Treatments For Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety or worries from time to time. But those suffering from anxiety disorders have persistent and severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
There are a variety of treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy and medications. You may need to try several before you find the one that is effective for you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that requires meeting with a certified psychologist or licensed mental health professional for individual or couple, family, or group sessions. It focuses on helping clients recognize the root of their anxiety, what triggers it, and how they can modify their behaviors. Psychotherapy is available in many forms including cognitive therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy. However, all types of therapy share the same goal: to reduce suffering.
Anxiety disorders are debilitating and can cause people to lose the quality of their lives. They may be characterized by symptoms such as an euphoric heartbeat, a slow breathing, general discomfort or jumpiness, and an underlying fear that danger is looming. Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may also develop avoidant behavior that restrict their daily activities and hinder them from engaging with others.
Most anxiety disorders are highly treatable. The most commonly used treatments are psychotherapy and medication. Depending on the severity and diagnosis of the disorder, there are a variety of psychotherapy methods. For instance, patients with panic disorder benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment incorporates cognitive and behavioral components. NYU Langone therapists use cognitive therapy to help patients discover negative thoughts that cause anxiety attacks and teach them strategies to change these thoughts. Behavior therapy encourages patients to engage in situations or activities that cause anxiety. For instance, public speaking or being in a tiny space. This helps them understand that the outcome they are imagining is unlikely to happen which is a process known as extermination.
Other psychotherapy methods like psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy, are also available. These kinds of therapy focus on dealing with interpersonal issues that could cause anxiety, such as unresolved grieving or conflict with family or friends. They can also assist patients cope with changes in their work and relationships, which can cause anxiety for some people.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a more recent approach to treating anxiety. It teaches patients to accept the things that are out of their control and work towards changes. The combination of these abilities can help reduce anxiety and improve the patient's quality of life.
Medicines
While medication does not solve anxiety disorders however, it is a useful way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is an integral component of treatment. Several research-based treatments have proved to be effective, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
SSRIs change the way the brain responds to stress or other triggers. These drugs can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Some people discover they require more than one antidepressant in order to achieve the desired effects. These are sedatives that quickly reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat, sweating, and tremors. They are typically employed as short-term remedies during severe anxiety attacks, however, they can be addictive and don't work well if taken for more than four weeks at one time.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are also sedatives. They can help ease anxiety quickly, but they are not a long-term solution as they can accumulate within the body. In rare instances your doctor may prescribe a specific class of medication known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These older medications are used to treat social phobia and panic disorder by increasing the level of neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They may interact negatively with certain medications, like SSRIs. This is the reason why they are only prescribed to people who have not responded to other treatments.
Talk therapy can teach you how to deal with anxiety symptoms. Therapists can use a variety of techniques, including cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy and art or creative therapy. Exposure therapy is the process of gradually exposing yourself to anxiety-provoking situations that you normally avoid in order to learn how to cope without an attack. This can include imaginal, in-vivo, and virtual reality.
You can help control your symptoms by eating a healthy diet taking enough rest, waking up early and exercising, and avoiding the use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals. Particularly folic acid and B vitamins. Certain herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been researched as possible treatment for anxiety, however the results are mixed. Herbal products aren't controlled in the same way as prescription drugs, which means they could be ineffective or harmful.
Self-help groups or support groups
Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from support groups to manage their symptoms. These groups are typically free to join and offer an appropriate space for individuals to discuss their feelings and experiences with other members. They may also provide a space for people to learn new coping strategies. These strategies for coping can help people feel more in control of their lives. In addition to providing social support anxiety support groups help members improve their self-esteem and improve their quality of life.
There are a variety of anxiety support groups, including those run by instructors who are trained and those that are peer-driven. You must decide which one best suits your needs and lifestyle. Some groups have a fixed schedule and others can be accessed anytime. In addition to meetings in person, some groups are available through video and audio calls. A lot of groups have chat rooms and discussion forums where you can chat with other members in real-time.
One of the groups, SMART Recovery offers support for those suffering from anxiety or other mental health issues. Meetings are held in-person and online, so you can attend a meeting at any time that fits your schedule. The program employs scientifically proven methods to teach coping skills and assist participants overcome their fears.
Another option is The Tribe wellness community, that provides peer-to-peer support to people suffering from anxiety. The site is free to join and allows members to discuss their experiences and stories in online forums and chat rooms. It also has its own blog. The site also provides an application for mobile devices that allows users to access support resources at any time.
In addition to providing emotional help anxiety support groups also help people manage their anxiety by teaching them strategies for coping. generalized anxiety disorder for coping can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment options. Many anxiety support groups also provide a variety of educational resources, including podcasts, videos and webinars. In addition, certain support groups offer specific resources for certain groups, such as veterans or People of Color.
Stress management
Stress management is an essential aspect of treating anxiety disorders. Stress management involves finding the root of anxiety and learning to deal with anxiety, while also taking steps to reduce the sources. This is typically accomplished by psychotherapy, and sometimes medications as well.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. During CBT you are taught to recognize the patterns of thinking that trigger your anxious feelings and work to change these thoughts. You also develop habits that help reduce anxiety, like practicing relaxation techniques.
CBT is typically short-term. If you keep attending sessions you are more likely to experience positive outcomes. Remember that conquering anxiety takes time and commitment. You may need to face your fears, which can be uncomfortable at times, in order to feel better.
The use of medications can be an important part of your treatment. Antidepressants are often effective, particularly the newer agents that have a lower risk of side effects than the older monoamine oxidase inhibitors and TCAs. These include SSRIs which include the fluoxetine, sertraline and citalopram, along with other antianxiety drugs, including nefazodone and mirtazapine. In some instances the use of benzodiazepines is to relieve severe anxiety.
There are a variety of alternative treatments that can be helpful in relieving anxiety-related symptoms, including meditation and deep breathing. Exercise can also reduce anxiety. It's also important to eat well and keep a healthy diet. Avoid alcohol and illicit drugs since they can trigger anxiety.
Other treatments for anxiety disorders include dialectical behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy. Dialectical therapy teaches assertiveness and focuses on relationships with other people. Communication your needs and feelings in a clear and honest manner can help reduce stress and increase self-esteem.
Other ways to reduce stress might include joining an organization that helps you, attempting relaxation techniques, or the hypnotherapy method. Some health insurance plans offer these types of services, so make sure to inquire with your insurance provider. Additionally, some consider biofeedback to be beneficial. During this process, you watch your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and gradually learn to control them at will.