Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can ruin an individual's life by making people feel depressed and exhausted. Stress can prevent people from socializing with others, reinforcing their misguided sense of danger and causing isolation.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medication, as well as exercise. Treatments include antidepressants, such as SSRIs, citalopram and Escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram), as well as benzodiazepines like lorazepam and diazepam.
The effects of medication
Many people experience anxiety at times However, if that feeling lasts for too long or is a hindrance to daily activities, it's the sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are usually used to treat anxiety disorders. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. They should be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants address a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive, and therefore are not recommended for use in the long term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) assist in reducing levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, allowing more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate, and alleviating the anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. SSRIs have a great safety record, and are accessible and effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients might experience side effects like dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also help with anxiety symptoms. I Am Psychiatry are typically used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, but doctors sometimes prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones, such as noradrenaline and adrenaline which can increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also trigger negative side effects, such as orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) and bradycardia (slower than the normal heart rate) and sedation.
Changing your diet and getting enough exercise can ease anxiety. Relaxing activities, such as meditation and yoga. Additionally there are many mind-body therapies that can help ease anxiety, such as Tai chi and acupuncture. Consult your physician about what options might be suitable for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy that is based on scientific research, is effective for treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts physical sensations, and thoughts have a connection and that negative patterns may cause you to be caught in a vicious loop. CBT teaches you to identify the negative patterns of your mind, and implement techniques to control them. It also teaches you how to control your responses to stressful situations and develop coping mechanisms.
In the first session the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This could include filling out questionnaires, conducting an interview, or supplying written materials. This will allow them to identify the specific disorder you suffer from and pinpoint distressing symptoms. It will also help determine whether your current treatments are effective. They will also utilize the assessment to determine if they are able to establish a therapeutic relationship with you.
CBT is usually short-term and will last 20 or fewer sessions. In these sessions, you will see your therapist at least every week or two weeks. Your therapist will teach you various self-help techniques including how to change negative thoughts into positive ones and how to practice positive outcome imagery. They will also assist you to develop coping strategies, such as how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist could also offer tools, like therapy worksheets, which will aid in tracking the symptoms and triggers. They will help you work through your anxiety in small steps to ensure that the process is less intimidating. For example, if you are concerned about social interactions, they might begin with role-playing with your therapist. Then, begin talking to family members or friends.
Another benefit of CBT is behavioural tests. It allows you to challenge your irrational and catastrophic predictions by developing helpful evidence against them. If you are afraid that something terrible will occur to you if leave your home, you can do a behavioural test by making predictions. For example, "If I go for dinner, I'll contract food poisoning." Then, you can note whether or not the prediction was accurate.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a different treatment to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, change their perception of their symptoms, and modify their behavior. It can be used to help overcome fears. It is often used to ease anxiety and stress, but it can also help in reducing pain. The effects of hypnosis may be lasting and the benefits can be seen from just one session.
During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to an audio recording), the therapist will lead you into a trance that is similar to being in a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and then respond. They might ask you to imagine a relaxing and safe place, and then tell you to pay close attention to sensory details that slowly become real. This is referred to as 'deepening trance'. This is when the therapy starts to work and you will start to see a difference in your symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. They might leave the room or open their eyes after the hypnotherapy session, and they are already feeling shifts. This is normal and can sometimes feel magical. However, for some, it can take several sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to allow time for therapy to work.
If you are considering the use of hypnotherapy, it is best to talk to your doctor first. They can discuss your options and answer any questions you might have about the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety. You will need to book an appointment in private for hypnotherapy if you are interested in using hypnosis. These sessions can be expensive but are generally more cost efficient than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event such as a car accident or natural disaster or war, and can cause depression, anxiety and other problems. Symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories as well as night terrors and an increase in anxiety. Hypnotherapy can be an effective method to manage PTSD and is typically used in conjunction with other therapies for optimal results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a significant obstacle for those who want to live active lives, but the good news is that exercise can provide some of the best non-pharmacological treatment options for the condition. Exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms for several hours. A regular routine of physical exercise can help to reduce them.
While it is widely acknowledged that regular exercise can provide positive health effects, few studies have examined the effects of exercise on anxiety. However, a recent study suggests that high intensity exercise routines are particularly beneficial for the condition.
Researchers in the study, were led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 individuals with anxiety issues to 12 weeks of group exercise that included low- or high-intensity workouts. They also provided them with instructions on how they can incorporate exercises into their lives. The results were clear. Participants in the high intensity groups showed a significant improvement in their anxiety levels when compared to those who exercised in low intensity.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety are more sedentary compared to those without the condition. This could contribute to their mental health issues. Physical activity is linked to an increase of 25 percent in the risk of suffering from depression or anxiety disorders than people who are sedentary.
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental well-being. It increases the release of positive hormones like serotonin, dopamine and others. Furthermore, it can help improve self-esteem and the quality of sleep. But the benefits of exercise is greater than that. A variety of studies have found that it can be as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody and co-workers identified eight trials comparing groups that exercised with those who did not exercise. All of the studies found a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their studies to those that included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. It is evident that more research is required to determine if exercise can be an effective treatment option for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.