Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on an individual's life by making them feel tired and depressed. Worry can prevent people from engaging, causing a false sense that they are in danger and creating a sense of loneliness.
Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medications, and exercise. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam.
Medicines
Anxiety disorders arise as a result of anxiety that lasts for too long or is a hindrance to everyday life. Treatment of anxiety disorders usually involves medication and psychotherapy. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they do not cure anxiety disorders. They should be used along with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
Medications that are commonly prescribed for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants help to correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive and therefore are not recommended for use over the long-term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, permitting more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate, and alleviating the anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. Pros: SSRIs are readily available, effective for most people, and have a favorable safety profile. Cons Some patients experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth.
Propranolol and various other psychiatric medications can also alleviate anxiety symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. However, doctors might prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. They are used to lessen the effects of stress hormones in your body, such as noradrenaline and adrenaline, which raise your heart rate and blood pressure. They can also have negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
You can lessen anxiety by adjusting your diet and getting enough exercise. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. In addition there are many mind-body therapies that can help with anxiety, including the acupuncture method and tai chi. Speak to your doctor about the treatments that could be most suitable for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a research-based psychotherapy that is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are interconnected, and that negative patterns can trap you in an endless cycle. CBT helps you recognize the negative patterns of your mind and to implement strategies to help you manage them. It also teaches how to control your reactions to anxiety-producing scenarios and to develop coping strategies.
In the first session the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This could include filling out questionnaires, conducting an interview, or providing written material. This will help them understand your specific disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also determine if your current treatments are working. They will also utilize the assessment to determine whether they can build an therapeutic relationship with you.
CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. Your therapist will visit you every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help methods like how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also assist you to develop coping strategies, such as how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist may also give you various tools, such as therapy worksheets, to assist you in identifying your triggers and symptoms. They can help you manage anxiety in small, manageable steps so that it doesn't seem as daunting. For instance, if are worried about social interactions, they could begin by playing a role with your therapist. Then, begin talking to family members or friends.
CBT also includes behavioural experiments. It can help you question your irrational catastrophic predictions by generating evidence against them. For example, if fear that something terrible will happen if you leave the home, you could conduct a behavioural experiment by making a prediction prior to going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was true or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as a supplement to medication to treat anxiety. Hypnosis can help people relax, change their perception of their symptoms and modify their behavior. It can be used to help overcome fears. It is often employed to decrease anxiety and stress, however it can also help 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 guide you into a trance state that is similar to being in a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you are able to hear the suggestions of your therapist and then respond. They may ask you to imagine a relaxing and safe place, and then tell you to pay attention to the sensory details that gradually become real. This is referred to as "deepening trance". This is when you will begin to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. They may leave the room or open their eyes after a hypnotherapy session and they can already feel shifts. This is very normal, and at times it may feel like magic. For some people however, it might take a few sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal and it's important to allow time for the therapy to get it working.
If you are considering the possibility of hypnotherapy you should talk to your doctor first. They will be able to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have about the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS therefore you'll have to schedule a private session with a trained therapist. These sessions can be costly, but they are more cost-effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In some cases it is possible to use hypnosis to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic experience like a car crash, natural disaster, or war. It can trigger anxiety, depression and other issues. Symptoms of PTSD are intrusive memories, night terrors, and increased anxiety. Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for PTSD, and it's usually coupled with other types of talking therapy to produce the most effective results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. Exercise can help reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular routine of exercise can help to reduce them.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise can provide health benefits, few studies have looked specifically at its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is especially effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers in the study, were led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 individuals suffering from anxiety to 12 weeks of group exercise that included high-intensity or low-intensity exercises. They also gave them tips on how to incorporate exercises into their life. The results were evident. Participants in the high intensity groups showed significant improvements in anxiety levels compared to those in low-intensity.
These findings have implications on the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not suffering from the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health issues. Physical activity is associated with a 25 percent lower risk of depression or anxiety disorders than those who are not sedentary.
It's not surprising that exercising can improve mental health. It stimulates the release of positive hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. Iampsychiatry can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. But the benefits of exercise are more extensive research has proven that it is as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies that compared exercise groups with those who didn't exercise. All of the studies found a reduction in anxiety. The researchers limited their analysis to studies that involved participants who had a medical diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is evident that further research is needed to determine if exercise is an effective option for people who have elevated levels of anxiety.