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Treatments For Anxiety Disorders Everyone experiences anxiety or worries from time to time. However, those with anxiety disorders suffer from chronic and severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. There are a myriad of treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy and medication. You may have to try a variety of treatments before you can find one that is effective. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is a form of treatment in which a licensed mental health professional or trained psychologist meets with a couple, an individual or a group of family members. It is focused on helping patients understand the origins of their anxiety, what causes it and how they can alter their behavior. Psychotherapy is available in many forms: cognitive therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy. However, the majority of therapies have the same objective that is to alleviate suffering. Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and often deprive people of their quality of life. They can be characterized by symptoms such as pounding heartbeat, slow breathing, general discomfort or jitteriness, as well as the feeling that danger is imminent. Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may also exhibit avoidant behaviors that restrict their activities and restrict them from socializing with others. Most anxiety disorders are treatable. The most commonly used treatments are psychotherapy and medication. Based on the diagnosis and severity of the disorder, various psychotherapy methods are employed. Patients with panic disorder, for instance can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment combines the behavioral and cognitive components of treatment. Through cognitive therapy, NYU Langone therapists help patients identify the negative thoughts that trigger panic attacks and teach them strategies to change their thoughts. Therapy for behavior encourages patients to engage in activities or situations that cause anxiety. For instance public speaking, or being enclosed in a tiny space. This helps them realize that their feared outcome is unlikely to happen and is known as extinction. In addition to CBT and other psychotherapy techniques, other methods include psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy and family psychotherapy. These kinds of therapy are targeted at solving interpersonal issues that can trigger anxiety. For example conflict or grievances that are unresolved with friends or family. They can also assist people cope with changes in their relationships and at work which can create anxiety for certain people. Dialectical behavior therapy, also known as DBT is a brand new method of treating anxiety. It helps patients learn to accept things they can't control, while still working towards change. Combining these skills can reduce anxiety and improve the quality of life for patients. While medication is not a cure for anxiety disorders but it can help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Talk therapy is a key component of treatment. Numerous research-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT) as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy, have proven to be efficient. SSRIs are the medications of choice for treating most anxiety disorders. They alter how the brain reacts to stress and other triggers. They can cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness fatigue, lack of appetite and diarrhea. Some people need to take several antidepressants to get the desired effect. These are sedatives that quickly reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat, sweating and tremors. They are often prescribed as a short-term treatment for severe anxiety attacks. However they can be addictive and do not work well when taken longer than four weeks. Other options for sedatives are the clonazepam (Klonopin) and alprazolam (Xanax). They can reduce anxiety quickly, but are not a long-term solution as they can accumulate within the body. In rare cases the doctor might prescribe a medication known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). These older drugs increase the amount of certain neurotransmitters within the brain to regulate mood and are used to treat panic disorder and social fear. They may interact negatively with certain drugs, such as SSRIs. This is the reason why they are only prescribed to patients who have not responded to other treatments. Talk therapy can teach you strategies to manage anxiety-related symptoms. Therapists employ various methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy and creative or artistic therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually moving toward situations that cause anxiety that you would typically avoid in order to learn how to handle them without having an attack. This can include imaginal or simulated exposure to live, in-vivo and virtual exposure to reality. You can help control your symptoms by eating healthy taking enough rest, waking up early and exercise, and staying away from alcohol and recreational drugs. Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals including B vitamins and folic acid. Some herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been studied as a possible treatment for anxiety, but the results are mixed. Herbal remedies do not have the same regulations as prescription drugs, and they can be harmful or ineffective. Self-help groups or support groups Many people suffering from anxiety disorders benefit from support groups to manage their symptoms. They are usually open to anyone, and provide a safe space for people to share their feelings and experiences. They can also be a place to help people develop how to cope. These coping strategies can help individuals feel more at control of their lives. Support groups for anxiety can help members increase their self-esteem, and also improve their quality of living. There are a variety of anxiety support groups, including those run by instructors who are trained and those that are peer-driven. You must decide which one best suits your needs and lifestyle. Some groups have a set schedule and others are accessible anytime. Some groups meet in person, while others can be reached via audio or video calls. Many groups have online chat rooms and discussion forums where you can communicate with others in real time. One of these groups is SMART Recovery, which offers assistance for people suffering from anxiety and other mental health issues. Meetings are available both in person and online. You can attend any time to suit your schedule. The program employs scientifically proven methods to teach coping skills and help participants overcome their fears.
Another option is the The Tribe wellness community, which offers peer-to-peer assistance for those suffering from anxiety. The site allows members to share their stories and experiences via chat rooms and forums online. It also has a blog. In addition, the site has a mobile app that lets users access support resources from anywhere. In addition to offering emotional assistance anxiety support groups also help people manage their anxiety by teaching them strategies for coping. These coping techniques can be used alone or together with other treatment options. Many anxiety support groups provide a variety of educational materials, including podcasts, videos and webinars. Some support groups also offer services for specific groups such as veterans and those of ethnicity. Stress management Stress management is a key part of treating anxiety disorders. Stress management involves identifying the causes of anxiety and learning to cope with them, as well taking steps to reduce the sources. This is typically accomplished through psychotherapy and occasionally medication as well. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular psychotherapy that is used to treat anxiety disorders. Through CBT you are taught to identify the patterns of thought that trigger your anxious feelings and work on changing these thoughts. You also develop habits that reduce anxiety, such as using relaxation techniques. CBT is typically short-term. If you keep attending sessions, you are more likely to see positive results. Keep in mind that overcoming anxiety takes time and commitment. You may have to confront your fears, which can be uncomfortable at times, to find relief. Medicines can also be an important component of your treatment. Antidepressants can be very effective, and they are particularly the latest agents which have a lower risk of adverse effects than older monoamine oxidase inhibitors as well as TCAs. They include SSRIs like fluoxetine, sertraline and citalopram, as well as other antianxiety medicines, including nefazodone and mirtazapine. In some cases benzodiazepines can be used to relieve severe anxiety. Meditation and deep breathing are two other treatments that can help relieve anxiety symptoms. Exercise can also help reduce anxiety, and it's essential to maintain a healthy diet. It's essential to stay clear of drinking alcohol and other illicit substances, since they can increase your anxiety. Other treatments that can help those suffering from anxiety disorders include interpersonal therapy, which focuses on interactions and relationships with others, and dialectical behavior therapy, which teaches skills such as assertiveness. Being able communicate your needs and feelings in a clear honest way can help lower your stress levels and improve self-esteem. Other strategies for reducing stress could include joining a support group, learning relaxation techniques or using the hypnotherapy method. Check with your insurance provider to see if these services are covered. Additionally, some find that biofeedback is helpful. During this process, you watch your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and gradually learn to control them at will. |
