Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy a person's quality of life because it makes them feel overwhelmed, depressed, and tired. The fear of being anxious can make people unable to socializing, creating a false feeling that they are in danger, and creating isolation.
Exercise psychotherapy, medication, and exercise are all a part of the treatment for anxiety. Medications can include antidepressants, like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam.
Medicines
Most people feel anxious from time to time However, if that feeling lasts for a long time or becomes a problem in daily life, it's a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves psychotherapy and medication. While medication can help alleviate symptoms, they don't cure anxiety disorders. Therefore, they must be employed in conjunction with psychotherapy and other lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants as well as other benzodiazepines can be frequently prescribed to treat anxiety. Antidepressants correct an imbalance in the chemical system of the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and are therefore not recommended for use in the long term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, within the body. They also block brain receptors that absorb serotonin, allowing for more of the mood-enhancing chemical. This reduces anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. Pros: SSRIs are readily available, effective for most people and have a high safety profile. Cons: Some patients have side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Other psychiatric drugs like propranolol can also be helpful for anxiety symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood-pressure and heart conditions. However, doctors may prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. They work to reduce the effect of stress hormones in the body, like noradrenaline and adrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also have side effects like bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise, can help reduce anxiety. Relaxing activities, such as meditation and yoga. There are also mind-body treatments like acupuncture and tai chi that can help with anxiety. Speak to your doctor about the treatments that could be best for you.
anxiety treatments medication (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that works in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It works on the principle that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT helps you identify the negative patterns of your mind and implement strategies to control them. It also teaches you to regulate your reactions to anxiety-producing scenarios and to develop coping strategies.
In the initial sessions in the first session, a therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, interviewing you, or providing written materials. This will allow them to understand your specific disorder and pinpoint the distressing symptoms. It will also determine if your current treatments are effective. They will also use the test to determine if they are able to develop a therapeutic relationship with you.
CBT usually lasts for 20 sessions or less. In these sessions, you will meet with your therapist at least once every week or twice a week. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help techniques, such as how to reframe negative thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also help you learn coping skills, such as how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist could also offer tools, like therapy worksheets, which will aid in tracking the triggers and symptoms. They will help you work through your anxiety in small steps, so that the process is less intimidating. For example, if you are worried about social interactions, they may begin by playing a role with your therapist. Then, move on to talking to family members or friends.
CBT also incorporates behavioural tests. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by providing evidence to counter them. For example, if think that something awful will happen if you leave the house, you might do an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction prior to going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I will get food poisoning." You can then determine if your prediction was correct or not.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be a viable alternative to medication for anxiety. It employs hypnosis to aid people alter their perceptions of their symptoms, alter their behaviors, and relax. It can also be used to conquer fears. It is commonly used to reduce anxiety and stress, but it can also assist in alleviating pain. The effects of hypnosis last for a long time and can be observed after just one session.
During a session of hypnosis (or while listening to a recorded recording) the therapist will guide you into a state of mind that is like a dream. In this state of relaxation you are able to respond and listen to suggestions from the therapist. They may ask you to imagine a safe and peaceful place, and then they will instruct you to pay attention to the sensory details as they gradually become more real. This is referred to as a 'deepening trance'. This is the point where you begin to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. They might leave the room or open their eyes following an hypnotherapy session and are already feeling a shift. This is normal, and it can also feel mystical. For some, however it could take several sessions before they see any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to give therapy time to work.
Always consult your physician prior to undergoing the hypnotherapy method. They will be able to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have about the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety. You will need to book an appointment with a specialist for hypnotherapy if you are interested in using the hypnotic method. The sessions can be costly however they are usually more cost effective than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
In certain situations it is possible to use hypnosis to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by a traumatic experience like a car accident or natural disaster, or war. It can trigger depression, anxiety and other problems. Symptoms of PTSD are arousing memory of night terrors, an increase in anxiety. Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for PTSD and is usually combined with other talking therapy to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a significant issue for people who wish to lead active lives, but the positive side is that exercise can provide some of the best non-pharmacological treatment options for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours and a consistent schedule of exercise can dramatically reduce them over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise offers health benefits, very few studies have focused on the effects it has on anxiety. However, a recent study suggests that intense exercises are particularly effective for anxiety disorders.
The researchers involved in the study, headed by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson, assigned 223 adults with anxiety to a 12-week group workout program that included high or low intensity exercises. They also gave them tips on how they can incorporate exercise into their daily life. The results were evident that those in the high intensity group showed significant improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the lower intensity group.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise schemes in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not suffering from the condition. This may contribute to their mental health problems. Research shows that those who exercise regularly are less likely to develop anxiety or depression than those who are inactive.
It's not surprising that exercise can have a positive impact on mental health. It stimulates the release of hormones that make you feel good, such as serotonin and dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. However, the benefits of physical activity is even higher than that: a number of studies have shown that it is as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody and co-workers identified eight studies comparing groups who exercised versus those who did not exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers limited their studies to those that involved participants with a formally diagnosed anxiety disorder. This means that further research is required to determine whether exercise is an option for those with elevated anxiety levels clinically.