Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can ruin a person's life by making them feel tired and depressed. Stress can prevent people from interacting with others, which can reinforce their false sense of security and causing isolation.
Exercise psychotherapy, medication, and exercise are all part of the treatment of anxiety. The medications can include antidepressants like SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam.
Medicines
People are generally anxious at times, but when that feeling lasts for a long period of time or is a hindrance to daily activities, it is an indication of an anxiety disorder. I Am Psychiatry and medication are usually used to treat anxiety disorders. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they do not treat anxiety disorders. They should be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
The medications that are typically prescribed for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants address a chemical imbalance within the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are sedatives which work quickly to 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 aid in reducing the levels of cortisol stress hormone in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, which allows 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. Pros: SSRIs are readily available and effective for the majority of people, and have a favorable safety profile. Pros: Some patients could experience side effects like dry mouth dizziness, dry mouth and drowsiness.
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 may prescribe them "off label" for anxiety. They help to lessen the effects of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also cause adverse effects like orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) as well as bradycardia (slower than normal heart rate) and sedation.
Change your diet and ensuring you get enough exercise, can alleviate anxiety. Meditation and yoga can also aid in easing anxiety. In addition, there are mind-body treatments that can help with anxiety, including acupuncture and tai chi. Consult your physician about what options might be right 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 idea that thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations all have a connection and that negative patterns could trap you in a vicious loop. CBT helps you recognize negative thought patterns and implement strategies to control them. It also teaches you to manage your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and develop strategies for coping.
In the first session, a therapist usually performs an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or providing written material. It will help them understand the specific condition you suffer from, identify the signs that are distressing and determine if your current treatments are working. The test will also be used to determine if you can have a therapeutic relationship.
CBT usually lasts for 20 sessions or less. In these sessions, you will see your therapist at a minimum every week or two weeks. Your therapist will teach various self-help techniques, such as how to reframe negative thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also assist you to develop coping strategies like how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist may also offer tools, such as therapy worksheets, that will aid you in identifying the symptoms and triggers. They will help you overcome your anxiety in small, manageable steps so that it doesn't seem like a daunting task. For example, if you are concerned about social interactions, they may begin with role-playing with your therapist, and then proceed to talk to friends or family members.
CBT also incorporates behavioural tests. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by proving them. For instance, if you think that something awful will occur if you leave your house, you might do an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction prior to going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I will get food poisoning." You can then determine if your prediction was true or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as a substitute for medication for anxiety. Hypnosis helps people relax, change their perception of their symptoms and alter their behavior. It can also be used to conquer phobias. It is commonly employed to decrease anxiety and stress, but it can also assist in decreasing pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be felt after just one session.
In a hypnosis session (or when listening to an audio recording) the therapist will lead you into a trance that feels a bit like being in a daydream. In this state of relaxation you will be able to respond and listen to suggestions from the therapist. They might ask you to imagine a safe and relaxing place and then they will tell you to pay attention to sensory details as they slowly become more real. This is referred to as "deepening trance". Here is where you will start to notice a difference in the symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. After hypnotherapy you can feel the shift as soon as they leave the room or open up their eyes. This is quite normal, and at times it can be awe-inspiring. However, for some people, it can take a few sessions before they can see any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to allow therapy time to work.
You should always consult your physician prior to undergoing the hypnotherapy method. They will be able to answer any questions you have regarding hypnotherapy, and help you decide on your options. Hypnosis is not offered on the NHS so you will need to arrange an appointment with a licensed therapist. These sessions can be costly however they are more cost-effective than other forms treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is often used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event like a car accident or natural disaster or war and it causes anxiety, depression and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, and it's usually combined with other talking therapies to get the best results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a significant obstacle for those who are looking to live active lifestyles, but the good news is that exercise could be one of the most effective alternatives to treat anxiety. One vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours, and a consistent schedule of physical activity may drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has benefits for health, only a few studies have examined the effects it has on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is especially effective in treating anxiety.
The researchers in the study, supervised by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson the study enrolled 223 adults suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group workout program that included high or low intensity workouts. They also provided them with instructions on how to incorporate exercises into their daily routines. The results were clear that those who were in the high-intensity group showed significantly more improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low intensity group.
These results have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those without the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health issues. Physical activity is linked to a 25 percent lower chance of developing depression or anxiety disorders than those who are not sedentary.
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental health. It increases the release of feel-good hormones such as 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 shown that it can be as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al identified eight studies that compared groups that exercised with those who didn't exercise. All of these studies reported a reduction in anxiety. The researchers restricted their analyses to studies that involved participants with a formal diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is evident that more research is needed to determine whether exercise is an effective treatment option for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.