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Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Exercise psychotherapy, medication, and exercise are all a part of the treatment of anxiety. The medications can include antidepressants like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam. Medicines People are generally anxious at times however, when the feeling lasts for too long or becomes a problem in daily life, it's an indication of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are usually employed to treat anxiety disorders. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety. Antidepressants address a chemical imbalance within the brain, which can cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's response to anxiety. They can also be addictive and should not be used for long periods of time. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of the cortisol, a 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 helps reduce anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. SSRIs have a good safety record, and are widely available and are effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth. Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also help with anxiety symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. However, doctors can prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They also can cause negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation. You can reduce anxiety by changing your diet and working out regularly. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can aid in relieving anxiety. There are also mind-body treatments such as acupuncture and Tai Chi that can help with anxiety. Talk to your doctor about the options that are suitable for you. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy is a research-based psychotherapy that is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations all have a connection and that negative patterns can trap you in a vicious loop. CBT helps you recognize your negative thoughts patterns, and implement techniques that will help you control them. It also teaches you to manage your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and to develop strategies for coping. In the initial session in the first session, a therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires or conducting an interview or supplying written materials. This will help them determine the cause of your disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also help determine whether your current treatments are working. The test will also be used to determine if you are able to have a an emotional connection. CBT usually lasts for 20 sessions or less. During these sessions, will see your therapist at least every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help strategies, such as how to redirect negative thoughts and to practice positive outcome imagery. They will also help you learn coping skills including how to relax your body and relax your mind. Your therapist may also offer tools, like therapy worksheets, which will help you track the symptoms and triggers. They can help you work through your anxiety in smaller steps to ensure that the process seems less daunting. For example, if you are worried about social interactions, they could start by having you role play with your therapist. Then, proceed to talk to friends or family members. Another benefit of CBT are behavioural experiments. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by proving them. For example, if think that something awful will occur if you leave your home, you could conduct an experiment in your behavioural style by making a prediction before going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I will be sick with food poisoning." You can then determine if your prediction was true or false. Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy can be used as a supplement to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis helps people relax, change their perception of their symptoms, and alter their behavior. It can be used to help overcome fears. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety, but can also help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and the benefits can be felt from just one session. During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to recordings), the therapist will lead you into a trance state that feels a bit like being in a dream. In https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment relaxed state you can hear the therapist's suggestions and respond. They may ask you imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing and then instruct you to pay attention to sensory details that slowly become real. This is referred to as "deepening trance". This is the point where the therapy starts to work and you will begin to notice a difference in your symptoms. Many people notice a shift immediately. After hypnotherapy you can feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or close their eyes. This is quite normal, and at times it can feel magical. For some, however it could take a few sessions before they can see any positive changes. This is normal and it is important to allow the therapy time to get it working. Always consult your doctor before undergoing the hypnotherapy method. They can discuss your options and answer any questions that you might have regarding the benefits of hypnotherapy for anxiety. You will need to book an appointment in private if you want to use the hypnotic method. These sessions can be expensive but they are usually more efficient than other forms of treatment for anxiety. In some cases it is possible to use hypnosis to treat PTSD. This is a condition that occurs following a traumatic experience like a car crash, natural disaster, or even war. It can trigger depression, anxiety and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD are intrusive memories, night terrors, and an increase in anxiety. Hypnotherapy is a successful treatment for PTSD and is usually coupled with other types of talking therapy to achieve the best results. Exercise Exercise is a great treatment for anxiety. A vigorous workout session can relieve anxiety symptoms for hours, and a consistent routine of exercise can dramatically reduce them over time. While it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, very few studies have specifically examined the effects it has on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety. Researchers in the study, were led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people who suffer from anxiety to a 12-week program of group exercise that comprised low- or high-intensity workouts. They also gave them tips on how to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. The results were evident for those who were who were in the high-intensity group showed significantly more improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low intensity group. These findings are relevant to the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than those who do not suffer from the condition and the absence of physical activity may contribute to their psychiatric disorders. Research suggests that those who are physically active are less likely to suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder than those who are inactive. It's not surprising that exercise can improve mental health. It triggers the release of hormones that make you feel good, such as serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, it can help improve self-esteem and the quality of sleep. However, the benefits of exercise is more than that: a number of studies have shown that it can be just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety. A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody et al identified eight studies which compared groups who exercised with those who did not exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers restricted their studies to those that included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. This means that more research is needed to determine if exercise is an option for those with elevated anxiety levels clinically. |
