Treatments For Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxious or worried every now and then. People suffering from anxiety disorders suffer chronic and severe symptoms that affect their daily life.
Treatments for anxiety disorders are available in many forms. Psychotherapy and medication are two of the most commonly used treatments. You may need to try various options before you discover the one that is effective for you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a kind of treatment in which an accredited mental health professional or trained psychologist sits down with a couple, an individual or a group of family members. It focuses on helping people understand the origins of their anxiety, what triggers it, and how they can alter their behaviors. Psychotherapy can take a variety of forms, from cognitive therapy to interpersonal psychotherapy to dialectical therapy. However, the majority of therapies have the same objective: to reduce suffering.
Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and can deprive people of their enjoyment of life. They are characterized by signs like a pounding heartbeat or a shallow breathing, a general feeling of unease or jumpiness and a feeling of imminent danger. People suffering from anxiety disorders may also exhibit avoidant behavior that restricts their daily activities and blocks them from engaging.
Psychotherapy and medication are the most commonly used treatments for anxiety disorders. Based on the diagnosis and severity of the disorder different psychotherapy techniques are utilized. For instance, those suffering from panic disorder can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment combines both behavioral and cognitive components. NYU Langone therapists use cognitive therapy to help patients recognize negative thoughts that cause panic attacks, and to teach how to reframe these thoughts. Behavior therapy encourages patients to take part in activities or situations that cause anxiety. For instance, public speaking or being in a small space. This helps them understand that the outcome they fear is not likely to occur which is a process known as extermination.
Other psychotherapy techniques like psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy are also available. These types of therapy are targeted at solving interpersonal issues that can trigger anxiety. For example conflicts, grievances or disputes that remain unresolved with family or friends. They can help patients cope with changes to their work and relationships which can trigger anxiety in some people.
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a newer treatment for anxiety. It helps patients accept the things that are not in their control, while focusing on change. Combining these two skills can decrease anxiety and improve a patient's quality-of-life.
Medicines
Although medication isn't an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, it can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Talk therapy is an important component of treatment. Several research-based therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), or psychodynamic psychotherapy, have been proven to be effective.
SSRIs change the way the brain responds to stress or other triggers. These drugs can cause negative side effects like nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Some people require multiple antidepressants to achieve the desired results. These are sedatives that rapidly reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat, sweating and shaking. They are usually prescribed as a temporary treatment for severe anxiety attacks. However they can also be addictive and may not perform as well if taken for more than four weeks.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are also sedatives. They can relieve anxiety quickly, but they are not a long-term solution because they can cause a build-up of toxins within the body. In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe a medication known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). These older medications increase the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood and are used to treat panic disorder and social anxiety. They are able to interact negatively with other drugs, such as SSRIs. This is why they are only prescribed to people who are not responding to other treatments.
Talk therapy can teach you strategies to manage your anxiety symptoms. Therapists can use various methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy, and art or creative therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually moving towards situations that cause anxiety that you would normally avoid to learn how to deal with without triggering an attack. This can include imaginal exposure, in-vivo exposure, and virtual real-world exposure.
You can control your symptoms if you eat healthy and sleep enough, exercise, and avoid the use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals including folic acid and B vitamins. There have been mixed results from studies that have studied herbal remedies and nutritional supplements as potential solutions for anxiety. Herbal products do not have the same rules as prescription drugs and can be harmful or ineffective.
Self-help or support groups
Many people suffering from anxiety disorders benefit from support groups to manage their symptoms. They are usually open to anyone, and provide a safe place for people to talk about their feelings and experiences. They may also provide an opportunity for individuals to discover new strategies for coping. These strategies can assist people feel more in control of their life. In addition to offering social support anxiety support groups can aid members in building self-esteem and improve their level of living.
There are a variety of anxiety support groups, including those run by instructors who are trained and others that are based on peer pressure. You should decide which one best suits your needs and lifestyle. Certain groups have a predetermined schedule, while others are accessible online at any time. Some groups meet in person while others can be reached via audio or video calls. Many groups have chat rooms and discussion forums where you can communicate with others in real time.
One such group, SMART Recovery offers support to those with anxiety or other mental health issues. Meetings are available both in person and on the internet. You can attend any time to fit into your schedule. The program uses scientifically-proven methods to teach coping skills and help participants overcome their fears.
Another option is the The Tribe wellness community, which provides peer-to-peer support for people suffering from anxiety. The site is free to join and allows members to share their stories and experiences in chat and online forums. rooms. It also has its own blog. Additionally, the website offers a mobile application that lets users access support resources from anywhere.
Anxiety support groups as well as providing emotional support, can help people manage their symptoms by teaching coping strategies. These coping techniques can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments. Many anxiety support groups offer educational materials such as podcasts, videos and webinars. Some support groups also provide services for specific groups such as veterans and those of color.
Stress management
Stress management is a key aspect of treating anxiety disorders . Stress management involves identifying the causes of anxiety and learning how to cope with these, and taking steps to reduce those sources. This is typically accomplished by psychotherapy, and occasionally medication.
CBT is the most commonly used treatment for anxiety disorders. During CBT you'll learn to identify the patterns that contribute to your anxious feelings, and then work to alter the patterns. You can also learn how to lessen anxiety, such as relaxation techniques.
CBT is typically short-term. If you keep attending sessions, you are more likely to see positive results. Remember that conquering anxiety takes time and commitment. You may need to face your fears, which may be uncomfortable at times, in order to feel better.
Medicines are also an important part of treatment. Antidepressants are effective particularly the more recent ones that have less adverse effects than older monoamine inhibitors of oxidase. These include SSRIs like fluoxetine, sertraline and citalopram, along with other antianxiety drugs, including mirtazapine and nefazodone. In some cases, a benzodiazepine is used to relieve severe anxiety.
Many alternative treatments are also effective in relieving anxiety symptoms, such as meditation and deep breathing. Exercise also can help reduce anxiety, and it's important to eat a balanced diet. Avoid alcohol and illicit drugs because they can cause anxiety.
Other treatments that can aid with anxiety disorders include interpersonal therapy, which focuses on interactions and relationships with others, and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps you develop skills such as assertiveness. Being able to communicate your needs and feelings in a direct, honest manner can lower the stress levels of your life and increase self-esteem.
Other ways to reduce stress could include joining a support group, learning relaxation techniques, or hypnotherapy. Contact your insurance company to determine if these treatments are covered. Biofeedback is also beneficial for some individuals. During this process, you watch your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and gradually learn to control them at will.