Anxiety Anxiety Disorders: A Simple Definition
Treating Anxiety Disorders
Speak to a mental health professional in case your anxiety persists and interferes with your daily activities. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and might be able to prescribe medication, whereas psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health treatment.
Medications, counseling and other treatments can ease your symptoms and help manage your anxiety. You can also learn strategies for managing stress and join support groups (both in person and online).
Medication
Anxiety disorders can be treated through psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication or a combination of both. Talk therapy helps people cope better with their anxieties and decrease symptoms. Exercise, sleep and stress management techniques can also help improve mood. The medications can reduce the intensity of anxiety and make the other treatments more effective.
People with anxiety disorders are at greater risk of developing other mental health conditions including depression. Depression symptoms often overlap with symptoms of anxiety, so it is important to treat both at the same time. A psychiatrist who is trained to treat mental illnesses can diagnose anxiety, and prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms.
A person's risk of having anxiety disorders is increased by certain life experiences and traits that are inherited. Traumas, like car accidents or war can cause anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by chronic illnesses or caring for others. An anxiety disorder can be caused by substance abuse, particularly alcohol and illegal drugs.
The most effective treatment option for the majority of anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Numerous clinical studies have proven that modern antidepressants, called SNRIs or SSRIs like escitalopram and duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and escitalopram as well as (Lexapro) are effective. Benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium) are frequently used to reduce anxiety. They aren't typically prescribed for longer than 4 weeks due to the possibility of becoming addictive and stop working as well.
Other forms of medication that are 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 the drug levothyroxine sodium (Levothyrix) can help control shaking and trembling. Buspirone (BuSpar) in low doses can help those suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating and rapid pulse.
Certain sedatives, like clonazepam (Klonopin) are only available on prescription. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide (Anxair) are prescribed in certain people who suffer from extreme anxiety.
Psychotherapy
While it's normal for children to feel some anxiety or anxiety at times, their experiences shouldn't hinder their daily life or cause them to avoid the school, their friends and family. Anxiety disorders can lead to extreme depression or other mental health problems that interfere with one's quality of life. Patients suffering from these disorders typically require psychotherapy (counseling) and medications to treat their symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing the thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you relaxation techniques and help you find ways to cope with negative feelings. They'll also use exposure therapy to gradually expose you to situations that can trigger your anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization. This involves identifying triggers and then grading them according to their intensity.
Your therapist will also show you how to challenge your unfounded predictions and harmful thoughts. They will help you test your beliefs with tests, weighing the pros and cons and determining the realistic probability that something bad could occur.
Psychiatrists may prescribe shorter-term or long-term treatments to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as buspirone and SSRIs, can help with different forms of anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam are effective in encouraging relaxation of the muscles and calming the brain. SNRIs, like venlafaxine, are able to help reduce anxiety by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels within the brain.
Psychiatrists are able to monitor your symptoms and answer any questions. They will also make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your disorder it could take some time for you to get better. You may need to try a number of therapists or treatments before you find the one that works for you. To see results, it's important to adhere to your treatment plan. The longer you put off seeking assistance the more severe your symptoms might become.
Therapy for interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal therapy is a brief-term type of psychotherapy that is focused on solving interpersonal issues. It usually takes between 12 and 16 sessions to be completed. It is empirically supported and may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, it has been shown to be effective in treating depression that is comorbid and PTSD. It can also be used to treat problems with occupational and social interactions for those suffering from PTSD.
The initial sessions (1-3) focus on gathering information and identifying problem areas. For example, the therapist might help you create an inventory of your most important relationships. The therapist will help you identify your issues according to the severity of the problem and its potential for improvement. In the middle of sessions (4-14) you and your counselor will work together to discover solutions to these issues. I Am Psychiatry will then apply the new strategies in your everyday life between sessions.
One of the most important characteristics of IPT is that it frames the patient's problems as a medical issue, rather than as a character flaw or personal failure. This can help patients overcome self-doubt and guilt. It also helps patients realize that their symptoms are a result of an amalgamation of their current circumstances and their medical condition.
When choosing a therapist ensure you choose a therapist who is certified by your state psychological association and who is specialized in your condition. Find out about the therapist's education and experience. You can also ask for referrals from other doctors. Be sure you and your therapist are on the same page regarding the goals of the sessions prior to starting therapy. For example, you might be looking to improve your interpersonal skills or conquering your fears of intimacy.
Self-help
Anxiety is a normal reaction to some stressful events, but it turns into a disorder when it is so intense that it is a problem with your life. A lot of people suffering from anxiety disorders need psychotherapy and medication to heal. But some self-help methods can reduce symptoms and make them easier to deal with. Breathing exercises and relaxation for instance can reduce your heart rate and help you relax. Try doing these exercises several times per day, and pay attention to how your body feels as you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones can help reduce anxiety.
Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can cut down on your consumption of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol which can worsen or cause anxiety. Regular exercise relieves tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is thought to improve mood. Try to do at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week.
Self-help tools for anxiety include support groups, self help books and online resources. Some of these resources offer activities that you can do at home, like identifying your anxiety triggers and learning to challenge your anxious thinking. Some also require face-to-face meetings with therapists as well as others who are suffering from the same problems.
Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists in alter the patterns of thought that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, in which you gradually confront the situations or people or objects that cause anxiety, and other complementary health techniques such as breathing exercises, relaxation meditation, breathing exercises. These strategies can be used together with medications.
Some people require a consultation with a physician in order to rule out medical conditions that could be the cause anxiety. After that, they can start treatment. Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and can be a problem with work, school and social life. They can also cause depression, which is associated with a higher chance of suicide. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at a greater risk of developing into a more serious mental health issue.