focus on improving your relationship skills or overcoming intimacy fears.
Self-help
Anxiety is normal in response to stressful events. However, it becomes a problem when it becomes so intense that it disrupts your daily life. Many people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy and medication to heal. Self-help techniques are a great method to lessen the symptoms of anxiety and make it easier to cope with anxiety symptoms. Relaxation and breathing exercises for instance can reduce your heart rate and help you relax. Try doing these exercises several times per day, paying 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 may be able to cut back on the intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol which can cause or increase anxiety. Regular exercise releases tension and encourages your brain to produce serotonin which is which is a mood-enhancing chemical. Try to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
There are many ways to find self-help for anxiety, such as self-help books, support groups and online resources. Some of these resources provide a range of exercises that can be performed at home, like identifying the triggers of anxiety and learning to overcome your anxiety. Some also involve face-to-face meetings with therapists and others who are experiencing the same problems.
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