Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on a person's life by making them feel depressed and tired. The fear of being anxious can make people unable to socializing, creating a false feeling that they are in danger and creating a sense of isolation.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medication, as well as exercise. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam.
Medicines
Anxiety disorders result of anxiety that lasts too long or is a hindrance to daily activities. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and psychotherapy. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they are not able to solve anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy and other lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance within the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that are fast-acting to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and should not be used long-term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) assist in reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. They also block the brain's receptors that absorb serotonin which allows more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate. This reduces 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 have side effects, such as dry mouth dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also help with anxiety symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, but doctors sometimes prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline which can increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation.
You can reduce anxiety by adjusting your diet and getting enough exercise. Meditation and yoga can also help ease anxiety. In addition there are treatments for the mind and body that can help with anxiety, including acupuncture and tai chi. Talk to your doctor about the options that might be the best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a scientifically-based psychotherapy that works in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into a vicious cycle. CBT teaches you to identify your negative thought patterns and implement strategies to control them. It also helps you control your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and to develop strategies for coping.
In the first sessions, a therapist will typically conduct an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or even supplying written material. This will help them determine the cause of your disorder and pinpoint the distressing symptoms. It will also help determine if your current treatments are effective. The test will also be used to determine if you are able to have a an therapeutic relationship.
CBT is usually short-term, and will last for 20 or less sessions. In these sessions, you will meet with your therapist at a minimum every week or twice a week. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help techniques, such as how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also teach you coping skills like how to quiet your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist may also give you different tools, like therapy worksheets that will aid in tracking your symptoms and triggers. They can help you work through your anxiety in small steps, so that the process becomes less daunting. For instance, if you are worried about social interactions, they may start by playing a role with your therapist and then move on to talking to friends or family members.
Another aspect of CBT is behavioural tests. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by proving them. For example, if you are worried that something catastrophic will occur if you leave your house, you can conduct a behavioural experiment by predicting a scenario prior to going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." You can then record whether your prediction was correct or not.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment for anxiety that is not a medication. It employs hypnosis to aid people to change their perceptions about their symptoms, change their behavior and relax. It can be utilized to overcome fears. It is used to reduce anxiety and stress however, it can also assist with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be observed after just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist will guide you into a state of mind that is like a dream. In this relaxed state you are able to respond and listen to suggestions given by the therapist. They might ask you to imagine a safe and peaceful place, and then they will tell you to pay attention to the sensory details as they slowly become more real. This is referred to as a "deepening state of trance.' This is where the therapy starts to work and you'll begin to notice a difference in your symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. They can walk out of the room or even open their eyes following the hypnotherapy session, and they notice shifts. This is normal, and it can also feel mystical. For some, however it may take a few sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to give therapy time to be effective.
If you're considering the possibility of hypnotherapy you should talk to your doctor first. They will be able to answer any concerns you may have regarding hypnotherapy and also discuss your options. You'll need to book an appointment in private in order to utilize hypnosis. These sessions can be expensive but they are usually more effective than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
In certain situations the use of hypnosis is used to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by an event that was traumatic, such as a car crash or natural disaster, or war. It can trigger anxiety, depression and other issues. Symptoms of PTSD are arousing memory as well as night terrors and an increase in anxiety. Hypnotherapy is a great method to manage PTSD and is typically combined with other talking therapies for optimal results.
resource for this article is a major obstacle for those who are looking to live active lives, but the positive side is that exercise could be one of the most effective alternatives to treat the disorder. A single vigorous exercise session can ease anxiety symptoms for hours and a regular schedule of physical activity may significantly reduce them over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, very few studies have examined the effects of exercise on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that intense exercise routines are particularly beneficial for anxiety disorders.
The researchers involved in the study, led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson the study enrolled 223 adults suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group exercise program that included either high or low intensity exercises. They also provided them with instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their life. The results were clear for those who were in the high intensity group showed significantly greater improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low intensity group.
These results have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people who are not suffering from the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health issues. Research shows that those who are physically active are less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those who are sitting down.
Exercise has a positive impact on mental well-being. It boosts the release of good-feeling hormones, such as dopamine, serotonin and other. It can also improve sleep and boost 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 conducted by Jayakody et al. identified eight studies that compared exercise groups with those who did not exercise. The studies all showed an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers restricted their analysis to studies that involved participants with an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. It is clear that more research is needed to determine if exercise is an effective solution for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.