Treatments For Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxious or worried from time to time. People with anxiety disorders suffer persistent and severe symptoms that can affect their daily lives.
Treatments for anxiety disorders are available in many forms. Psychotherapy and medication are two of the most common treatments. You may need to try several different treatments before you discover the one that works.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a kind of treatment that involves a meeting with a trained psychologist or licensed mental health professional for one-on-one, family, couple, or group sessions. It focuses on helping people to understand the causes of their anxiety, what triggers it and how they can change their behaviors. Psychotherapy can be found in a variety of forms such as cognitive therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy, or dialectical behavior therapy. But most types of therapy have the same aim: to reduce suffering.
Anxiety disorders are debilitating, and can cause people to lose the quality of their lives. They can be marked by symptoms such as an euphoric heartbeat, a breathlessness, general anxiety or jitteriness, as well as an underlying fear that danger is near. Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may also exhibit avoidant behavior that limits their daily activities and blocks them from interacting.
The majority of anxiety disorder s are treatable, and the most common treatments are psychotherapy and medication. Depending on the severity and diagnosis of the disorder, there are a variety of psychotherapy techniques. For instance, patients with panic disorder can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment blends the cognitive and behavioral components of treatment. Through cognitive therapy, NYU Langone therapists help patients identify the negative thoughts that trigger their panic attacks and help them learn methods to help them reframe their thoughts. Through behavior therapy, therapists help patients to participate in situations or activities that can trigger anxiety, like public speaking or being in a closed space. This helps them realize that the consequences they fear are unlikely to occur in a process referred to as the process of extinction.
Other psychotherapy methods like psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy, are also available. These kinds of therapy focus on solving interpersonal issues that may cause anxiety, such as unresolved grief or conflict with family or friends. They can also assist patients cope with changes in their relationships and work which can create anxiety for certain people.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT is a more recent treatment for anxiety. It helps patients accept the things that are beyond their control, while focusing on change. The combination of these abilities can help reduce anxiety and improve the quality of life.
Medicines
While medication isn't an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, it can help people manage their symptoms and improve their lives. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is an integral part of treatment. Several research-based therapies have been successful and effective, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
SSRIs are the medications of choice for treating most anxiety disorders. They change the way the brain responds to stress and other triggers. They can cause side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Some people need to take multiple antidepressants to achieve the desired results. The benzodiazepines are sedatives which can instantly reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat, sweating, and tremors. They are typically used as short-term treatments in the event of severe anxiety attacks however, they can also be addictive and they don't perform well when used for more than four weeks at the same time.
Alprazolam and Clonazepam are both sedatives. They can relieve anxiety quickly, but they are not recommended for long-term use because they can accumulate within the body. In rare cases your doctor may prescribe a class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These older drugs are used to treat panic and social phobia disorder by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters in the brain. They may interact with certain medications, such as SSRIs therefore they are typically prescribed to patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Talk therapy can also teach you coping strategies to deal with your anxiety-related symptoms. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy as well as creative therapy or art. Exposure therapy involves gradually moving towards anxiety-provoking situations that you would typically avoid to learn how to cope with them without having an attack. This can include imaginal exposure to live, in-vivo and virtual reality exposure.
You can control your symptoms if you eat well and sleep enough, exercise, and stay away from alcohol and recreational drugs. Make sure you get enough minerals and vitamins. Particularly, folic acid and B vitamins. There have been mixed results from studies of herbal remedies and diet supplements as possible treatments for anxiety. Herbal remedies aren't controlled in the same way as prescription drugs, so they could be ineffective or harmful.
Self-help groups or support groups
Many people suffering from anxiety disorders benefit from support groups to manage their symptoms. These groups are usually free to join and offer an environment that is safe for people to discuss their feelings and experiences with others. They also offer a space for people to develop new strategies for coping. These strategies can assist them in feeling more in charge of their lives. In addition to offering social support, anxiety support groups can also help members build self-esteem and improve their level of living.
There are a variety of types, including those led either by experienced instructors or as peer-driven groups. You should decide which one best suits your lifestyle and needs. Some groups are arranged according to a schedule and others are online and can be accessed at any time. Some groups meet in person, while others can be reached through video or audio calls. Many also have online discussion forums and chat rooms where you can talk to other members in real-time.
One of these groups is SMART Recovery, which offers assistance for people suffering from anxiety and other mental health issues. Meetings are offered in person and online. You can attend any time to suit your schedule. The program utilizes scientifically proven methods to teach coping strategies and help participants overcome their fears.
Another option is the The Tribe wellness community, that provides peer-to-peer support to those suffering from anxiety. The site lets members share stories and experiences through chat rooms and forums online. It also has a blog. In addition, the site provides a mobile app that enables users to access their support resources from anywhere.
Anxiety support groups as well as providing emotional support, can assist people manage their symptoms by teaching coping skills. These coping techniques can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment options. Many anxiety support groups offer educational materials such as podcasts, videos, and webinars. Some support groups also offer resources for specific populations like veterans and people of color.
Stress management
Stress management is an important aspect of treating anxiety disorders. It involves identifying and learning to cope with the causes of stress, and then taking steps to reduce the stress-related causes. This is typically accomplished through psychotherapy and occasionally medication as well.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the main psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders. In CBT, you learn to recognize the patterns of thinking that trigger your anxious feelings and work to change those thoughts. You can also learn how to lessen anxiety, such as relaxation techniques.
CBT is usually short-term. You may experience some ups and downs in your progress, but if you keep attending therapy sessions, you're more likely to see positive results. Keep in mind that overcoming anxiety takes time and dedication. You may have to confront your fears which can be uncomfortable to do at times to find a way out.
The use of medications is also an important element of treatment. Antidepressants can be effective particularly the more recent ones with less side effects than older TCAs or monoamine inhibitors of oxidase. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine, and antianxiety drugs like nefazodone and mirtazapine are among the most effective. In some cases, a benzodiazepine is used to reduce anxiety.
There are a variety of alternative treatments that can be helpful in easing anxiety symptoms, such as meditation and deep breathing. Exercise can also help reduce anxiety. It's also important to eat healthy and maintain a healthy eating routine. It is important to stay away from drinking alcohol and other illicit substances, because they can cause anxiety.
Other treatments for anxiety disorders include dialectical behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy helps you develop assertiveness and focuses on relationships with others. Communicating your feelings and needs directly and honestly can reduce stress and improve your self-esteem.
Joining a support group, practicing relaxation techniques and using hypnotherapy are all ways to reduce stress. Contact your insurance company to determine if these treatments are covered. Biofeedback can also be helpful for some individuals. During this process, you watch your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and gradually learn to control them at will.