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Treating Anxiety Disorders

Speak to a mental health professional if your anxiety is persistent and is affecting your daily routine. Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy and may prescribe medication. Psychologists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues.





Counseling, medications 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 are treated by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) or medication or a combination of both. Talk therapy helps people find more effective ways to deal with their anxieties and decrease the symptoms. People can also improve their mood by regularly exercising, sleeping enough and practicing stress management techniques. The medications can reduce the severity of anxiety and make other treatments more effective.

Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are more susceptible to developing other mental health conditions, including depression. The symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently overlap, which is why it is important to treat both at the same time. A psychiatrist who is trained to treat mental illness can diagnose anxiety, and prescribe medication to ease symptoms.

Certain life experiences and traits inherited from parents increase a person's likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Traumas, like an accident or war, can trigger anxiety disorders in some people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by chronic illness or caring for others. Drug abuse, especially alcohol and illegal drugs can also contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder.

The most effective treatment option for most anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. Numerous clinical studies have proven that the most recent antidepressants, known as SSRIs or SNRIs such as duloxetine and escitalopram, (Cymbalta) and escitalopram as well as (Lexapro) are effective. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium), are also often used to help ease anxiety. They are not usually prescribed for longer than 4 weeks as they can become addictive and stop working well.

Other kinds of medications that are commonly used to treat anxiety are beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Toprol XL), which can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Anticonvulsants, such as levothyroxine (Levothyrix) can help to control the shaking. The use of low doses of antipsychotics such as buspirone (BuSpar) can be helpful for people who have physical symptoms of anxiety like a fast heartbeat or sweating.

Some sedatives, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), are only available through prescription. Certain people who suffer from extreme anxiety may use monoamine oxidase inhibitors like Anxair (moclobemide).

Psychotherapy

It is normal for children to at times to feel fear or anxiety, these feelings shouldn't affect their daily lives or cause them to withdraw or become isolated from their family, friends, or school. Anxiety disorders may lead to severe depression, or other mental health issues that could hinder a person's overall health. These disorders are usually treated through psychotherapy (counseling), and also medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most frequently used psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. It assists you in changing habits of thought and beliefs that cause your anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you on relaxation techniques and help you discover ways to manage negative feelings. They'll also employ exposure therapy to gradually expose you to situations that trigger anxiety. This is accomplished by making an inventory of your triggers and then putting them according to their intensity and gradually exposing you to them using a technique called systematic desensitization.

Your therapist will show you how to confront irrational thoughts and predictions. They'll teach you how to test your negative beliefs by conducting tests, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of avoiding or worrying about and determining the real probabilities that something bad might happen.

Psychiatrists can prescribe long-term or short-term medication for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants like SSRIs and buspirone may help in reducing anxiety by altering chemicals in the brain which regulate mood. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam can help in promoting relaxation of muscles and relaxing the brain. SNRIs, including venlafaxine, can help with anxiety by increasing serotonin levels and norepinephrine levels inside the brain.

Psychiatrists will monitor your symptoms, address any questions, and make changes to your treatment plan as needed. It could take some time to heal from your disorder dependent on the severity of your condition. You may need to try various therapists and a range of different treatments before you can find one that is effective for you. It is essential to stick to your treatment plan to get outcomes. The longer you put off seeking help, the more severe your symptoms may become.

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy is a kind of psychotherapy for short durations that focuses primarily on solving interpersonal problems. It usually lasts 12-16 sessions. It has been empirically proven to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It has also been demonstrated to be effective for treating depression that is comorbid with PTSD. It is also useful in addressing work-related and social issues in people suffering from PTSD.

The initial three sessions are devoted to gathering information and identifying the root of the issue. For example, the therapy therapist may help you develop an inventory of your key relationships. The therapist will assist you to identify your issues according to the severity of the issue and the possibility of improvement. In the middle sessions (4 between 14 and 4) you will collaborate with your therapist to develop solutions for each of these areas of concern. Then, disorders anxiety will apply the new strategies to your everyday life between sessions.

One of the most important characteristics of IPT is that it frames the patient's presenting problems as a medical illness instead of an individual flaw or failing. This helps patients to release their self-criticism and guilt. It also helps patients recognize that their symptoms are a result of both their current circumstances and medical conditions.

Choose a therapist who is licensed and specializes in the issue you are dealing with. Then, research the background of the therapist and their training. You can ask other doctors for referrals. Before beginning therapy, make sure that you and your therapist can agree on the goals of the sessions. You may, for instance, want to focus on improving relationship skills or overcoming intimacy fears.

Self-help

Anxiety is a normal response to some stressful situations, but it can become an illness when it becomes so intense that it causes problems with your daily routine. People with anxiety disorders usually require medication and psychotherapy to heal. But some self-help methods can help reduce symptoms and make them easier to live with. Relaxation and breathing exercises for instance can reduce your heart rate and calm you. Try these exercises at least once a week, paying attention to how your body feels when you breathe in and out. Recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones can help to reduce anxiety.

Changing your diet and getting regular exercise can help you feel better. You might be able to cut back on alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine which can cause or worsen anxiety. Regular exercise releases tension and stimulates the brain to produce serotonin. This chemical is believed to boost mood. Do 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week.

Self-help resources for anxiety include support groups, self help books and online resources. Some of these resources offer exercises that you can complete at home, like identifying your anxiety triggers and learning to overcome your anxious thoughts. Some of these resources provide face-to-face sessions to therapists or others who have the same problem.

Psychological interventions for anxiety disorders are essential. They include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists in change patterns of thought that can trigger anxiety, exposure therapy, where you gradually confront the events such as people, objects, or other individuals that cause anxiety, and complementary methods of health such as relaxation, breathing exercises meditation, as well as breathing exercises. These strategies can be employed together with medications.

Some people will need to consult a doctor in order to rule out medical conditions that could be the source of anxiety. After that, they can start treatment. Anxiety disorders can be crippling and can be a problem with school, work and social life. They can also trigger depression, which is linked with a higher risk of suicide. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms are at higher risk of developing them into a more serious mental health condition.