Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can sabotage the quality of life of a person by making them feel stressed exhausted, depressed, and stressed. The fear of being anxious can make people unable to interacting, reinforcing a misguided sense that they are in danger, and creating a sense of loneliness.
Exercise as well as psychotherapy and medication are all a part of the treatment of anxiety. Antidepressants are a few options, like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medicines
Anxiety disorders result of anxiety that lasts too long or is a hindrance to daily activities. Treatment of anxiety disorders usually involves psychotherapy and medication. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they are not able to solve anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be used in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Medications that are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants correct an imbalance in the chemical system of the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive and are therefore not recommended for use over the long-term.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, help to reduce the levels of cortisol stress hormone in the body. They also block receptors in the brain that absorb serotonin and allow more of the mood-enhancing chemical. This helps reduce 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 effective for the majority of people and have a high safety profile. Cons Some patients suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth.
Other psychiatric drugs, such as propranolol, are also effective in treating anxiety symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood-pressure and heart issues. However, I Am Psychiatry may prescribe them "off label" for anxiety. They are used to lessen the effect of stress hormones within the body, like noradrenaline and adrenaline, which raise your blood pressure and heart rate. They can also have adverse effects such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise can help alleviate anxiety. Relaxing activities such as meditation and yoga can aid in easing anxiety. There are also mind-body treatments such as acupuncture and Tai Chi which can help ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor about what options are suitable for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy that is based on scientific research, is effective for treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations all are connected and that negative patterns may keep you in a vicious loop. CBT helps you recognize the negative patterns of your mind and implement strategies that will help you control them. It also teaches you to manage your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and develop coping strategies.
In the first session the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This could include filling out questionnaires or conducting an interview or providing written material. This will help them to understand your specific disorder and pinpoint distressing symptoms. It will also help determine if your current treatments are working. They will also use the test to determine whether they can establish an emotional connection with you.
CBT is usually short-term, and can last for 20 or fewer sessions. In these sessions, you will see your therapist at a minimum every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help strategies that will help you reframe unhelpful thoughts and practice positive outcome visualization. They will also assist you to develop coping skills, such as how to relax your body and relax your mind.
Your therapist could also offer you a variety of tools, like therapy worksheets to help you track your symptoms and triggers. They can help you work through your anxiety in smaller steps, so that the process seems less daunting. For instance, if are worried about social interactions, they may begin by playing a role with your therapist and then proceed to talk to friends or family members.
Another benefit of CBT is behavioural tests. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by providing evidence to counter them. For example, if you are worried that something catastrophic will occur if you leave your house, you can conduct an experiment in your behavioural style by making a prediction before going out, like "If I go out for dinner, I will get food poisoning." You can then record whether your prediction was correct or not.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as a substitute for medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, alter their perception of their symptoms, and modify their behavior. It can be used to overcome fears. It can be used to decrease anxiety and stress, but can also help with pain. The effects of hypnosis may be long lasting and the benefits can be seen from just one session.
During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to a recording) the therapist will lead you into a trance state that is similar to being in a daydream. In this relaxed state, you can hear and respond to suggestions made by the therapist. They may ask you to imagine a safe and relaxing place and then they will instruct you to pay attention to the sensory details as they gradually become more real. This is referred to as "deepening trance". This is when you will start to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. After hypnotherapy sessions it is possible to feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or close their eyes. This is normal, and it can also feel mystical. However, for some people it could take several sessions before they see any positive changes. This is normal and it's essential to give the therapy time to get it working.
If you are thinking about the possibility of hypnotherapy you should consult with your doctor first. They can answer any questions you have about hypnotherapy and also discuss your options. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS so you will need to book an appointment with a qualified therapist. The sessions can be costly but are generally more cost effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In certain instances, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This condition is triggered by a traumatizing event like a car crash or natural disaster, or even war. It can trigger depression, anxiety and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great method of controlling PTSD and is often coupled with other talk treatments to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours, and a regular schedule of physical activity may significantly reduce them over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise can provide benefits for health, only a few studies have examined the effects it has on anxiety. However, a recent study suggests that intense exercise routines are particularly beneficial for anxiety disorders.
The researchers who conducted the study, supervised 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 workouts. They also gave them tips on how to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. 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 have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than those without the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health issues. Research suggests that those who are physically active are 25 percent less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those who are inactive.
Exercise has a positive effect on mental well-being. It stimulates the release feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and others. Furthermore, it can help improve self-esteem and sleep quality. But the benefits of exercise are more extensive: studies have shown that it's just as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies that compared groups who exercised to those that did not exercise. Each study reported a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers limited their studies to those that included participants who had a formally diagnosed anxiety disorder. It is evident that more research is required to determine if exercise can be an effective option for people with elevated levels of anxiety.