Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy the quality of life of an individual because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed, and stressed. Worry can prevent people from socializing, creating a false belief that they are in danger, and creating a sense of isolation.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medications, and exercise. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medicines
Many people experience anxiety at times however, when the feeling lasts for a long time or becomes a problem in daily life, it's the sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medications are typically used to treat anxiety disorders. While medication can help alleviate symptoms, they don't treat anxiety disorders. Therefore, they should be employed in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are often prescribed to combat anxiety. Antidepressants correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and should not be used long-term.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. They also block brain receptors that absorb serotonin and allow more of the mood-enhancing chemical. This eases 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 are effective for a majority of people. Pros: Some patients could suffer from side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
Propranolol and various other psychiatric medications can also help with anxiety symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart ailments, but doctors sometimes prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They act to blunt the effect of stress hormones in the body, including noradrenaline and adrenaline. These hormones increase your heart rate and blood pressure. They can also have adverse effects such as orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia and sedation.
You can reduce anxiety by changing your diet and getting enough exercise. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can aid in relieving anxiety. In addition there are treatments for the mind and body that can help ease anxiety, including acupuncture and tai chi. Talk to your doctor about the options that are appropriate for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy based on scientific evidence that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and physical sensations have a common connection, and that negative patterns can trap you in a vicious loop. CBT helps you identify negative patterns of thought and apply strategies to manage them. It also helps you control your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and develop coping strategies.
In the initial session, a therapist usually performs an assessment. This could involve filling out questionnaires, conducting interviews, or even providing written material. They will be able to understand your specific disorder, pinpoint distressing symptoms and determine if the current treatments are working. The test will also be used to determine if you are able to have a an emotional connection.
CBT is typically short-term and can last for 20 or less sessions. You will see your therapist every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will teach various self-help methods like how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also teach you coping skills such as how to relax your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist may also give you various tools, like therapy worksheets to aid in tracking your triggers and symptoms. They can help you conquer anxiety in small steps that are manageable so that it doesn't appear as daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist could allow you to role-play them, and then move on to talking to your family or friends.
anxiety depression treatment includes behavioural experiments. It can help you question your irrational, catastrophic predictions by generating evidence to counter them. If you're afraid that something bad could occur to you if leave your house you can conduct an behavioural test by making predictions. For example, "If I go for dinner, I'll contract food poisoning." Then, you'll be able to note whether or not the prediction was accurate.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be a viable alternative to medication for anxiety. It utilizes hypnosis to assist people change their perceptions of their symptoms, modify their behaviors, and relax. It can be used to help overcome fears. It can be used to decrease anxiety and stress and can help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and the benefits can be felt after just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded recording), the therapist guides you into a state of mind that feels like a daydream. In this relaxed state, you can hear and respond to suggestions from the therapist. They may ask you imagine a safe and comfortable space, and then tell you to pay attention to the sensory details that slowly become real. This is known as a 'deepening state of trance.' This is the point where you begin to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change straight away. After hypnotherapy it is possible to feel the shift immediately after they leave the room or open their eyes. This is quite normal and may feel like magic. However, for some it may take a few sessions before they can see any positive changes. This is normal and it is essential to allow time for the therapy to get it working.
Always consult your doctor before undergoing treatment with hypnotherapy. They can discuss your options and answer any questions you might have about hypnotherapy for anxiety. Hypnosis is not available on the NHS so you will need to schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist. The sessions can be costly but they are usually more efficient than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This condition is caused by trauma like a car accident or natural disaster or war and it causes depression, anxiety and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include disturbing memories, nightmares, and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD and is usually used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a major issue for people who want to live active lives however the good news is that exercise can provide some of the most effective alternatives to treat the disorder. Exercise can help reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular schedule of physical exercise can help to reduce them.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, only a few studies have focused on its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is especially effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers who participated in the study under the direction of University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults who suffer from anxiety to an intensive 12-week program of group exercise that included high-intensity or low-intensity exercises. They also provided them with instructions on how to incorporate fitness into their routines. The results were evident 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 schemes in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people without the condition, and the absence of physical activity could cause psychiatric issues for them. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to develop anxiety disorders or depression than those who are sedentary.
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental health. It boosts the release of good-feeling hormones, such as dopamine, serotonin and other. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. But the benefit of exercise is higher than that. A variety of studies have proven that it can be just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al identified eight trials that compared exercise groups against those who did not exercise. All of the studies showed a decrease in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their analysis to studies that involved participants with an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. This means that more research is needed to determine if exercise is an option for people with clinically raised anxiety levels.