Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on the life of a person by making them feel tired and depressed. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from interacting with others, which can reinforce their misguided sense of danger and, consequently, creating a sense of feelings of isolation.
Exercise as well as psychotherapy and medication are all a part of the treatment for anxiety. Antidepressants are a few options, like SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, like diazepam and lorazepam.
Medicines
Many people experience anxiety from time to time, but when that feeling persists for too long or becomes a problem in daily life, it's an indication of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and psychotherapy. While medications can alleviate symptoms, they do not treat anxiety disorders. They must be used alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat anxiety. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can cause anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are sedatives that work quickly to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive and shouldn't be used for a long time.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, allowing 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 good safety record, and are widely available and effective for the majority of people. Cons Some patients suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Other psychiatric medicines, such as propranolol, are also effective in treating anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs are usually prescribed to treat high blood-pressure and heart issues. However, doctors may prescribe them "off label" for anxiety. They work to reduce the effects of stress hormones within the body, including adrenaline and noradrenaline, that increase heart rate and blood pressure. They can also cause adverse effects like orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) and bradycardia (slower than the normal heart rate) and sedation.
Change your diet and ensuring you get enough exercise can help alleviate anxiety. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. There are also other treatments for the mind like acupuncture and tai chi that can help with anxiety. Consult your physician about the options that are appropriate for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
treat generalized anxiety disorder is a scientifically-based psychotherapy that is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are interconnected, and that negative patterns can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT teaches how to identify negative patterns of thought and apply techniques to help you control them. It also helps you control your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and develop strategies for coping.
In the first session the therapist typically conducts an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, conducting interviews, or providing written materials. It will help them understand the specific condition you suffer from, identify the symptoms that are troubling you and determine if the current treatments are working. They will also use the assessment to determine if they are able to develop an emotional connection with you.
CBT usually lasts 20 sessions or less. Your therapist will visit you every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help strategies including how to reframe unhelpful thoughts and practice positive outcome visualization. They will also help you develop coping strategies including how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist might also offer tools, such as therapy worksheets, that will help you track the symptoms and triggers. They will assist you in working through your anxiety in smaller steps, so that the process seems less daunting. If you are afraid of social situations, your therapist may have you role-play with them, and then move on to talking to family or friends.
Another benefit of CBT is behavioural experiments. It helps you challenge your irrational, catastrophic predictions by providing evidence to counter them. For example, if you are worried that something catastrophic will happen if you leave the home, you could conduct an experiment in your behavioural style by making a prediction before going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." You can then record whether your prediction was accurate or not.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a different treatment to medications for anxiety. Hypnosis helps people relax, change their perception of their symptoms and alter their behavior. It can also be used to overcome phobias. It is often used to reduce anxiety and stress, however it can also be helpful in alleviating pain. The effects of hypnosis may be lasting and the benefits can be observed from just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded recording), the therapist guides you into a state that is like a dream. In this state of relaxation, you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and then respond. They may ask you to imagine a relaxing and safe place and then ask you to pay attention to sensory details that slowly become real. This is referred to as a "deepening state of trance.' This is when you will start to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a shift immediately. After a hypnotherapy, they can feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or open up their eyes. This is quite normal and sometimes it can feel magical. For some people however, it might take a few sessions before they see 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 the hypnotherapy method. They can discuss your options and answer any questions that you might have about the benefits of hypnotherapy for anxiety. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS therefore you'll have to schedule an appointment in private with a qualified therapist. These sessions are expensive, but they are more cost-effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This disorder is often triggered by a traumatic experience like a car crash, natural disaster or war. It can trigger depression, anxiety, and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares, and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy can be an effective method to manage PTSD and is typically coupled with other talk therapies to get the best results.
Exercise
Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can ease anxiety-related symptoms for hours, and a consistent routine of physical exercise could drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.
Although it is well documented that regular exercise provides benefits for health, only a few studies have specifically examined the effects of exercise on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.
Researchers who participated in the study were led by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults suffering from anxiety to an intensive 12-week program of group exercise, which included high-intensity or low-intensity exercises. They also gave them tips on how they can incorporate exercises into their lives. The results were clear. The participants in the high-intensity groups showed significant improvements in their anxiety levels when compared to those who exercised in low intensity.
These findings have implications on the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not affected and a lack of physical activity can cause psychiatric issues for them. Physical activity is linked to an increase of 25 percent in the risk of suffering from depression or anxiety disorders than sedentary people.
It's not surprising that exercising has a positive effect on mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones like serotonin as well as dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. But the benefits of physical activity are much greater than that studies have proven that it is more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al. identified eight trials which compared groups who exercised with those who did not exercise. All of these studies reported an improvement in anxiety levels. The researchers restricted their analyses to studies involving people who had a medical diagnosis of anxiety disorder. This means that further research is required to determine if exercise is a viable option for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.