Treating Anxiety Disorders
If anxiety is affecting your daily activities and persists seek out a mental health specialist. Psychologists focus on psychotherapy and are capable of prescribing medication, whereas psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental illness.
You can manage your anxiety through the use of medications, counseling, and other treatments. There are other ways to manage stress, such as learning strategies for managing stress or joining support groups (in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination. Talk therapy helps people find more effective ways to deal with their worries and reduce the symptoms. Sleep, exercise and methods for managing stress can aid in improving mood. Medications help reduce the severity of anxiety and aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are at risk of other mental health issues, such as depression. Symptoms of depression 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 help relieve the symptoms.
The risk of developing anxiety disorders is enhanced by certain life experiences as well as inherited traits. Traumas, like a war or car accident can trigger anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by chronic illnesses or care for others. An anxiety disorder can be caused by drug abuse especially alcohol and illegal drugs.
Antidepressants are the first treatment option for many anxiety disorders. Modern antidepressants known as SNRIs and SSRIs, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), have been shown to be effective in many clinical studies. Diazepam, also known as Valium is also used to relieve anxiety quickly. They aren't usually prescribed for longer than 4 weeks because they can become addictive 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 drug levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix) can reduce trembling and shaking. Buspirone (BuSpar) in small doses can be helpful for people suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety such as a rapid pulse or sweating.
Certain sedatives, including clonazepam (Klonopin), are only available on prescription. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors like moclobemide (Anxair), are used in certain people who suffer from severe anxiety.
Psychotherapy
It's normal for children to experience some anxiety or anxiety at times, these feelings shouldn't interfere with their daily life or cause them to withdraw from school, friends or family. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression, or other mental health issues that can affect the quality of life. These conditions are often treated with psychotherapy (counseling) as well as medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used psychotherapy used for anxiety disorders. It helps you alter habits of thought and beliefs that cause your anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you on relaxation techniques and assist you to discover ways to manage negative emotions. Exposure therapy can also be utilized to gradually expose you situations that cause anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization. This involves creating a list of triggers and ranking them by intensity.
Your therapist will also teach you how to confront your irrational predictions and unhelpful thoughts. They'll show you how to test your beliefs about yourself by performing experiments, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of avoiding or worrying about and determining the most realistic chances that something bad will happen.
Psychiatrists can prescribe short-term or long-term medications to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs and buspirone may help in reducing anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain which regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam can help in promoting relaxation of the muscles and relaxing the brain. SNRIs, including Venlafaxine, can ease anxiety by boosting serotonin and norepinephrine levels inside the brain.
Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, answer any questions and make adjustments to your treatment plan when needed. It may take some time to recover from your disorder according to the severity. It is possible to test various therapists and a range of treatments before you can find one that works for you. To see results, you must stick to your treatment plan. The longer you wait to seek help, the more severe your symptoms could get.
Therapy for interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal therapy is a type of psychotherapy for short durations that is focused on solving interpersonal issues. It usually takes 12-16 sessions to complete. It has been empirically proven to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition it has been proven to be effective in the treatment of depression that is comorbid and PTSD. It also helps in addressing work-related and social issues for people suffering from PTSD.
The first sessions (1-3) are focused on gathering information and identifying trouble areas. The therapist might assist you in making an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist will assist you to prioritize your problems according to the severity of the problem and the possibility of improvement. In the middle sessions (4 between 14 and 4) you will collaborate with your therapist to come up with solutions for each of these areas of concern. Then, you will apply the new strategies to your everyday life between sessions.
One of the most significant aspects of IPT is that it frames the patient's presenting problems as a medical issue instead of an individual flaw or failing. This can relieve patients' guilt and self-criticism. It can also help patients understand that their symptoms are a result of their current conditions and medical illness.
When choosing a therapist make sure you select a therapist who is certified by your state's association for psychology and has a specialization in your particular condition. Find out about the therapist's education and background. You can also ask for referrals from other doctors. Before starting therapy, make sure you and your therapist can agree on the goals of the sessions. For instance, you might you would like to concentrate on improving relationship skills or overcoming intimacy fears.
Self-help
Anxiety is a normal response to stressful events, but it becomes an illness when it becomes so intense that it is a problem with your life. A lot of people suffering from anxiety disorders need psychotherapy and medication to recover. However, a few self-help strategies can ease symptoms and make them easier to deal with. For example breathing exercises and relaxation can reduce your 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 generalized anxiety disorder gad and replacing them by positive ones can ease anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can reduce your intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol which can worsen or cause anxiety. Regular exercise releases tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is believed to boost mood. Make sure you do at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.
There are many ways to find self-help solutions for anxiety, including support groups, self-help books and online resources. Some of these resources provide exercises that you can complete at home, such as identifying your anxiety triggers and learning to challenge your anxious thinking. Some of them also include face-to-face sessions with therapists and others who are experiencing the same issues.
Psychological interventions are the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders. they include cognitive behavioural therapy which helps you alter the patterns of thinking that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, which is where you gradually face the situations and people or objects which trigger anxiety and complementary health practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, and a sense of relaxation. These strategies can be employed in conjunction with medication.
Some people need to see an expert to rule out any medical issues which could be the source of their anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and can interfere with school, social and work life. They can also trigger depression, which is associated with a higher chance of suicide. People who don't seek treatment for their issues have an increased chance of becoming a more severe mental health problem.