Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can affect the quality of life of a person because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed and depressed. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from socializing with others, which can reinforce their misguided sense of danger and, consequently, creating a sense of an atmosphere of isolation.
Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all a part of the treatment of anxiety. The medications can include antidepressants like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medicines
Most people feel anxious from time to time however, when the feeling persists for too long or becomes a problem in daily life, it is the sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medications are typically employed to treat anxiety disorders. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they cannot solve anxiety disorders. Therefore, they should be utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy and other lifestyle modifications.
Antidepressants as well as other benzodiazepines can be often prescribed to treat anxiety. Antidepressants correct a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are sedatives which work quickly to stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and therefore not recommended for use in 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 the brain's receptors that absorb serotonin and allow more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate. This eases 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 are effective for the majority of people. anxiety treatment therapy : Some patients suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth.
Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also alleviate anxiety symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions however, doctors can prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They are used to lessen the effect of stress hormones in your body, like adrenaline and noradrenaline, that increase your blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause adverse effects like orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up), bradycardia (slower than the normal heart rate) and sedation.
You can ease anxiety by changing your diet and getting enough exercise. Relaxing activities such as meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. Additionally there are many mind-body therapies that can be beneficial for anxiety, including acupuncture and tai chi. Talk to your doctor about what options might be appropriate for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy based on scientific evidence and proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations have a common connection, and that negative patterns could keep you in a vicious cycle. CBT helps you recognize negative thought patterns and implement techniques to help you control them. It also helps you regulate your responses to anxiety-producing situations and develop coping strategies.
In the initial session, the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, interviewing you, or even providing written material. This will allow them to comprehend the specific condition you suffer from, identify the symptoms that are troubling you, and determine whether your current treatment options are effective. They will also use the test to determine if they are able to build an emotional connection with you.
CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. During these sessions, will meet with your therapist at least every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help techniques like how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also help you develop coping skills, such as how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist can also provide you with a variety of tools, like therapy worksheets, to assist you in identifying your triggers and symptoms. They can help you manage your anxiety in small steps that are manageable to make it less as daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist may allow you to role-play them, and then move on to talking to family or friends.
Another benefit of CBT are behavioural experiments. It can help you challenge your irrational predictions of catastrophe by providing evidence against them. For example, if think that something awful will occur if you leave your home, you could conduct an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction prior to going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I'll get food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was accurate or not.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, change their perception of their symptoms, and alter their behavior. It can also be utilized to overcome fears. It is used to reduce anxiety and stress and can help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be observed after only one session.
In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist will guide you into a state that feels like a daydream. In this relaxed state you will be able to hear and respond to suggestions given by the therapist. They might ask you to imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing, and then tell you to pay close attention to sensory details that gradually become real. This is known as a 'deepening state of trance.' This is when the therapy starts to work and you'll begin to notice a change in your symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. After hypnotherapy you can feel the shift immediately after they leave the room or open up their eyes. This is normal and can be awe-inspiring. However, for some it could take a few sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal and it is crucial to allow the therapy time to get it working.
If you are considering hypnotherapy, you should always consult with your doctor first. They can answer any questions you have regarding hypnotherapy, and help you decide on your options. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS therefore you'll need to schedule an appointment in private with a licensed therapist. These sessions can be expensive however they are usually more cost effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This is a condition that is caused by trauma like a car accident or natural disaster or war and it causes depression, anxiety and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for PTSD and is often combined with other talking therapies to get the best results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can relieve anxiety symptoms for hours and a consistent schedule of physical activity may dramatically reduce them over time.
Although it is well documented that regular exercise provides positive health effects, few studies have focused on its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers involved in the study under the direction of University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults who suffer from anxiety to 12 weeks of group exercise, which included low- or high-intensity workouts. They also provided them with instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were evident. Participants in the high intensity groups showed significant improvements in their anxiety levels compared to those in low intensity.
These findings are relevant to the use of exercise schemes in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than those who do not suffer from the condition, and the absence of physical activity could cause psychiatric issues for them. Research suggests that those who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those who are sitting down.
Exercise has a positive impact on mental well-being. It boosts the release of good-feeling hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine and others. Furthermore, it can help increase self-esteem and improve sleep quality. But the benefits of exercise are more extensive studies have proven that it's more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody et al identified eight studies which compared groups who exercised with those who did not exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers restricted their analyses to trials that involved participants with an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. It is clear that further research is needed to determine whether exercise is an effective solution for those with clinically elevated anxiety levels.