Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy the quality of life of a person because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed and depressed. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from engaging with others, which can reinforce their false sense of security and, consequently, creating a sense of isolation.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medication, as well as exercise. The medications can include antidepressants such as SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam.
Medicines
Anxiety disorders are a result of anxiety that is too long or interferes in daily life. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they do not solve anxiety disorders. Therefore, they must be utilized in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
Medications that are commonly prescribed for anxiety include antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines. Antidepressants help to correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive, and therefore are not recommended for use over the long term.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, a 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 good safety record, are widely available and effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients may have side effects, such as dry mouth dizziness, dry mouth and drowsiness.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also aid in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions However, doctors may prescribe them "off-label" for anxiety. They help to lessen the effects of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They also can cause side effects like bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise can reduce anxiety. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can aid in relieving anxiety. Additionally, there are mind-body treatments that can be beneficial for anxiety such as the acupuncture method and tai chi. Consult your physician about what options are appropriate for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a scientifically-based psychotherapy that works in treating anxiety disorders. It works on the principle that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into an endless cycle. CBT teaches you to identify your negative thought patterns and to implement strategies to help you manage them. It also teaches you to regulate your responses to anxiety-producing situations and develop coping strategies.
In the initial session, the therapist typically conducts an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or providing written material. This will help them to determine the cause of your disorder and pinpoint distressing symptoms. It will also determine if your current treatments are working. They will also use the assessment to determine if they can build an emotional connection with you.
CBT usually lasts for 20 sessions or less. In these sessions, you will meet with your therapist at least every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will teach various self-help techniques like how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also help you develop coping strategies, such as how to relax your body and relax your mind.
Your therapist might also provide you with tools, like therapy worksheets, which will help you track the triggers and symptoms. They can help you conquer your anxiety in small, manageable steps so that it doesn't appear as daunting. For instance, if are concerned about social interactions, they might begin with role-playing with your therapist, and then begin talking to family members or friends.
CBT also includes behavioural experiments. It helps you challenge your irrational, catastrophic predictions by generating evidence to counter them. For example, if think that something awful will occur if you leave the home, you could conduct an experiment in your behavioural style by making a prediction prior to going out, like "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." I Am Psychiatry can then record whether your prediction was true or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis helps people relax, change their perception of their symptoms and alter their behavior. It can also be used to overcome phobias. It is frequently used to reduce anxiety and stress, but it can also assist in alleviating pain. The effects of hypnosis may be lasting and the benefits can be observed in just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist will guide you into a state of mind that appears to be like a daydream. In this relaxed state you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and then respond. They may ask you to imagine a secure and comfortable place and after that they will tell you to pay attention to sensory details that gradually become more real. This is called a 'deepening state of trance.' This is the point where you begin to notice a change in the symptoms.
Many people notice a difference immediately. They may leave the room or open their eyes following an hypnotherapy session and notice an improvement. This is normal and can sometimes feel magical. However, for some it may take several sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to give therapy time to get things going.
You should always consult your physician prior to undergoing hypnotherapy. They can answer any questions you have about hypnotherapy and also discuss your options. You'll need to book a private session in order to utilize hypnosis. The sessions can be costly but are generally more cost effective than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event such as a car accident, natural disaster or war and it causes anxiety, depression and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great method to manage PTSD and is often combined with other talking treatments to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. Exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular schedule of exercise can aid in reducing them.
While it is widely acknowledged that regular exercise can provide health benefits, very few studies have focused on the effects it has on anxiety. However, a recent study suggests that high intensity exercise routines are particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety.
Researchers involved in the study under the direction of University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people with anxiety issues to an intensive 12-week program of group exercise that included low- or high-intensity workouts. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were evident for those who were in the high intensity group showed significant improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the lower intensity group.
These findings have implications on the use of exercise programmes in general practice. Patients with anxiety are more sedentary compared to those without the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health problems. Physical activity is linked to an increase of 25 percent in the chance of developing depression or anxiety disorders than those who are not sedentary.
It's not surprising that exercise can improve mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. It can also improve sleep and boost self-esteem. But the benefit of physical activity is even higher than that. A number of studies have found that it can be just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis done by Jayakody et al. identified eight trials that compared groups that exercised with those who didn't exercise. All of the studies showed a decrease in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their analyses to trials that included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. It is evident that further research is needed to determine if exercise is an effective option for people with clinically elevated anxiety levels.