Treating Anxiety Disorders

Speak to a mental health professional If your anxiety is constant and is affecting your daily routine. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and are able to prescribe medications. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treatments for mental health.

You can manage your anxiety with the help of medication, counseling and other treatments. You can also learn stress management techniques and join support groups (both in person and online).

Medication

Anxiety disorders can be treated through psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication or an amalgamation of both. Talk therapy helps people cope better with their anxiety and reduce symptoms. People can also improve their mood by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and applying stress management techniques. Medicines can help ease the intensity of anxiety and make other treatments more effective.

Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are at a higher chance of developing other mental health problems, such as depression. Depression symptoms often overlap with symptoms of anxiety therefore it is crucial to treat both at the same time. A doctor with expertise in treating mental illness (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medications to treat the symptoms.

A person's chance of developing anxiety disorders is enhanced by certain life experiences and inherited traits. Trauma, such as war or a car accident can trigger an anxiety disorder in a few people. anxiety disorders questionnaire disorders can be caused by chronic illnesses or care for others. Drug abuse, especially alcohol and illegal drugs can also contribute to development of an anxiety disorder.

The first treatment choice for the majority of Anxiety Disorder Brain disorders is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants, referred to as SNRIs and SSRIs like escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), have been proven effective in many clinical studies. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), are also sometimes used to quickly ease anxiety. They are not usually prescribed for more than four weeks because they can become addicting and stop working as well.

Other types of medication that are used to treat anxiety are beta-blockers, like propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants, like the drug levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix) can help control shaking and trembling. The use of low doses of antipsychotics such as buspirone (BuSpar), can be helpful for people who have physical signs of anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat or sweating.

Certain sedatives like clonazepam, (Klonopin) can only be obtained through prescription. Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, such as moclobemide (Anxair) are prescribed in some people with extreme anxiety.

Psychotherapy

While it's normal for children to experience some anxiety or anxiety at times, these emotions shouldn't affect their everyday lives or cause them to withdraw from the school, their friends and family. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression, or other mental health problems that affect one's quality of life. Patients suffering from these disorders typically 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 habits of thought that cause anxiety. Your therapist will guide you through relaxation techniques and help you find ways to cope with negative emotions. They'll also use exposure therapy to gradually expose you to situations that trigger 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 confront your irrational predictions and unhelpful thoughts. They will help you test your negative beliefs through experiments, weighing up the pros and cons, and determining the likelihood that something bad might happen.

Psychiatrists can prescribe short-term or longer-term medications for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, including buspirone and SSRIs are able to help with various forms of anxiety by altering the chemical levels in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam and diazepam, are helpful in promoting relaxation and calming the mind. SNRIs, like venlafaxine, are able to help reduce anxiety by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, address any questions, and make changes to your treatment plan if needed. It could take a while to recover from your condition according to the severity. You may have to try a number of therapies or therapists before 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 delay seeking assistance, the more severe your symptoms might become.

Interpersonal therapy

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 has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It has also been shown to be effective in treating comorbid depression with PTSD. It also helps in addressing social and work-related difficulties in people with PTSD.

The first three sessions are devoted to gathering information and identifying problems. For instance, a counselor might assist you in creating an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist can then help you prioritize these problems according to your needs and potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4 - 14) you will work with your therapist in order to develop solutions for each of these areas. You will then apply the new strategies in your everyday life in between sessions.

The most important aspect of IPT is that it frames a patient's health issues as a medical condition, not as a flaw in their character. This can help relieve the patients from feelings of guilt and self-criticism. It can also help them recognize that their symptoms are a result of an amalgamation of their current conditions and medical conditions.

Select a therapist who's licensed and specializes in the condition you are dealing with. Check out the therapist's qualifications and background. You can even ask for referrals from other doctors. Make sure you and your therapist are on the same page regarding the objectives of the sessions before starting therapy. For instance, you might want to focus on improving your relationship skills or overcoming your fears of intimacy.

Self-help

Anxiety is normal and a reaction to stressful events. However, it becomes a problem when it becomes so intense that it disrupts your daily life. A lot of people suffering from anxiety disorders require psychotherapy or medication to recover. But some self-help methods can reduce symptoms and make them easier to deal with. For example breathing exercises and relaxation can help lower the heart rate and calm you down. Try these exercises at least once a week, paying attention to how your body feels when you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones can help 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 worsen anxiety. Regular exercise reduces tension and stimulates your brain to produce serotonin, a mood-enhancing chemical. Take 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week.

Self-help resources for anxiety include self-help groups, support groups books and online resources. Some of these resources provide activities you can perform at home, such as identifying your anxiety triggers and learning to overcome your anxious thoughts. Some also require face-to-face meetings with therapists and other people who have similar issues.

Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists in change patterns of thought that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, in which you gradually confront the circumstances or people or objects that cause anxiety, and complementary health techniques such as breathing exercises, relaxation, meditation, and breathing exercises. These techniques can be utilized together with medications.

Certain people may need to consult a doctor in order to rule out medical conditions which could be the cause of anxiety. Then, they can start treatment. Anxiety disorders can be very difficult to manage and can affect 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 symptoms are at an increased chance of developing into a more severe mental health problem.