Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can destroy the quality of life of an individual because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed and depressed. 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, such as SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam.
The effects of medication
Many people experience anxiety at times, but when that feeling goes on for too long or is a hindrance to daily activities, it could be the sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly employed to treat anxiety disorders. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they do not cure anxiety disorders. Therefore, they must be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.
The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines. Antidepressants correct a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's response to anxiety. They can also be addictive and therefore are not recommended for use over the long term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, within the body. They also block receptors that absorb serotonin in the brain, permitting more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate and easing 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 widely available and effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients have side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also help with anxiety-related symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. However, doctors can prescribe them "off label" to treat anxiety. They work to reduce the effects of stress hormones in your body, including noradrenaline and adrenaline, which increase heart rate and blood pressure. They can also trigger negative 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 ease anxiety by changing your diet and working out regularly. Meditation and yoga can also help ease anxiety. Additionally there are treatments for the mind and body that can help with anxiety such as acupuncture and tai chi. Consult your physician about the treatments that could be best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy founded on scientific research, is effective for treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts physical sensations, and thoughts have a common connection, and that negative patterns could cause you to be caught in a vicious circle. CBT helps you recognize the negative patterns of your mind, and implement techniques to help you manage them. It also teaches you how to regulate your reactions to anxiety-producing scenarios and develop coping mechanisms.
In the first session, the therapist typically conducts an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or even supplying written material. This will help them determine the cause of your disorder and pinpoint distressing symptoms. It will also help determine whether your current treatment options are working. They will also utilize the assessment to determine if they are able to establish an emotional connection with you.
CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. You will see your therapist once or twice a week during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help methods that include how to change your perspective on unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also help you learn coping skills like how to relax your body and calm your mind.
Your therapist could also offer you various tools, such as therapy worksheets that will assist you in identifying your symptoms and triggers. They will help you overcome anxiety in small, manageable steps so that it doesn't appear like a daunting task. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist could invite you to play with them, and then move on to talking to your family or friends.
CBT also involves behavioural studies. It helps you challenge your irrational catastrophic predictions by developing helpful evidence to counter them. For example, if you think that something awful will occur if you leave your house, you can conduct an experiment with your behavior by making a prediction prior to going out, such as "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." You can then determine if your prediction was true or false.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis helps people relax, change their perception of their symptoms, and alter their behavior. It can also be used to conquer fears. It is commonly used to reduce anxiety and stress, but it can also help 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 while listening to a recorded recording) the therapist guides you into a state that feels like a daydream. In natural anxiety treatments relaxed state you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and then respond. They might ask you to imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing and then instruct you to pay attention to sensory details that gradually become real. This is referred to as a 'deepening trance'. Here is where you will begin 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 close their eyes. This is quite normal, and at times it can feel magical. For some, however, it may take several sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to give therapy time to get things going.
Always consult your physician prior to undergoing treatment with hypnotherapy. They will be able to answer any concerns you have about hypnotherapy and discuss your options. You'll need to book an appointment with a specialist in order to utilize the hypnotic method. These sessions are expensive however they are more affordable than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This condition is caused by trauma like a car crash or natural disaster, or even war and it causes depression, anxiety and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include disturbing memories, nightmares, and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great method of controlling PTSD and it is usually combined with other talking treatments to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Anxiety is a major hurdle for many people who wish to lead active lives However, the positive side is that exercise could be one of the best non-pharmacological treatments for the condition. Exercise can help reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular routine of exercise can help to reduce them.
Although it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, very few studies have specifically examined its effects on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that high intensity exercise routines are particularly beneficial for anxiety disorders.
Researchers involved in the study led University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people with anxiety issues to a 12-week program of group exercise that included moderate or high-intensity training. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. The results were clear. The participants in the high-intensity groups had a significant decrease in their anxiety levels compared to those in low intensity.
These findings have implications for the use of exercise programmes in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than those who do not suffer from the condition. This could contribute to their mental health issues. Physical activity is linked to an increase of 25 percent in the risk of depression or anxiety disorders than people who are sedentary.
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental health. It increases the release of feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and others. Additionally, it can help increase self-esteem and improve the quality of sleep. However, the benefits of physical activity are much greater than that studies have proven that it is as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies that compared groups who exercised with those who did not. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. Researchers restricted their studies to studies that involved participants who have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is clear that more research is required to determine whether exercise is an effective treatment option for those with clinically elevated anxiety levels.