Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy the life of a person by making them feel depressed and tired. Worry can prevent people from engaging, causing a false feeling that they are in danger, and creating a sense of isolation.
Exercise psychotherapy, medication, and exercise are all part of the treatment for anxiety. Medications can include antidepressants, like SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and diazepam.
Medicines
Many people experience anxiety from time to time However, if that feeling goes on for a long period of time or becomes a problem in daily life, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes psychotherapy and medication. While medications can ease the symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. They must be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants as well as other benzodiazepines can be frequently prescribed to combat anxiety. Antidepressants address a chemical imbalance within the brain, which can cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and therefore are not recommended for use in the long term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help reduce the levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors in the brain that absorb serotonin, allowing for more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate. This reduces 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 accessible and effective for most people. Cons: Some patients may have side effects, such as dry mouth dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also help with anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems however, doctors can prescribe them "off-label" for anxiety. They work to reduce the effects of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They also can cause adverse effects such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise can help alleviate anxiety. Meditation and yoga can help ease anxiety. Additionally, there are mind-body treatments that can be beneficial for anxiety such as acupuncture and tai chi. Talk to your doctor about the options that could be best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy that is based on scientific research that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into a vicious cycle. CBT teaches how to identify negative patterns of thought and apply strategies to manage them. It also teaches how to manage your responses to stressful situations and develop coping mechanisms.
In the initial sessions the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or providing written material. They will be able to understand your specific illness, identify the symptoms that are troubling you, and determine whether the current treatments are working. The assessment can also determine if you can have an emotional connection.
CBT is usually short-term and will last for 20 or less sessions. In these sessions, you will see your therapist at a minimum every week or twice a week. Your therapist will teach various self-help techniques like how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also teach you coping strategies like how to quiet your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist may also offer tools, like therapy worksheets, that will aid in tracking the triggers and symptoms. They will assist you in working through your anxiety in small steps to ensure that the process is less intimidating. If you are afraid of social situations, your therapist might invite you to play with them, and then move on to talking to your family or friends.
CBT also includes behavioural experiments. It helps you challenge your irrational and catastrophic predictions by providing evidence to counter them. For example, if think that something awful will occur if you leave the home, you could conduct an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction before going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I will be sick with food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was correct or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be used as a substitute for medication for 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 helps to ease anxiety and stress and can help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be observed after just one session.
During a session of hypnosis (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist will guide you into a state of mind that appears to be like a daydream. In this state of relaxation you are able to hear and respond to suggestions from the therapist. Iam Psychiatry may ask you to imagine a secure and peaceful place, and then they will advise you to pay attention to the sensory details as they slowly become more real. This is referred to as 'deepening trance'. This is the point where you start to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. They can walk out of the room or open their eyes after the hypnotherapy session, and they are already feeling shifts. This is very normal, and at times it can feel magical. For some, however it may take several sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to give therapy time to be effective.
If you are considering hypnotherapy, you should always consult with your doctor first. They will be able to answer any questions you have regarding hypnotherapy, and discuss your options. You will need to book an appointment in private if you want to use hypnosis. These sessions are expensive but they are also more affordable than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by an event that was traumatic, such as a car crash or natural disaster, or even war. It can cause depression, anxiety and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include disturbing memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a successful treatment for PTSD, and it's usually coupled with other types of talking therapy to produce the most effective results.
Exercise
Anxiety is a major issue for people who are looking to live active lives however the good news is that exercising may offer some of the best non-pharmacological treatments for anxiety. A vigorous workout session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours and a consistent schedule of exercise can dramatically reduce them over time.
Although it is well-documented that regular exercise can provide health benefits, only a few studies have specifically examined its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that intense exercises are particularly effective for anxiety disorders.
The researchers who conducted the study, headed by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson The study assigned 223 people suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group workout program that involved either high or low intensity exercises. They also gave them instructions on how they can incorporate exercise into their daily lives. The results were clear. Those in the high-intensity groups had a significant decrease in their anxiety levels when compared to those in low-intensity.
These results have implications for the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not affected and the absence of physical activity can contribute to their psychiatric problems. Research suggests that those who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to develop anxiety disorders or depression than those who are sitting down.
It's not surprising that exercising has a positive effect on mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones like serotonin and dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. However, the benefits of physical activity are much greater than that: studies have shown that it is just as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al. identified eight studies that compared groups that exercised with those who did not exercise. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. However, the researchers limited their analyses to trials that involved participants with a formally diagnosed anxiety disorder. This means that more research is needed to assess whether exercise is an option for people who have elevated levels of anxiety.