How Anxiety is Treated
Everyone feels anxious from time to time and often as a result of stressful life events. But when these feelings become overwhelming and interfere with daily living it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.
Mental health professionals can examine your symptoms, and perform tests to rule out any other ailments. Psychotherapy and medications are available as treatment options.
Medications
Everyone feels nervous and worried at times, but if they are persistent or affect your day-to-day life to the point that you cannot function properly it's time to talk to your mental health professional about medications. Your physician will assist you to determine the best treatment for your anxiety, and also talk about other options for treatment, such as psychotherapy, exercise and stress management techniques.
Treatments for anxiety include antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants increase the activity of chemicals in your brain, like serotonin, which affects mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. Other antidepressants like tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitors antidepressants are also approved for treating anxiety disorders. Others, such benzodiazepines enhance the activity of receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA that has a calming affect.
Anxiolytics come in two forms: regular doses you take on a regular basis or only when anxiety is a worry. The latter can take a while before they begin working, but they usually eliminate or significantly reduce your symptoms. The medications that are needed can be effective faster, in about 20 minutes, but they can improve your anxiety only as long as the medication is present in your system.
While medications are an important part of your treatment, they aren't able to alleviate anxiety. Your doctor will inform you about other options to manage your symptoms, like psychotherapy (talk therapy), exercises and stress management techniques and self-help strategies like breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation and biofeedback. Many people who suffer from anxiety and phobias respond to cognitive behavior therapy, also known as CBT, which teaches you to identify the thoughts that trigger your anxiety and learn to control them. Other treatments include eye-movement desensitization reprocessing or EMDR. This can help people overcome anxiety, trauma and depression. Certain people may benefit from the practice of acupuncture. This involves placing needles at specific locations on the body to ease tension and pain.
generalized anxiety disorder treatment (or psychotherapy), aims to teach you better methods of thinking and dealing with anxiety. It helps you to identify the triggers that cause anxiety, and to discover the root causes. Research-backed treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and exposure therapy are effective in treating anxiety. These therapies can also be incorporated into a pharmacotherapy treatment plan.
It's important to know that you're not alone if anxiety is impacting your life. Anxiety affects more than 40 million people in the US. The anxiety and anxiety that anxiety brings can cause problems for you throughout your life. There are many mental health professionals who can assist, including psychologists and counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. The WithTherapy platform allows you to connect with a therapist who's suitable to your needs and preferences.
Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from symptoms like dread, restlessness, or trouble sleeping. These symptoms are usually caused by certain circumstances or events. Counselling can help you recognize and manage these triggers so you feel better.
Cognitive and behavioral therapies have been proven to be more effective than medication for managing anxiety and the benefits of therapy can last for months, or even years after treatment has ended. This is because, unlike medications psychotherapy can teach you how to conquer your anxiety thoughts and behaviors.
In addition to being able to recognize the triggers of your anxiety, counseling can also provide a safe space for you to discuss your feelings with someone else who is on the same journey as you. Worrying, having negative or defeating thoughts, and worrying are all common symptoms of anxiety that can be alleviated by discussing them with counselors.
Some people find relief through herbal remedies and supplements in addition to psychotherapy. However, it's important keep in mind that these remedies aren't controlled by the FDA in the same way that prescription drugs are, and may cause dangerous adverse effects. Before you begin taking herbal remedies or supplements, you should consult your physician. You can join a support group of people who suffer from anxiety to connect with others who can relate to your situation.
Strategies for self-help
Anxiety goes beyond an emotion it can trigger physical symptoms, such as sweating, heart palpitations and nausea. There are medical conditions that can cause anxiety but the majority of the time, it's caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet and exercise habits, as well as sleep problems. Self-management strategies are a great way to enhance your life quality and manage the symptoms. They can include relaxation exercises including avoiding nicotine and caffeine, sleeping more and implementing effective stress management. A regular exercise routine is also recommended to boost serotonin levels, which can counteract anxiety symptoms.
Self-help techniques are often more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms than medication. These can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches patients how to recognize and modify negative thinking patterns. Another treatment is exposure therapy, which assists people confront the things or people that trigger anxiety by gradually increasing their interaction with them. This can be done using imagination or by physically entering the fearful situation. The practice of exposure therapy is often employed in combination with CBT.
Some individuals with anxiety find it beneficial to keep a log of their symptoms. This can help you track the severity and frequency of symptoms, and their impact on your daily life and relationships. Keeping a journal can also help a person determine the causes of anxiety, including specific triggers and stressors. One may also join support group to connect with other people who are suffering from anxiety and discuss their experiences.
Psychotherapy and other counseling methods are also effective in reducing anxiety. A psychiatrist, who is a specialist in mental health, can prescribe medication. Psychotherapy is provided by a psychologist or any other mental health specialist who can help you talk about your concerns and devise strategies for coping. A common type of treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavior therapy also known as CBT which is a form of psychotherapy that has been proven to be effective in clinical tests.
Psychotherapy
The use of medication to treat anxiety is beneficial, but therapy gives people the ability to regain physical and emotional control when anxiety is taking over. Studies conducted on randomized clinical trials have shown that psychotherapy is more effective than medications in reducing anxiety symptoms, and its effects endure well beyond treatment sessions.
The most common type of psychotherapy that is used to treat anxiety is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In CBT, patients learn skills to manage their anxiety by identifying and studying negative thoughts that trigger their fear. They then replace these negative thoughts with positive, calming ones. Patients can also learn different coping techniques that will reduce symptoms, like mindfulness and relaxation.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a different form of psychotherapy which can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety. It teaches people to face their fears and not to avoid them. In this type of therapy, patients could be encouraged to experiment with new ideas and slowly confront their fears until they can handle them without issue. Other coping strategies include eye movement desensitization as well as reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which uses repeated eye movements that back and forth to change negative emotional reactions to memories that are making you anxious.
Stress-reduction and exercise techniques can be included in psychotherapy for anxiety. Regular exercise helps keep blood pressure and heart rate at normal levels, which can reduce anxiety symptoms. Consuming a balanced diet with low levels of sugar and limiting consumption of caffeine can also help ease anxiety symptoms.
The best psychotherapists will be able to communicate with you so that you feel comfortable discussing your feelings and expressing yourself. However, finding a good therapist can take some time, and it's not uncommon for people to visit several therapists before finding an ideal fit. Getting the most out of therapy requires patience, commitment, and a clear communication with your Therapist.