How Anxiety is Treated
Every person has anxiety from time to time. This is usually an emotional reaction to stressful events that happen in life. If the anxiety becomes overwhelming and cause problems in your daily life it could be a sign you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
A mental health professional can assess your symptoms and conduct tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions. The use of medication and psychotherapy is available as treatments options.
Medicines
Everyone experiences anxiety and worry at times However, if they become persistent or disrupt your everyday life to the point that you are unable to function it's time to talk to your mental health professional about medications. If you are suffering from anxiety, your physician will help you find the best medication for you and will also discuss other treatments that could be beneficial, such as psychotherapy, exercise and stress management strategies.
Treatments for anxiety include anxiolytics and antidepressants. Antidepressants boost the activity of certain chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, that affect 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. A variety of other antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxide inhibitors, are also approved to treat anxiety disorders. Others, such as benzodiazepines, increase activity at the receptors for the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA) which produces an effect of calming.
There are two types of anxiolytic medication that are standing doses that you take regularly or as-needed, and medications you use when your anxiety is a major issue. The first can take some time to work, but they usually eliminate or reduce your symptoms. As-needed medications can work faster, in about 20 minutes, but they improve your anxiety only as long as the medication is within your system.
While medications are an important component of your treatment, they do not help you overcome anxiety. Your clinician will discuss with you other ways to treat symptoms, such as psychotherapy (talk-therapy), exercise and stress management, as well as self help strategies, such breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and biofeedback. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial for many people suffering from anxiety or fears. CBT will help you identify the thoughts and emotions that trigger your anxiety, and help you learn to control them. Other treatments include eye movement desensitization and Reprocessing, also known as EMDR which can help people overcome trauma, anxiety, and depression. Certain people can benefit from acupuncture. This involves placing needles at specific locations on the body to ease tension and pain.
Counseling
Counseling (or psychotherapy), aims to teach you new ways to think and cope with anxiety. It also helps you recognize your triggers and reveal the root causes. Treatments for anxiety that are supported by research, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure therapy and interpersonal therapy can be very effective. These therapies can be combined with a pharmacotherapy program.
Anxiety can be crippling, but it's important to keep in mind that you're not alone. Anxiety affects more than 40 million people in the US. The fear and anxiety that anxiety brings can create problems in every aspect of your life. There are a variety of mental health professionals that can help with anxiety, such as psychologists, counselors, social workers and psychiatrists. The WithTherapy platform can connect you with a therapist who's suitable to your preferences and needs.
Many people suffering from anxiety experience symptoms such as dread, restlessness or difficulty sleeping. Often, these feelings are triggered by certain situations or events. Counselling can help you recognize and manage these triggers so that you feel more relaxed.
Cognitive and behavioral therapies have been shown to be more effective than medications for anxiety management, and the effects of therapy can continue for months or even years after treatment is finished. Psychotherapy, unlike medication teaches you how to overcome anxiety.
treating anxiety disorders can help you recognize your anxiety triggers and also provide a safe place to talk about your concerns with someone on the same journey. Talking with a therapist can help you overcome common anxiety symptoms such as thinking about, having negative or depressing feelings, and worrying.
In addition to psychotherapy many people also get relief from herbal remedies and supplements. But it's important to note that these options aren't regulated by FDA in the same way that prescription drugs are and can cause dangerous adverse effects. Before you begin taking herbs or supplements, consult your doctor. You can also join a group for people with anxiety to meet other people who share your experience.
Strategies for self-help
Anxiety can trigger physical symptoms such as sweating and heart palpitations. There are medical conditions that could cause anxiety but the majority times, it's caused by lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack exercise, and sleep problems. Self-management strategies can help manage these symptoms and improve the quality of life. Relaxation exercises avoidance of caffeine and nicotine, sleeping more, and implementing a good stress management routine are all possible. A regular exercise program is also recommended to boost serotonin levels. This can help to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Self-help strategies are usually more effective than medication for managing anxiety-related symptoms. They can include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which teaches patients how to identify and alter negative thought patterns. Exposure therapy is another treatment that assists patients in facing the situations or objects which can cause anxiety by enhancing their contact. This can be achieved by imagining the situation or by actually experiencing it. Exposure therapy may be used either on its own or as part of CBT.
Some people with anxiety find that keeping a journal of symptoms is helpful. This will help you monitor the severity and frequency of symptoms, and their impact on your daily activities and relationships. A journal can help someone identify what triggers their anxiety. A person can also join a support group to connect with others who suffer from anxiety and share their experiences.
Counseling and psychotherapy are also effective in reducing anxiety. A psychiatrist is a physician specializing in mental health. They can prescribe medication. A psychologist or another qualified mental health professional may offer psychotherapy, which entails discussing your concerns and devising strategies to cope. A common type of treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, which is a form of psychotherapy that has proven to be effective in clinical studies.
Psychotherapy
The use of medications to treat anxiety is beneficial however, therapy provides people with the chance to regain physical and emotional control when anxiety is taking over. Randomized clinical studies show that psychotherapy reduces anxiety symptoms more effectively than medication, and the results last long after the sessions of treatment.
The main form of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT, patients learn skills to manage anxiety by identifying and studying negative thoughts that contribute to their fear. They then replace these thoughts with positive, calming ones. Patients can also learn a variety of ways to cope that can reduce symptoms, including mindfulness and relaxation.
Another form of psychotherapy that could be useful for anxiety is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) which teaches people to recognize and address their anxieties in a healthy way, rather than avoiding them. In this type of therapy, patients may be encouraged to experiment with new ideas and gradually confront their fears until they are able to manage them without a problem. Other techniques for coping include eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR) is a method that uses repetitive eye movements back and forth to transform negative emotions into memories, causing anxiety.
Psychotherapy for anxiety can also include other treatments, such as stress-reduction activities and exercise. Regular physical activity helps keep blood pressure and heart rate at a normal level which can help alleviate anxiety symptoms. A balanced diet that has low levels of sugar and limiting consumption of caffeine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms.
The most effective psychotherapists for anxiety will be capable of communicating with you in a manner that helps you feel comfortable speaking up and expressing your feelings. However, finding a good therapist can take some time, and it's common for people to visit several therapists before finding a good fit. To reap the most benefit from therapy, you need to be patient, dedicated, and communicate openly with your Therapist.