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Treating Anxiety Disorders Consult a psychiatrist If your anxiety is constant and is affecting your daily routine. Psychologists are experts in psychotherapy and may prescribe medications. Psychologists are medical professionals that specialize in mental health treatments. Counseling, medication and other treatments can help ease your symptoms and help you manage your anxiety. You can also find ways to manage stress, such as learning stress management techniques or joining support groups (in person and online). Medication Anxiety disorders can be treated using psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication, or a combination of both. Talk therapy can help people discover more effective ways to deal with their anxieties and decrease the symptoms. Exercise, sleep and strategies for managing stress can help improve mood. The medications help to reduce anxiety levels and make other treatments more effective. Anxiety disorders are at risk of developing other mental health problems, including depression. The symptoms of depression are often interspersed with symptoms of anxiety therefore it is crucial to treat both simultaneously. A psychiatrist who is trained to treat mental disorders can diagnose anxiety, and prescribe medication to relieve symptoms. The risk of developing anxiety disorders is enhanced by certain life experiences and inherited traits. Traumas, such as a war or car accident can cause anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can be triggered by chronic illnesses or caring for others. Alcohol abuse, particularly alcohol and illegal drugs, can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder. The first option for treating most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants, referred to as SSRIs and SNRIs, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been shown to be efficient in a variety of clinical studies. Diazepam, or Valium can also be used to reduce anxiety quickly. However, they shouldn't be prescribed for more than four weeks at a time because they can be addictive and stop working as well after that. Other types of medication that are commonly used to treat anxiety are beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants such as levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can help to control trembling. Buspirone (BuSpar) in small doses can be helpful for people suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating or a rapid pulse. Some sedatives, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), are only available through prescription. Some people with severe anxiety take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like Anxair (moclobemide). Psychotherapy While it is normal for children to at times to experience fear or anxiety however, these feelings shouldn't interfere with their lives in the present or cause them to withdraw or become isolated from their families, friends, or school. Anxiety disorders can cause severe depression, or other mental health issues that may hinder a person's overall health. These conditions are often treated with psychotherapy (counseling), as well as medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It helps you alter the patterns of thinking and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety. Your therapist will help you discover relaxation techniques and ways to deal with when you experience negative emotions. Exposure therapy is also used to gradually expose you situations that cause anxiety. This is accomplished by making an inventory of your triggers and putting them in order of their intensity, then gradually exposing you to them using a technique known as systematic desensitization. Your therapist will show you how to confront irrational thoughts and expectations. They will assist you in testing your beliefs with experiments, weighing the pros and cons and determining the likelihood that something bad will happen. Psychiatrists can prescribe short-term or long-term medication to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as buspirone and SSRIs can aid in the treatment of various forms of anxiety by altering the chemical levels in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam are effective in encouraging relaxation of muscles and in calming the brain. SNRIs, including Venlafaxine, can ease anxiety by increasing serotonin levels and norepinephrine levels within the brain. Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, address any questions and make changes to your treatment plan when necessary. It could take a while to heal from your disorder depending on its severity. You may need to try different therapists and a variety of methods before you discover one that is effective for you. It is essential to stick to your treatment plan until you see results. The longer you wait to seek help, the more severe your symptoms may become. Therapy for interpersonal relationships Interpersonal therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that is short-term and focuses primarily on solving interpersonal problems. It is usually completed in 12-16 sessions. It is empirically supported and may help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition it has been proven to be effective in the treatment of depression that is comorbid and PTSD. It also helps in addressing work-related and social difficulties in people with PTSD. The opening sessions (1-3) concentrate on gathering information and identifying problematic areas. The therapist may assist you in creating an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist will assist you to identify your issues based on the severity of the problem and the potential for improvement. In the middle of sessions (4-14), you and your therapist will work together to identify solutions for these problematic areas. You will then practice the new strategies in your everyday life between sessions. The most significant feature of IPT is that it frames a patient's health issues as a medical condition, not as a character flaw. This can help ease patients feeling of self-reflection and guilt. It also helps patients recognize that their ailments are the result of the combination of their current circumstances and medical conditions. Choose a therapist that is licensed and specializes in the condition you're dealing with. Check out the therapist's qualifications and background. You may also request referrals from other doctors. Make sure that you and your therapist are on same page regarding the goals of the sessions prior to starting therapy. You may, for instance you'd like to focus on improving your relationship skills or conquering fears of intimacy. Anxiety is normal and a reaction to stressful events. However, it becomes problematic when it gets too intense that it affects your life. People with anxiety disorders usually require psychotherapy and medication to recover. Self-help techniques are a great method to lessen the symptoms of anxiety and help you cope with them. For example breathing exercises and relaxation can reduce your heart rate and help calm your mind. Try to do them several times a day, and pay attention to how your body feels as you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones can reduce anxiety. Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can lower your intake of nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol that can cause or trigger anxiety. Regular exercise relieves tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is believed to boost mood. Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Self-help resources for anxiety include support groups, self help books, and online resources. Some of these resources offer various exercises that can be performed at home, like identifying the triggers for your anxiety and learning to confront your thoughts of anxiety. Some also require face-to-face meetings with therapists and others who have similar issues.
Certain people may require a consultation with a physician in order to determine if they have medical conditions that could be the cause anxiety. Then, they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be crippling, and they can interfere with school, work and social life. They can also trigger depression, which is a high suicide risk. If you don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at a higher risk of developing them into a more serious mental health issue. |
