Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can affect the quality of life of a person by making them feel stressed, depressed, and tired. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from interacting with others, which can reinforce their false sense of danger and, consequently, creating a sense of feelings of isolation.
Treatment for anxiety includes psychotherapy, medications, and exercise. The medications can include antidepressants such as SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medications
Most people feel anxious from time to time However, if that feeling goes on for a long period of time or is a hindrance to daily activities, it is the sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and psychotherapy. While medications can alleviate symptoms, they do not cure anxiety disorders. Therefore, they must be utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants as well as other benzodiazepines can be often prescribed to alleviate anxiety. Antidepressants can correct a imbalance of chemicals in the brain, which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are sedatives that work quickly to stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and shouldn't be used for a long time.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, help to reduce the levels of the cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, which allows more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate and ease the anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. Pros: SSRIs are readily available and effective for the majority of people and have a good safety profile. Pros: Some patients could suffer from side effects such as dry mouth dizziness, dry mouth and drowsiness.
Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also help with anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems However, doctors may prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They are used to lessen the effects of stress hormones within the body, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, that raise your blood pressure and heart rate. They can also trigger adverse effects like orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) as well as bradycardia (slower than the normal heart rate) and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise, can reduce anxiety. Meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. There are also other treatments for the mind like tai chi and acupuncture which can help ease anxiety. Consult your physician about what options are right for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts physical sensations, and thoughts are connected and that negative patterns may trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts and patterns and then implement techniques to help you control them. It also teaches how to manage your responses to situations that trigger anxiety and to develop coping strategies.
In the first session the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires or conducting an interview or providing written material. This will allow them to determine the cause of your disorder and pinpoint the distressing symptoms. It will also help determine whether your current treatments are working. They will also utilize the assessment to determine if they can establish an emotional connection with you.
CBT usually lasts 20 sessions or less. You will see your therapist at least once a week during these sessions. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help strategies including how to change negative thoughts into positive ones and how to practice positive outcomes imagery. They will also teach you strategies for coping such as how to relax your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist might offer you tools, such as therapy worksheets that help you track the triggers and symptoms. They can help you conquer anxiety in small steps that are manageable so that it doesn't seem like a daunting task. For instance, if are worried about social interactions, they may start with role-playing with your therapist. Then, move on to talking to family members or friends.
CBT also involves behavioural studies. It helps you to challenge your irrational predictions of catastrophe by providing evidence against them. If you're worried that something bad will happen to you if you leave your home you can conduct a behavioural test by making a prediction. For instance, "If I go for dinner, I'll get food poisoning." Then, you can note whether or not the prediction was right.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a different treatment for anxiety that is not a medication. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, alter their perception of their symptoms, and alter their behavior. It can also be used to overcome phobias. It is often used to reduce anxiety and stress, but it can also be helpful in alleviating pain. The effects of hypnosis can be lasting and the benefits can be felt from just one session.
During a session of hypnosis (or while listening to a recorded recording) the therapist guides you into a state of mind that feels like a daydream. In this relaxed state you can hear the therapist's suggestions and then respond. They may ask you to imagine a secure and peaceful place, and then they will tell you to be aware of sensory details as they gradually become more real. This is called a 'deepening state of trance.' This is the point where you begin to notice a change in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. After hypnotherapy it is possible to feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or close their eyes. This is normal and it can also feel mystical. For some, however it could take some sessions before they can see any positive changes. This is normal and it's important to allow time for the therapy to be effective.
Always consult with your physician prior to undergoing treatment with hypnotherapy. They will be able to discuss your options and answer any questions you might have regarding hypnotherapy for anxiety. You'll need to book an appointment with a specialist in order to utilize hypnosis. These sessions can be costly, but they are more cost-effective than other forms treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is often used to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by traumatizing events like a car accident, natural disaster or war. It can trigger anxiety, depression, and other problems. Symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories as well as night terrors and an increase in anxiety. natural treatment for anxiety can be a very effective treatment for PTSD and is often coupled with other types of talking therapy to produce the most effective results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a significant issue for people who want to live active lives, but the positive side is that exercise may offer some of the best non-pharmacological treatment options for anxiety. Exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms for hours. A regular schedule of physical activity can also help reduce anxiety.
Although it is well documented that regular exercise provides health benefits, very few studies have examined its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is especially effective in treating anxiety.
The researchers involved in the study, supervised by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson the study enrolled 223 adults suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group fitness program that involved either high or low intensity exercises. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were clear: those who were in the high-intensity group showed significant improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the lower intensity group.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people who are not suffering from the condition. This may contribute to their mental health problems. Physical activity is linked to an increase of 25 percent in the risk of suffering from depression or anxiety disorders than those who are not sedentary.
It's not surprising that exercising can have a positive impact on mental health. It stimulates the release of positive hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. In addition, it helps boost self-esteem and improve the quality of sleep. But the benefits of physical exercise are even greater research has proven that it is just as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody and co-workers identified eight studies comparing groups who exercised with those who did not exercise. Each study found a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their analyses to trials which included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. This means that further research is required to determine whether exercise is an option for those with elevated anxiety levels clinically.