Treating Anxiety Disorders
Consult a psychiatrist if your anxiety is persistent and interferes with your daily activities. Psychologists are experts in psychotherapy and can 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 strategies for managing stress and join support groups (both in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders are treated by psychotherapy (talk-therapy), medication, or a combination of both. Talk therapy helps people cope better with their worries and decrease symptoms. People can also improve their mood by regularly exercising and getting enough rest. They can also improve their mood by using techniques to manage stress. The medications can reduce anxiety levels and make other treatments more effective.
Anxiety disorders are more susceptible to developing other mental health conditions, including depression. Symptoms of depression often overlap with symptoms of anxiety which is why it is essential to treat both simultaneously. A doctor with expertise in treating mental illness (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medication to ease the symptoms.
A person's risk of having anxiety disorders is increased by specific life experiences and traits that are inherited. Traumas, like an accident or war can trigger anxiety disorders in some people. A chronic illness or caregiving can also cause people to worry excessively. Abuse of alcohol, specifically alcohol and illegal drugs, can also contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder.
The most effective treatment option for most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants, referred to as SNRIs and SSRIs like escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been proven to be efficient in a variety of clinical studies. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) are often used to help ease anxiety. They aren't typically prescribed for more than 4 weeks due to the possibility of becoming addictive and stop working well.
Beta-blockers such as propranolol and atenolol are used to treat anxiety. They can lower blood pressure and heart rates. Anticonvulsants such as levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can assist in reducing the shaking. Buspirone (BuSpar) in small doses can help people with physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating or a rapid pulse.
Some sedatives, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), are available only by prescription. Certain people suffering from extreme anxiety may use monoamine oxidase inhibits, such as Anxair (moclobemide).
Psychotherapy
While it is normal for children at times to experience fear or anxiety, these feelings shouldn't affect their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or be isolated from their friends, family, or school. Anxiety disorders may lead to severe depression, or other mental health issues that may hinder a person's overall health. These disorders are usually treated through psychotherapy (counseling), as well as medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It helps you alter patterns of thinking and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety. Your therapist will guide you through relaxation techniques and assist you to discover ways to deal with negative feelings. Exposure therapy is also utilized to gradually expose you situations that trigger anxiety. This is accomplished by creating the triggers you are most sensitive to and ranking them in order of intensity and then gradually exposing yourself to them by using a method known as systematic desensitization.
Your therapist will also show you how to confront your irrational predictions and unhelpful thoughts. They will help you test your beliefs with experiments, weighing the pros and cons and determining the realistic probability that something bad could happen.
Psychiatrists can prescribe shorter-term or long-term treatments to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and buspirone may help with anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain which regulate mood. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam and diazepam, are helpful in promoting relaxation and calming the mind. SNRIs like venlafaxine may aid in reducing anxiety since they boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine in the brain.
Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, address any questions, and make changes to your treatment plan when needed. Depending on the severity of your disorder it could take some time to heal. It is possible to test a number of therapists or treatments before you discover the one that is most effective for you. To see results, it's important to stick to your treatment plan. The longer you put off seeking assistance, the more severe your symptoms may become.
Therapy for interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal therapy is a kind of psychotherapy for short durations that focuses primarily on solving interpersonal problems. It typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions to be completed. It has been scientifically proven to help improve anxiety and depression symptoms. It has also been shown to be effective for treating depression that is comorbid with PTSD. It can also be used to treat problems with occupational and social interactions for people suffering from PTSD.
The first three sessions are dedicated to gathering information and identifying problems. For instance, the therapist might help you create an inventory of your primary relationships. The therapist can then help you prioritize these problems based on your requirements and the possibility of improvement. In the middle of sessions (4-14), you and your counselor will work together to discover solutions to these issues. generalized anxiety disorder will then apply the new strategies in your everyday life in between sessions.
IPT's most important feature is that it frames the patient's problems as a medical condition, not as a flaw in character. This can help patients overcome guilt and self-criticism. It can also help patients recognize that their symptoms are a result of their current conditions and medical conditions.
Select a therapist who's licensed and specialized in the condition you're dealing with. Also, look up the background of the therapist and their training. You can even ask for recommendations from other doctors. Before beginning therapy, ensure that you and your therapist agree on the goals of the sessions. For example, you might be looking to improve your interpersonal skills or overcome your fear of intimacy.
Self-help
Anxiety is a normal response to stressful events, but it becomes an illness when it becomes so intense that it causes problems with your daily routine. Many people with anxiety disorders require psychotherapy or medication to heal. But a few self-help techniques can reduce symptoms and make them easier to live with. Relaxation and breathing exercises, for example can reduce your heart rate and help you relax. Try to do 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 by positive ones can ease anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You might be able to reduce your intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol which can trigger or worsen your anxiety. Regular exercise relieves tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is thought to improve mood. Try to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
Self-help tools for anxiety include self-help books and online resources. Some of these resources offer exercises that you can complete at home, such as identifying your anxiety triggers and learning how to challenge your anxious thinking. Some also require face-to-face meetings with therapists and others who have the same problems.
Psychological interventions are the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders, and they include cognitive behavioural therapy which helps you change patterns of thinking that cause anxiety; exposure therapy, where you gradually face the situations, objects or people that cause anxiety and complementary health techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation. These techniques can be paired with medication.
Some people need to see an expert to determine if they have any medical issues which could be the source of their anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders are difficult to manage and can affect social, work and school life. They can also cause depression, which is an increased risk of suicide. People who do not seek treatment for their symptoms have an increased chance of becoming a more severe mental health condition.