Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy the quality of life of an individual by making them feel stressed exhausted, depressed, and stressed. Stress can hinder people from engaging, causing a false belief that they are in danger and creating isolation.
Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all part of the treatment for anxiety. Medications include antidepressants such as SSRIs, citalopram and Escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram) as well as benzodiazepines such as lorazepam or diazepam.
Medicines
Many people experience anxiety from time to time, but when that feeling goes on for too long or becomes a problem in daily life, it's an indication of an anxiety disorder. Treatment of anxiety disorders usually involves psychotherapy and medication. While medications can alleviate the symptoms, they do not treat anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other lifestyle modifications.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to alleviate anxiety. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance within the brain that causes 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 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 which allows 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. Pros: SSRIs are readily available and are effective for the majority of people, and have a favorable safety profile. Cons: Some patients suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Propranolol, along with other psychiatric medicines can also help with anxiety symptoms. These drugs are usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart-related conditions. However, doctors might prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. They work to reduce the effects of stress hormones within the body, including noradrenaline and adrenaline, which increase heart rate and blood pressure. They can also trigger side effects such as 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 exercising enough. Relaxing activities such as meditation and yoga can also aid in relieving anxiety. In addition, there are mind-body treatments that can be beneficial for anxiety, such as Tai chi and acupuncture. Speak to your doctor about the options that could be the best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a psychotherapy founded on scientific research that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into an endless cycle. CBT helps you recognize your negative thoughts patterns and implement strategies to help you manage them. It also teaches you how to regulate your responses to stressful situations and develop coping strategies.
In the initial session, the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may involve completing questionnaires, interviewing you, or providing written materials. They will be able to understand your specific disorder, pinpoint distressing symptoms, and determine whether your current treatment options are effective. The test will also determine if you are able to have a an therapeutic relationship.
CBT usually lasts for 20 sessions or less. During these sessions, you will see your therapist at least every week or twice a week. Your therapist will teach you various self-help strategies including how to redirect negative thoughts and to practice positive outcomes imagery. They will also teach you coping skills like how to quiet your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist can also give you different tools, like therapy worksheets, to assist you in identifying your triggers and symptoms. They can help you conquer your anxiety in small steps that are manageable and to make it less as daunting. For example, if you are worried about social interactions, they may begin with role-playing with your therapist, and then move on to talking to family members or friends.
CBT also involves behavioural studies. It allows you to challenge your irrational and catastrophic predictions by developing helpful evidence to counter them. If you're afraid that something bad will occur to you if you leave your home, you can do an behavioural test by making a prediction. For instance, "If I go for dinner, I'll contract food poisoning." Then you can note whether or not the prediction was correct.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as a supplement to medication for anxiety. It uses hypnosis to help people to alter their perceptions of their symptoms, change their behaviors and relax. It can be used to overcome fears. It is often used to ease anxiety and stress, but it can also help in reducing pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be felt after only one session.
During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to an audio recording) the therapist will guide you into a trance that is similar to being in a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you can hear the therapist's suggestions and respond. They may ask you 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 referred to as a "deepening state of trance.' This is when the therapy will begin to work and you'll begin to notice a difference in your symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. They might leave the room or open their eyes following an hypnotherapy session and are already feeling a shift. This is normal, and sometimes it can feel like magic. For some however, it could require several sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal and it is important to allow the therapy time to get it working.
Always consult your physician prior to undergoing treatment with hypnotherapy. Iampsychiatry can answer any questions you may have regarding hypnotherapy and also discuss your options. You will need to book an appointment with a specialist if you want to use the hypnotic method. The sessions are costly however they are more cost-effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances the use of hypnosis is used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event like a car crash or natural disaster, or even war and it causes anxiety, depression and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great method to manage PTSD and is typically used in conjunction with other therapies for optimal results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. One vigorous exercise session can relieve anxiety-related symptoms for hours, and a consistent routine of physical exercise could significantly reduce them over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has positive health effects, few studies have examined its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercises are particularly effective for anxiety disorders.
Researchers who participated in the study led University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults with anxiety issues to an intensive 12-week program of group exercise that included low- or high-intensity workouts. They also provided them with instructions on how they can incorporate exercises into their life. The results were evident. The participants in the high-intensity groups had a significant decrease in their anxiety levels compared to those who exercised in low intensity.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not suffering from the condition. This could contribute to their mental health problems. Physical activity is linked to a 25 percent lower risk of suffering from depression or anxiety disorders than those who are not sedentary.
Exercise has a positive effect on mental well-being. It increases the release of positive hormones like serotonin, dopamine and others. It can also improve sleep and boost self-esteem. But the benefit of physical activity is even greater than that: a number of studies have found that it can be as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody et al. identified eight trials that compared groups that exercised with those who didn't exercise. Each study reported a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers restricted their studies to those which included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was officially diagnosed. This means that more research is needed to determine whether exercise is an option for people who have elevated levels of anxiety.