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Treating Anxiety Disorders

If anxiety is affecting your everyday activities and persists seek out an expert in mental health. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and might be competent to prescribe medication, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health treatment.

Medications, counseling and other treatments can ease your symptoms and help you manage your anxiety. You can also learn stress management techniques and join support groups (both in person and online).

Medication

Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination. Therapy for anxiety can help people cope better with their anxieties and decrease symptoms. Exercise, sleep and stress management techniques can also aid in improving mood. The use of medication can reduce the severity of the anxiety and aid in the effectiveness of other treatments.

People suffering from anxiety disorders are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues, including depression. Symptoms of depression often overlap with symptoms of anxiety, so it is important to treat both at the same time. A specialist in treating mental illness (a psychiatrist) can diagnose anxiety and prescribe medication to help relieve the symptoms.





A person's risk of having an anxiety disorder is increased by certain life experiences and traits that are inherited. Traumas, like a war or car accident can cause anxiety disorders in certain people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by chronic illnesses or care for others. An anxiety disorder can also be caused by addiction to drugs, particularly alcohol and illegal drugs.

Antidepressants are the first treatment option for many anxiety disorders. Modern antidepressants called SSRIs and SNRIs, like escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), have been proven efficient in a variety of clinical studies. Benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium) are often used to help ease anxiety. However, they shouldn't be prescribed for more than 4 weeks at a time as they can be addictive and don't work as effectively after that.

Beta-blockers like propranolol and atenolol can be used in order to treat anxiety. They reduce blood pressure and heart rates. Anticonvulsants such as levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can help control the tremors. Buspirone (BuSpar) in low doses can help those suffering from physical symptoms of anxiety such as a rapid pulse or sweating.

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

Psychotherapy

While it is normal for children to at times to feel anxiety or fear but these feelings shouldn't impact their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or become isolated from their family, friends, or school. Anxiety disorders can lead to severe depression, or other mental health issues that can interfere with a person's quality-of-life. These disorders are usually managed with psychotherapy (counseling) as well as medications.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular psychotherapy used for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing the patterns of thinking and beliefs that cause your anxiety. Your therapist will guide you through relaxation techniques and help you discover ways to manage negative emotions. They'll also use exposure therapy to gradually expose you to situations that cause anxiety. This is done through systematic desensitization. It involves identifying triggers and grading them according to intensity.

Your therapist will teach you how to challenge your irrational beliefs and preconceptions. They'll help you learn how to test your beliefs about yourself by conducting experiments, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of avoiding or worrying, and determining the realistic likelihood that something bad could occur.

Psychiatrists may prescribe long-term or short-term medication for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, like buspirone and SSRIs are able to help with various forms of anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam are useful in promoting relaxation of muscles and in calming the brain. Venlafaxine, a SNRI, can aid in reducing anxiety since they boost serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Psychiatrists will be able to monitor your symptoms, address any questions and make changes to your treatment plan when necessary. It may take some time to recover from your disorder dependent on the severity of your condition. It is possible to test several treatments or therapists before you find the one that works for you. It is essential to stick to your treatment plan until you get results. The longer you delay seeking assistance, the more severe your symptoms might become.

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy is a short-term type of psychotherapy that focuses on solving interpersonal issues. It is usually completed in 12-16 sessions. It has been empirically proven to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally it has been proven to be effective in treating depression that is comorbid with PTSD. It can also be used to treat social and occupational difficulties for people with PTSD.

The first sessions (1-3) concentrate on gathering information and identifying trouble areas. For instance, the counselor might assist you in creating an inventory of your primary relationships. The therapist will assist you to identify your issues based on the severity of the problem and the potential for improvement. In the middle sessions (4 - 14) you will collaborate with your therapist to develop solutions for each of these problematic areas. You will then practice the new strategies in your everyday life in between sessions.

One of the most significant characteristics of IPT is that it frames the patient's presenting problems as a medical illness rather than a character flaw or personal failing. This can help ease patients from feelings of guilt and self-criticism. It also helps them recognize that their symptoms are the result of the combination of their current situation and their medical condition.

When selecting a therapist, make sure you select a therapist who is licensed by your state psychological association and specializes in your condition. Find out about the therapist's education and experience. You can ask other doctors for referrals. Before beginning therapy, ensure that you and your therapist can agree on the goals of the sessions. For instance, you might, want to focus on improving your relationship skills or conquering fears of intimacy.

Self-help

Anxiety is a normal reaction to some stressful situations, but it can become a disorder when it is so intense that it is a problem with your life. A lot of people suffering from anxiety disorders require psychotherapy or medication to recover. However, a few self-help strategies can ease symptoms and make them easier to deal with. For example, breathing exercises and relaxation can help lower the heart rate and calm your mind. Try doing them several times a day, and pay attention to the way your body feels when you breathe in and out. Identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones can reduce anxiety.

Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You can lower your intake of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, which can aggravate or trigger anxiety. Regular exercise releases tension and enables your brain to produce serotonin which is which is a mood-enhancing chemical. Try to do at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week.

There are many ways to locate self-help for anxiety, such as self-help groups, self-help books and online resources. Some of these resources offer activities that you can do at home, such as identifying your anxiety triggers and learning how to confront your anxiety. Some of these resources offer face-to-face sessions with counselors or other people who have the same problem.

Psychological interventions for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists in alter the patterns of thought that lead to anxiety exposure therapy, which is where you gradually confront the events, people, or objects that trigger your anxiety, and other complementary health techniques such as relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, and breathing exercises. These strategies can be used together with medications.

Some people will need to consult a doctor to rule out medical conditions that could be the source of anxiety. Then, they can start treatment. Anxiety disorders can be chronic and can hinder social, work and school life. They can also cause depression, which has a high suicide risk. If you don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at higher risk of developing them into a more serious mental health condition.