Treating Anxiety Disorders
If your anxiety has a negative impact on daily activities and is persistent seek out an expert in mental health. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and may be able to prescribe medication, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental illness.
You can manage your anxiety by taking advantage of counseling, medications, and other treatments. You can also learn strategies for managing stress and join support groups (both in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders are treated by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination of both. Talk therapy can help people deal better with their anxiety and reduce symptoms. Sleep, exercise and methods for managing stress can aid in improving mood. The use of medication can reduce the severity of anxiety and can aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are at risk of other mental health issues, such as depression. The symptoms of depression and anxiety frequently overlap, which is why it's crucial to treat both at the same time. A psychiatrist trained to treat mental disorders can diagnose anxiety, and prescribe medication to relieve symptoms.
A person's chance of developing anxiety disorders is increased by specific life experiences and inherited traits. Traumas, like an accident or war, can cause anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can be caused by chronic illnesses or caring for others. An anxiety disorder can also be caused by substance abuse including alcohol and illicit drugs.
The most effective treatment option for the majority of anxiety disorder s is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants called SSRIs and SNRIs, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been proven effective in many clinical studies. Diazepam, also known as Valium, is also used to relieve anxiety quickly. They aren't usually prescribed for more than four weeks because they can become addictive and stop working well.
Other kinds of medications that are used to treat anxiety include beta-blockers, like 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 be helpful for people suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a rapid pulse or sweating.
Certain sedatives, such as clonazepam, (Klonopin), can only be obtained by prescription. Certain people suffering from severe anxiety use monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
While it is normal for children to at times to experience anxiety or fear however, these feelings shouldn't interfere with their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or become isolated from their families, friends or school. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression, or other mental health problems that interfere with the quality of life. These issues are usually treated with psychotherapy (counseling), as well as medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It helps you to change the patterns of thinking that cause anxiety. Your therapist will assist you to discover relaxation techniques and ways to manage when you feel negative emotions. Exposure therapy is also used to gradually expose you to situations that trigger anxiety. This is accomplished by making an inventory of your triggers and ranking them in order of their intensity and then gradually exposing yourself to them through a process called systematic desensitization.
Your therapist will teach you how to confront irrational thoughts and expectations. They will assist you in testing your negative beliefs through tests, weighing the pros and cons, and determining realistic odds that something bad might occur.
Psychiatrists can prescribe either shorter-term or long-term treatments for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and buspirone may help in reducing anxiety by altering brain's chemicals that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam are useful in promoting relaxation of muscles and in calming the brain. SNRIs such as venlafaxine can help with anxiety as they boost serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine in the brain.
Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, answer any questions and make adjustments to your treatment plan when needed. Depending on the severity of your condition it could take some time for you to get better. You may have to try a number of treatments or therapists before you discover the one that works for you. For the best results, you must stick to your treatment plan. The longer you put off the decision to seek help, the worse your symptoms may become.
Therapy for interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal therapy is a short-term kind of psychotherapy that focuses on solving interpersonal issues. It typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions to be completed. It has been proven empirically to improve depression and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, it has been shown to be effective in treating depression that is comorbid with PTSD. It can also be used to address problems with occupational and social interactions for people with PTSD.
The first three sessions are dedicated to gathering information and identifying the root of the issue. The therapist may help you create a list of your most important relationships. The therapist will assist you to identify your issues according to the severity of the issue and its potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4 between 14 and 4) you will work with your therapist to come up with solutions for each of these areas. You will then apply these new strategies to your daily life between sessions.
The most important aspect of IPT is that it frames the patient's issues as a medical condition, not as a flaw in character. This can relieve patients' guilt and self-criticism. It can also help them recognize that their symptoms are a result of an amalgamation of their current situation and medical conditions.
Choose a therapist that is licensed and specializes in the condition you're dealing with. Also, look up the background of the therapist as well as their education. You can also ask other physicians for referrals. Make sure that you and your therapist are on the same page about the goals of the sessions before starting therapy. For instance, you may 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 can become an issue when it becomes too intense that it affects your daily life. People suffering from anxiety disorders typically require psychotherapy and medication to heal. Self-help methods are a great way to reduce anxiety symptoms and make it easier to cope with them. Breathing exercises and relaxation, for example can reduce your heart rate and help you relax. Try to do disorders anxiety per week, paying attention to the way your body feels when you breathe in and out. Recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones can reduce anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You could be able reduce your intake of the intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, which can cause or worsen your anxiety. Exercising regularly reduces tension and stimulates your brain to produce serotonin which is which is a mood-enhancing chemical. Try to complete at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.
There are a variety of ways to find self-help for anxiety, such as self-help books, support groups and online resources. Some of these resources include several exercises that can be performed at home, for example, identifying the triggers for your anxiety and learning to overcome your anxiety. Some also require face-to-face meetings with therapists as well as others who are experiencing the same problems.
Psychological interventions are a must-have treatment for anxiety disorders, and they include cognitive behavioural therapy, which helps you alter the patterns of thinking that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, where you gradually face the situations, objects or people that cause anxiety and other complementary health methods, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation. These techniques can be paired with medications.
Some people will require a consultation with a physician in order to determine if they have medical conditions which could be the cause of anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be crippling and can be a problem with work, school and social activities. They can also cause depression, which has an increased risk of suicide. People who do not seek treatment for their symptoms are at greater risk of developing them into a more serious mental health problem.