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Treating Anxiety Disorders

Speak to a mental health professional If your anxiety is constant and is affecting your daily routine. Psychologists are experts in psychotherapy and are able to prescribe medications. Psychologists are medical doctors that specialize in treating mental health issues.

You can manage your anxiety by taking advantage of medications, counseling, and other treatments. There are other ways to manage your anxiety, such as learning stress management techniques or joining support groups (in person or online).

Medication

Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication, or a combination of both. Talk therapy helps people find better ways to cope with their anxieties and decrease the symptoms. Exercise, sleep and strategies for managing stress can aid in improving mood. The medications can reduce anxiety levels and make the other treatments more effective.

People with an anxiety disorder are more susceptible to developing other mental health problems, including depression. The symptoms of depression are often interspersed with those of anxiety, therefore it is crucial to treat both simultaneously. A doctor who specializes in treating mental illness (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medications to treat the symptoms.

The risk of developing anxiety disorders is increased by specific life experiences and inherited traits. Traumas, such as car accidents or war can cause anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can be triggered by chronic illnesses or caring for others. Drug abuse, especially alcohol and illegal drugs can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.

The first treatment choice for the majority of anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Modern antidepressants called SNRIs and SSRIs like escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) have been shown to be effective in numerous clinical studies. Diazepam, also known as Valium, can also be used to reduce anxiety swiftly. However, they shouldn’t be prescribed for more than 4 weeks because they can become addicting and do not work as effectively after that.

Other types of medication that are used to treat anxiety include beta-blockers, like propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants like levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can assist in reducing the shaking. The use of low doses of antipsychotics like buspirone (BuSpar) are helpful for people who have physical symptoms of anxiety like a fast heartbeat or sweating.

Some sedatives such as clonazepam (Klonopin) can only be obtained by prescription. Certain people who suffer from extreme anxiety may use monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as Anxair (moclobemide).

Psychotherapy

While it is normal for children to at times to feel fear or anxiety but these feelings shouldn’t impact their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or isolate themselves 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. Patients suffering from these disorders typically require psychotherapy (counseling) as well as medication to treat their symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing the habits of thought that trigger anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you on relaxation techniques and help you discover ways to deal with negative feelings. Exposure therapy can also be used to gradually expose you to situations that cause anxiety. This is accomplished by making the triggers you are most sensitive to and ranking them according to their intensity, then gradually exposing you to them using a technique known as systematic desensitization.

Your therapist will also show you how to confront your unfounded predictions and harmful thoughts. They’ll show you how to test your negative beliefs by performing experiments, weighing up the pros and cons of avoiding or worrying and determining the most realistic probabilities that something bad might happen.

Psychiatrists can prescribe either short-term or longer-term medications to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and buspirone may help with anxiety by altering the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam can help in promoting relaxation of muscles and calming the brain. SNRIs, including Venlafaxine, can ease anxiety by boosting serotonin and norepinephrine levels within the brain.

Psychiatrists are able to monitor your symptoms and respond to any questions. They will also make the necessary changes to your treatment plan. It could take some time to recover from your condition dependent on the severity of your condition. You may have to try various therapists or treatments before you discover the one that is most effective for you. It is crucial to stick to your treatment plan to get outcomes. The longer you put off the decision to seek help, the worse your symptoms may become.

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy is a kind of short-term psychotherapy that is focused on solving interpersonal problems. It typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions to complete. It has been scientifically proven to help improve anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition it has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of depression that is comorbid and PTSD. It can also be used to tackle issues with work and social interaction for those suffering from PTSD.

The initial sessions (1-3) are focused on gathering information and identifying trouble areas. The therapist can help you create the list of your most important relationships. The therapist can then help you to prioritize these issues based on your requirements and the potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4-14), you and your therapy therapist will collaborate to identify solutions to these areas of concern. You will then apply these new strategies to your daily life in between sessions.

The most significant feature of IPT is that it frames the patient’s health issues as a medical condition, not as a flaw in their character. This can ease patients from feelings of guilt and self-criticism. It also helps patients recognize that their symptoms are a combination of their current situation and medical conditions.

Choose a therapist that is licensed and has a specialization in the condition you are dealing with. Find out about the therapist’s education and experience. You can also ask for recommendations from other doctors. Before starting therapy, make sure that you and your therapist agree on the goals of the sessions. For instance, you might prefer to work on improving your interpersonal skills or conquering your fears of intimacy.

Self-help

Anxiety is a normal reaction to some stressful events, but it becomes a disorder when it is so intense that it causes problems with your life. Many people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy and medication to recover. But some self-help methods can reduce symptoms and make them easier to deal with. For example, breathing exercises and relaxation can reduce your heart rate and help calm you down. Try these exercises a few times per week, and pay attention to how your body feels when you breathe in and out. Recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them by positive ones can ease anxiety.

Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can lower your intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, which can aggravate or cause anxiety. Regular exercise relieves tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is thought to improve mood. Try to complete at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

Self-help tools for anxiety include support groups, self help books, and online resources. Some of these resources offer activities you can perform at home, like identifying your anxiety triggers and learning to confront your anxiety. Some of these resources also offer face-to-face sessions with therapists or others who have the same issue.

Psychological interventions are the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders, and they include cognitive behavioural therapy, which assists you in changing the patterns of thinking that can cause anxiety; exposure therapy, where you gradually face the situations, objects or people which trigger anxiety and complementary health practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation. These strategies can be combined with medication.

Some people should see a doctor to rule out any medical conditions that can be the cause of their anxiety. Then they can begin treatment. Anxiety disorders can be very debilitating and can interfere with social, work and school life. They can also lead to depression, which is associated with a high risk of suicide. Patients who don’t seek treatment for their issues have a higher risk of them becoming a more severe mental health issue.