How Anxiety is Treated
Everyone experiences anxiety at times usually in response to stressful life events. But when these anxiety levels become too much and cause problems with daily life, it may be an indication of anxiety disorder.
A mental health professional can evaluate your symptoms and conduct tests to rule out any other conditions. The use of medication and psychotherapy is available as treatments options.
Medicines
Everyone feels nervous and worried at times, but if they are persistent or interfere with your day-to-day life to the point that you cannot function properly it's time to talk to your mental health professional about medication. If you have anxiety, your physician will help you determine the best medication for you and will also discuss other treatments that may be beneficial, such as psychotherapy, exercise and stress management techniques.
Antidepressants and medications for anxiety reduction are used to treat anxiety. I Am Psychiatry boost the activity of chemicals in your brain, including serotonin that affect your 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 such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are also approved to treat anxiety disorders. Others, such benzodiazepines increase the activity of receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA that has an calming effect.
There are two types of anxiolytic drugs: standing doses, which are taken regularly and as-needed medicines that you use when your anxiety is a major issue. The first one can take a bit of time to work, but they usually alleviate or eliminate your symptoms. As-needed medications are more effective, in about 20 minutes. However, they only enhance anxiety in the time that the medication is in your system.
While medications are a crucial part of your treatment, they can't solve anxiety. Your physician will discuss with you other methods to treat symptoms, such as psychotherapy (talk-therapy), exercise and stress management, as well as self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, progressive muscular relaxation, and biofeedback. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial for many people suffering from anxiety or fear. CBT can help you recognize the thoughts and feelings that trigger your fears, and teach you how to control them. Other treatments include eye movement desensitization as well as Reprocessing, also known as EMDR which can help people overcome trauma and anxiety that is associated with it as well as depression. Certain people can benefit from Acupuncture. This involves placing needles in specific places on the body to ease tension and pain.
Counseling
Counseling (or psychotherapy), aims to help you learn better ways to think and cope with anxiety. It also helps you recognize your triggers and discover the underlying causes. The research-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as interpersonal therapy, and exposure therapy are effective for treating anxiety. These therapies can also be incorporated into a pharmacotherapy treatment plan.
It is important to know that you are not alone if anxiety is affecting your life. Anxiety affects nearly 40 million adults in the US and the stress and nervousness can cause problems in all areas of your life. There are a variety of mental health professionals that can help. These include psychologists, counselors and social workers. WithTherapy will match you with a therapist who is uniquely matched to meet your requirements and preferences.
Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from symptoms such as dread or restlessness or having trouble sleeping. Often, these feelings are triggered by certain events or situations. Counselling can teach you how to recognize these triggers and how to manage them to help you feel better.
The effects of therapy may last for months or even years after the treatment has finished. This is due to the fact that, unlike medication psychotherapy helps you learn how to overcome your anxious thoughts and behavior.
Apart from understanding the triggers that cause anxiety, counseling can offer a safe space for you to discuss your emotions with someone who is on the same path as you. The ruminations, negative or depressing thoughts, and worrying are all common symptoms of anxiety that can be helped by talking them out with counselors.
Some people seek relief using herbal remedies and supplements in addition to psychological therapy. However, it's important to note that these options aren't controlled by the FDA in the same way that prescription drugs are and can have dangerous adverse effects. Before you start taking herbs or supplements, you should consult with your doctor. You can join a support group of people who suffer from anxiety and meet other people who understand your situation.
Self-help strategies
Anxiety is more than just an emotion, it can cause real physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations and nausea. Although there are a few medical conditions that can cause anxiety, the majority times it is caused by lifestyle factors like inadequate nutrition, insufficient exercise, and sleep issues. Self-management strategies are a great way to enhance your life quality and control these symptoms. These include relaxation exercises including avoiding nicotine and caffeine, sleeping more and practicing effective stress management. Regular exercise is also recommended to boost serotonin levels. This can help to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Self-help methods are usually more effective in managing anxiety symptoms than medications. They can include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which teaches patients how to recognize and change negative thoughts patterns. Another option is exposure therapy, which helps people confront the situations or objects that cause anxiety by gradually increasing their interaction with them. This may be done through imagination or by actually going into the feared situation. Exposure therapy is usually used in conjunction with CBT.
Some people with anxiety have found that keeping a log of symptoms is helpful. This can be a way to keep track of the frequency and severity of the symptoms, as well as how they affect daily activities and relationships. Keeping a journal can also help a person determine the root of their anxiety, including specific triggers and stressors. Additionally, one can join an anxiety support group to connect with people who suffer from anxiety and talk about their experiences.
Other treatments for anxiety include psychotherapy and other forms of counseling. A psychiatrist, who is an expert in mental health, is able to prescribe medication. Psychotherapy is offered by a psychologist or other mental health professional who can assist you to talk about your concerns and devise strategies for coping. The most common form of therapy for anxiety is cognitive behavior therapy also known as CBT which is a type psychotherapy which has been proven to be effective in clinical trials.
Psychotherapy
Medications help treat anxiety, but therapy can do what medication cannot: it empowers people with the ability to take control of their bodies and emotions when stress takes over their lives. Clinical trials conducted in randomised fashion show that psychotherapy is more effective than medications in reducing anxiety symptoms, and its effects endure well beyond the time of treatment.
The most common method of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT, patients learn skills to manage anxiety by identifying negative thoughts that trigger fear. Then they replace these thoughts with realistic, calming ones. Patients also learn different coping strategies that will help them manage the symptoms, for example, learning to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Another type of psychotherapy that can be beneficial for anxiety is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which teaches individuals to acknowledge and deal with their worries in a healthy manner, instead of absconding from them. This kind of therapy encourages patients try new things, and then gradually confront their fears, until they are able to manage them without difficulty. Other techniques for coping include eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR) which is a method that uses repetitive eye movements back and forth to alter negative emotions to memories causing anxiety.
Stress-reduction and exercise techniques are a part of psychotherapy for anxiety. Regular exercise helps keep blood pressure and heart rates at a healthy level which can help alleviate anxiety symptoms. A balanced diet with lower sugar levels and caffeine limits can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms.
The most effective psychotherapists are able to communicate with you in a way that you feel comfortable discussing your feelings and opening up. However, finding a good therapist could take some time, and it's common to have clients meet with several therapists before settling on an ideal fit. To get the most benefit from therapy requires patience, commitment and a constant communication with your Therapist.