Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can sabotage the quality of life of an individual because it makes them feel overwhelmed, depressed, and tired. Stress can hinder people from socializing, creating a false feeling that they are in danger and creating isolation.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medication, and exercise. Medications include antidepressants such as SSRIs, citalopram and Escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram) as well as benzodiazepines such as lorazepam or diazepam.
Medicines
Anxiety disorders arise as a result of anxiety that lasts for too long or is a hindrance to daily life. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they cannot solve anxiety disorders. They should be used along in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. I Am Psychiatry can correct a imbalance of the chemicals 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 not recommended for long-term.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of the cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, permitting more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate and ease 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, effective for most people, and have a favorable safety profile. Cons Some patients experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Propranolol and various other psychiatric medications can also help with anxiety symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems however, doctors can prescribe them "off-label" for anxiety. They help to lessen the effects of stress hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline which can increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
Change your diet and ensuring you get enough exercise can help alleviate anxiety. Meditation and yoga can also aid in relieving anxiety. There are also treatments for the mind like acupuncture and tai chi which can help ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor about the options that are right for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a psychotherapy based on scientific evidence and proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and physical sensations are connected and that negative patterns can cause you to be caught in a vicious circle. CBT helps you identify the negative patterns of your mind and implement strategies to control them. It also teaches how to regulate your responses to stressful situations and develop coping mechanisms.
In the first session a therapist usually performs an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or supplying written materials. It will help them understand your specific illness, identify the signs that are distressing and determine if your current treatment options are effective. They will also utilize the assessment to determine if they are able to develop an therapeutic relationship with you.
CBT is typically short-term and will last for 20 or less sessions. During these sessions, will meet with your therapist at least every week or twice a week. Your therapist will teach various self-help techniques like how to reframe negative thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also help you develop coping skills, such as how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist could also offer you different tools, like therapy worksheets that will aid in tracking your triggers and symptoms. They can help you work through your anxiety in smaller steps, so that the process seems less daunting. For instance, if you are worried about social interactions, they could start by playing a role with your therapist and then move on to talking to family members or friends.
CBT also involves behavioural studies. It allows you to challenge your irrational and catastrophic predictions by developing helpful evidence to counter them. For instance, if you fear that something terrible will occur if you leave the home, you could conduct a behavioural experiment by making a prediction prior to going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I will get food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was correct or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be a viable alternative to medications for anxiety. It employs hypnosis to aid people to change their perceptions about their symptoms, modify their behavior and relax. It can also be used to conquer phobias. It helps to ease stress and anxiety, but can also help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can be lasting and the benefits can be felt after just one session.
During a hypnosis session (or when listening to a recording), the therapist will lead you into a state of trance that feels a bit like being in a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and then respond. They may ask you imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing and then ask you to pay attention to the sensory details that gradually become real. This is referred to as "deepening trance". This is when the therapy will begin to work and you will start to see a difference in your symptoms.
Many people find that they notice a change immediately. They may leave the room or open their eyes following an hypnotherapy session and notice shifts. This is quite normal and sometimes it can be awe-inspiring. For some however, it could require several sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal and it's crucial to give the therapy time to get it working.
Always consult your doctor prior to starting hypnotherapy. They can discuss your options and answer any questions that you might have about hypnotherapy for anxiety. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS therefore you'll have to arrange an appointment with a licensed therapist. These sessions can be expensive but are generally more cost effective than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is often used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event like a car accident or natural disaster, or even war, and can cause anxiety, depression and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include disturbing memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a successful treatment for PTSD and is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to produce the most effective results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. Exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular schedule of physical activity can also aid in reducing them.
Although it is well documented that regular exercise provides health benefits, very few studies have examined the effects it has on anxiety. However, a recent study suggests that intense exercises are particularly effective for the condition.
The researchers involved in the study, led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson The study assigned 223 people suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group workout program that involved either high or low intensity workouts. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were evident. Participants in the high intensity groups showed significant improvements in anxiety levels compared to those who exercised in low intensity.
These findings have implications on the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who do not suffer from the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health issues. Research suggests that those who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those who are inactive.
It's not surprising that exercising can have a positive impact on mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones like serotonin as well as dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. However, the benefits of physical activity is even greater than that. A number of studies have proven that it is just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis done by Jayakody et al. identified eight studies which compared groups who exercised against those who did not exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers limited their studies to those that involved participants with an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. It is evident that more research is required to determine if exercise can be an effective solution for those with elevated levels of anxiety.