Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can sabotage the quality of life of a person because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed, and stressed. Worry can prevent people from interacting, reinforcing a misguided sense that they are in danger and creating a sense of isolation.
Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all a part of the treatment of anxiety. The medications include antidepressants like SSRIs, citalopram and escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram), as well as benzodiazepines such as lorazepam or diazepam.
Medications
Anxiety disorders arise as a result of anxiety that lasts too long or interferes in daily activities. Psychotherapy and medication are usually employed to treat anxiety disorders. While medications can alleviate the symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. They should be used along alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.
The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines. Antidepressants can correct a imbalance of chemical substances in the brain, which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's response to anxiety. They can also be addictive and therefore not recommended for long-term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) assist in reducing levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, allowing more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate, and alleviating 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 widely available and effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients may suffer from side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also help with anxiety symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions however, doctors can prescribe them "off-label" for anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones, like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also have adverse effects such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
You can reduce anxiety by changing your diet and getting enough exercise. Relaxing activities such as meditation and yoga can aid in relieving anxiety. Additionally, there are mind-body treatments that can help ease anxiety such as the acupuncture method and tai chi. Consult your physician about the options that might be best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a scientifically-based psychotherapy that works in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can trap you in the cycle of. CBT teaches you to identify your negative thought patterns, and implement techniques to help you manage them. It also helps you regulate your responses to anxiety-producing situations and to develop strategies for coping.
In the initial sessions the therapist will usually perform an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or even supplying written material. This will help them identify the specific disorder you suffer from and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also determine if your current treatments are effective. They will also utilize the assessment to determine if they are able to build an emotional connection with you.
CBT is typically short-term and will last 20 or less sessions. Your therapist will visit you at least once a week during these sessions. Your therapist will teach various self-help methods that include how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also assist you to learn coping skills including how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist might offer you tools, such as therapy worksheets, which will aid you in identifying symptoms and triggers. They can help you conquer your anxiety in small steps that are manageable and so that it doesn't seem as daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist might invite you to play with them before moving on to talking to family or friends.
Another benefit of CBT are behavioural experiments. anxiety disorder treatments at home can help you challenge your irrational catastrophe predictions by proving them. For example, if you think that something awful will occur if you leave the home, you could conduct a behavioural experiment by making a prediction before going out, like "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 a viable alternative to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, alter their perception of their symptoms, and modify their behavior. It can be used to help overcome phobias. It helps to ease anxiety and stress and can help with pain. The effects of hypnosis may be lasting and the benefits can be seen from just one session.
During a session of hypnosis (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist guides you into a state of mind that feels like a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you can hear the therapist's suggestions and then respond. They may ask you to imagine a safe and comfortable space and then ask you to pay close attention to the sensory details that gradually become real. This is known as a 'deepening trance'. This is when the therapy begins to take effect and you will begin to notice a change in your symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. They might leave the room or even open their eyes following the hypnotherapy session, and they are already feeling an improvement. This is normal and can sometimes feel magical. For some however, it might take a few sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal and it is essential to give the therapy time to work.
Always consult your doctor prior to starting hypnotherapy. They can discuss your options and answer any questions you may have about the benefits of hypnotherapy for anxiety. Hypnosis is not offered on the NHS so you will need to arrange a private session with a qualified therapist. These sessions can be expensive but are generally more cost effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances it is possible to use hypnosis to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by traumatizing events like a car accident, natural disaster, or even war. It can cause anxiety, depression and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great method to manage PTSD and is typically used in conjunction with other therapies to get the best results.
Exercise
Exercise is a great treatment for anxiety. A vigorous workout session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours and a consistent routine of physical exercise could drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, very few studies have looked specifically at its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers who participated in the study led University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people with anxiety issues to a 12-week program of group exercise that included low- or high-intensity workouts. They also gave them tips on how to integrate fitness into their lives. The results were evident. Those in the high-intensity groups had a significant decrease in their anxiety levels when compared to those in low intensity.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise programmes in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who do not suffer from the condition and the absence of physical activity could contribute to their psychiatric disorders. Physical activity is associated with an increase of 25 percent in the chance of developing depression or anxiety disorders than sedentary people.
Exercise has a positive impact on mental health. It boosts the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and others. Furthermore, it can help boost self-esteem and improve the quality of sleep. But the benefits of physical exercise is more than that: a number of studies have shown that it can be as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al. identified eight studies that compared groups that exercised with those who didn't exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers limited their analysis to studies that involved participants with an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. It is clear that further research is needed to determine if exercise is an effective solution for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.