Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on a person's life by making people feel depressed and exhausted. Worry can prevent people from socializing, creating a false feeling that they are in danger and creating isolation.
Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all part of the treatment for anxiety. The medications include antidepressants like the SSRIs, citalopram, and escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram) as well as benzodiazepines like lorazepam and diazepam.
Medicines
People are generally anxious at times, but when that feeling persists for a long time or is a hindrance to daily activities, it is an indication of an anxiety disorder. Treatment of anxiety disorders usually includes psychotherapy and medication. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they are not able to solve anxiety disorders. They should be used along with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety. Antidepressants can correct a imbalance of chemicals in the brain that cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and should not be used long-term.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of cortisol stress hormone in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, which allows 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 great safety record, are widely available and effective for most people. Pros: Some patients could suffer from side effects such as dry mouth dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also alleviate anxiety-related symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart ailments, but doctors sometimes prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They help to lessen the effects of stress hormones, such as noradrenaline and adrenaline that increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause adverse effects like orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) as well as bradycardia (slower than normal heart rate) and sedation.
You can lessen anxiety by changing your diet and getting enough exercise. Also, relaxing activities like yoga and meditation. There are also mind-body treatments like tai chi and acupuncture that can ease anxiety. Consult your physician about what options are appropriate for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy founded on scientific research and proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts physical sensations, and thoughts have a common connection, and that negative patterns could trap you in a vicious circle. CBT helps you recognize your negative thoughts patterns and implement strategies that will help you control them. It also teaches how to manage your reactions to anxiety-producing scenarios and to develop coping strategies.
In the first session, the therapist typically conducts an assessment. This could involve completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or supplying written materials. They will be able to understand your specific illness, identify the signs that are distressing and determine if your current treatment options are effective. They will also use the assessment to determine if they can develop an emotional connection with you.
CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. During these sessions, will see your therapist at least every week or two weeks. Your therapist will teach you various self-help techniques, such as how to redirect negative thoughts and to practice positive outcome visualization. They will also teach you strategies for coping like how to quiet your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist could also offer you a variety of tools, like therapy worksheets, to aid in tracking your symptoms and triggers. They can help you manage anxiety in small steps that are manageable and to make it less as daunting. If you are afraid of social situations, your therapist may invite you to play with them before moving on to talking to your family or friends.
Another benefit of CBT is behavioural tests. It can help you challenge your irrational catastrophe predictions by providing evidence to counter them. If you are afraid that something bad will occur to you if you leave your house You can perform an assessment of your behavioural habits by making an assumption. For instance, "If I go for dinner, I'll contract food poisoning." Then, you'll be able to record whether or not the prediction was correct.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be a viable alternative for anxiety that is not a medication. Hypnosis helps people relax, alter their perception of their symptoms and modify their behavior. It can also be used to overcome phobias. It helps to ease stress and anxiety however, it can also assist with pain. The effects of hypnosis can be long lasting and the benefits can be observed from just one session.
During a session of hypnosis (or while listening to a recorded recording), the therapist guides you into a state that feels like a daydream. In this state of trance you will be able to hear and respond to suggestions from the therapist. They may ask you to imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing and then instruct you to pay close attention to sensory details that slowly become real. This is called a 'deepening state of trance.' This is the point where you start to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a difference immediately. After a hypnotherapy it is possible to feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or open their eyes. This is quite normal, and at times it can feel magical. 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 therapy time to be effective.
IamPsychiatry should always consult your doctor prior to starting the hypnotherapy method. They will be able to answer any concerns you have regarding hypnotherapy, and also discuss your options. You'll need to book a private session in order to utilize the technique of hypnosis. The sessions can be costly however they are usually more cost effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This is a condition that is caused by trauma like a car crash, natural disaster or war. It can trigger anxiety, depression and other issues. The signs of PTSD are arousing memory of night terrors, increased anxiety. Hypnotherapy is a great way to control PTSD and is typically combined with other talking treatments to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Exercise is a great treatment for anxiety. One vigorous exercise session can relieve anxiety-related symptoms for hours, and a regular schedule of physical activity may drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.
While it is widely acknowledged that regular exercise has positive health effects, few studies have focused on its effects on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that intense exercises are particularly effective for those suffering from anxiety.
Researchers in the study, under the direction of University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people suffering from anxiety to 12 weeks of group exercise, which included high-intensity or low-intensity exercises. 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 significantly greater improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low-intensity group.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people who do not suffer from the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health problems. Research suggests that those who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders or depression than those who are sedentary.
It's not surprising that exercise can improve mental health. It triggers the release of hormones that make you feel good like serotonin as well as dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. But the benefits of exercise is more than that. A variety of studies have shown that it is as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis done by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies that compared exercise groups against those who did not exercise. All of the studies found a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their analyses to trials that involved participants with a formally diagnosed anxiety disorder. This means that further research is required to determine whether exercise is a viable option for those with elevated anxiety levels clinically.