Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on the life of a person by making them feel tired and depressed. The fear of being anxious can make people unable to interacting, reinforcing a misguided belief that they are in danger and creating a sense of isolation.
Treatment for anxiety involves psychotherapy, medication, as well as exercise. Antidepressants are a few options, like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medications
Many people experience anxiety from time to time, but when that feeling lasts for too long or is a hindrance to daily activities, it's the sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly employed to treat anxiety disorders. While medications can ease the symptoms, they don't solve anxiety disorders. They should be used in conjunction alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to alleviate anxiety. Antidepressants can correct a imbalance of chemical substances in the brain that cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that are fast-acting to stop the body's response to anxiety. They can also be addictive and should not be used long-term.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that absorb serotonin in the brain, which allows more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate and easing the 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, and are widely available and effective for the majority of people. Cons Some patients have side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth.
Other psychiatric medications like propranolol can also help with anxiety symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions However, doctors may prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline that increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause negative side effects, such as orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) and bradycardia (slower than the normal heart rate) and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise can reduce anxiety. Relaxing activities such as meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. There are also treatments for the mind like acupuncture and tai chi that can ease anxiety. Speak to your doctor about the treatments that could be most suitable for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy founded on scientific research that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts physical sensations, and thoughts are connected and that negative patterns could keep you in a vicious circle. CBT teaches how to identify negative thought patterns and implement strategies to manage them. It also teaches you to control your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and to develop strategies for coping.
In the initial sessions the therapist will usually perform an assessment. This may involve completing questionnaires, interviewing you, or supplying written materials. This will allow them to determine the cause of your disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also help determine if your current treatments are effective. They will also use the test to determine if they can build a therapeutic relationship with you.
CBT is usually short-term, and can last for 20 or fewer sessions. You will meet your therapist every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help techniques like how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also assist you to develop coping skills like how to relax your body and relax your mind.
Your therapist might also provide you with tools, like therapy worksheets that help you track the symptoms and triggers. They can help you manage anxiety in smaller steps that are manageable to make it less like a daunting task. If you are afraid of social situations, your therapist may have you role-play with them before moving on to talking to your family or friends.
Another aspect of CBT are behavioural experiments. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by providing evidence to counter them. For example, if you think that something awful will occur if you leave your house, you can conduct an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction before going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I will get food poisoning." You can then determine if your prediction was true or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be utilized as a supplement to medication for anxiety. It utilizes hypnosis to assist people alter their perceptions of their symptoms, modify their behaviors, and relax. It can be used to help overcome phobias. It is commonly employed to decrease anxiety and stress, however it can also be helpful in alleviating pain. The effects of hypnosis last for a long time and can be felt after just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or when listening to recordings), the therapist will lead you into a trance state that feels a bit like being in a daydream. In this relaxed state you will be able to listen and respond to suggestions given by the therapist. They may ask you to imagine a safe and peaceful place, and then they will advise you to pay attention to sensory details as they slowly become more real. This is known as a 'deepening trance'. This is the point where the therapy begins to work and you'll begin to notice a difference in your symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. After hypnotherapy it is possible to feel the shift immediately after they leave the room or open their eyes. This is quite normal, and at times it may feel like magic. For some people, however, it may take a few sessions before they see any positive changes. This is normal and it is important to allow time for the therapy to be effective.
If you are considering the use of hypnotherapy, it is best to consult your physician first. They will be able to discuss your options and answer any questions you might have regarding the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety. Hypnosis is not available on the NHS so you will need to book an appointment in private with a qualified therapist. The sessions can be costly but are generally more cost efficient than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is often used to treat PTSD. This is a condition that occurs following a traumatic experience like a car crash, natural disaster or war. It can trigger depression, anxiety and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a successful treatment for PTSD and is often coupled with other types of talking therapies to get the best results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. A vigorous workout session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours, and a regular schedule of physical exercise could drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.
Although it is well documented that regular exercise has benefits for health, only a few studies have examined the effects of exercise on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers in the study, led University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults who suffer from anxiety to 12 weeks of group exercise that comprised moderate or high-intensity training. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were evident. Those in the high-intensity groups showed significant improvements in their anxiety levels when compared to those in low-intensity.
These findings have implications on the use of exercise programmes in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who do not suffer from the condition, and the absence of physical activity may contribute to their psychiatric disorders. natural remedies to treat anxiety shows that those who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder than those who are sedentary.
Exercise has a positive impact on mental well-being. It stimulates the release good-feeling hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine and others. It can also improve sleep and boost self-esteem. However, the benefits of exercise are more extensive research has proven that it's more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis carried out by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies comparing groups who exercised with those who did not exercise. All of the studies reported a reduction in anxiety. The researchers limited their analysis to studies involving people who had a medical diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is clear that more research is required to determine if exercise can be an effective option for people who have elevated levels of anxiety.