How Anxiety is Treated

Every person experiences anxiety from time to time. This is often an emotional reaction to stressful events that happen in life. However, when these anxiety levels become too much and cause problems with daily life it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.

Mental health professionals can assess your symptoms and conduct tests to rule out any other illnesses. Treatment options include psychotherapy and medication.

Medicines

Everyone feels nervous and worried at times, but if they are persistent or affect your daily life to the point where you're unable to function it's time to talk to your mental health professional regarding medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most effective medication for your anxiety and discuss other treatment options including psychotherapy, exercise, and stress management techniques.

Antidepressants and anxiety-reducing medications are used to combat anxiety. Antidepressants increase the activity of certain chemicals in your brain that affect mood, including serotonin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. A variety of other antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants as well as monoamine oxidase inhibitors are also approved to treat anxiety disorders, as well as other, such as benzodiazepines, increase activity at the receptors for the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA) which produces an calming effect.

There are two types of anxiolytic medications that are standing doses that are taken regularly and as-needed medicines that you take when anxiety is a major issue. The first one can take a bit of time to work but they typically eliminate or reduce your symptoms. As-needed medications are more effective, in about 20 minutes. However, they only improve anxiety so long as the medication is in your system.

While medications are a crucial component of your treatment, they cannot alleviate anxiety. Your clinician will discuss with you other ways to treat symptoms, including psychotherapy (talk-therapy) as well as exercise and stress management, as well as self-help strategies such as breathing exercises, progressive muscular relaxation, and biofeedback. Many people suffering from anxiety and phobias respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, which can teach you to recognize the thoughts that trigger your fears and learn to control them. Other treatments include eye-movement desensitization processing or EMDR. This helps people overcome trauma, anxiety and depression. Some people can benefit from Acupuncture. This involves placing needles at specific locations on the body to ease tension and pain.

Counseling

The aim of counseling (or psychotherapy) is to teach you healthier ways of thinking and dealing with anxiety. It helps you to identify the triggers that cause anxiety, and to discover the underlying causes. Research-backed treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and exposure therapy are effective for treating anxiety. These treatments can also be combined with an pharmacotherapy treatment program.

It's important to realize that you're not the only one If anxiety is affecting your life. Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the US, and the fear and nervousness can cause problems throughout your life. There are a variety of mental health professionals that can help, including psychologists, counselors, social workers and psychiatrists. The WithTherapy platform can connect you with a therapist who's tailored to your needs and preferences.

Many people suffering from anxiety experience symptoms such as anxiety and restlessness, or trouble sleeping. Most of the time, these symptoms are triggered by specific events or situations. Counseling can help you identify and address these triggers to ensure you feel better.

The use of behavioral and cognitive therapies has been shown to be more effective than medications for managing anxiety and the benefits of therapy may last for months and even years after treatment for depression and anxiety ends. Psychotherapy, in contrast to medication, How Anxiety is Treated can help you overcome your anxious thoughts.

Aside from learning to recognize the triggers that cause anxiety, counseling can also provide a safe place for you to talk about your feelings with someone else who is on the same path as you. Ruminating, experiencing negative or depressing thoughts, and worrying are all common signs of anxiety that can be alleviated by talking them out with an therapist.

Some people find relief through herbal remedies and supplements, in addition to psychological therapy. It's important to note that these options aren't regulated by the FDA in the same manner as prescription drugs and can have harmful side effects. So before you turn to herbs or supplements ensure that you consult with your doctor first. You can join a group of people suffering from anxiety and meet other people who can relate to your situation.

Self-help strategies

Anxiety is not just an emotion it can trigger physical symptoms, such as sweating, heart palpitations and nausea. There are medical conditions that could cause anxiety, but most of the time, it's caused by lifestyle factors like poor diet or exercise routine, as well as sleep problems. Self-management techniques can help to reduce the symptoms and increase the quality of your life. Relaxation exercises avoidance of caffeine and nicotine, sleeping more, and implementing effective stress-management techniques are all options. Regular exercising is suggested to boost serotonin, which can counter anxiety-related symptoms.

Self-help methods are usually more effective in managing anxiety symptoms than medication. These can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches patients how to identify and alter negative thoughts patterns. Another treatment is exposure therapy, which assists people confront the things or people that trigger anxiety by gradually increasing their contact with them. This can be done by imagination or by actually going into the fearful situation. Exposure therapy can be used alone or as part of CBT.

Certain people suffering from anxiety have found that keeping a log of their symptoms can be helpful. It can be a means to keep track of the frequency and severity of the symptoms and how they affect day-to-day activities and relationships. Keeping a journal can also help a person determine the causes of anxiety, and the triggers and stressors. An individual can also join a support group to get together with others who suffer from anxiety and discuss their experiences.

Psychotherapy and other counseling methods are also effective in treating anxiety. A psychiatrist, who is a specialist in mental health, can prescribe medication. Psychotherapy is offered by a psychologist or any other mental health specialist who can help you discuss your concerns and create strategies for coping. The most common form of therapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy also known as CBT, which is a type of psychotherapy that has been proven effective in clinical trials.

Psychotherapy

The use of medication can help with anxiety, but psychotherapy does something medication can't provide people with the ability to regain control of their emotions and bodies when worry overtakes them. Randomized clinical trials show that psychotherapy is more effective than medications in reducing symptoms of anxiety, and its effects last beyond the time of treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular method of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety. In CBT, patients learn skills to manage anxiety by identifying and studying negative thoughts that trigger their anxiety. They then replace these thoughts with realistic, calming ones. Patients also learn to use different coping strategies that will help them manage their symptoms, such as learning to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

Another type of psychotherapy that can be helpful for anxiety is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) which helps individuals to acknowledge and address their anxieties in a healthy manner rather than avoiding them. This kind of therapy encourages patients try new things, and gradually confront their fears until they are able to manage them without difficulty. Other strategies for coping include eye movement desensitization as well as Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) which makes use of back-and-forth repetitive eye movements to change negative emotional reactions to the memories that are making you anxious.

Exercise and stress-reduction techniques can be incorporated into psychotherapy for anxiety. Regular exercise can help keep blood pressure and heart rates at a healthy level which can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Eating a balanced diet containing low levels of sugar and limiting consumption of caffeine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms.

The most effective psychotherapists for anxiety will be able to communicate with you in a way that helps you feel comfortable speaking up and expressing your feelings. However, the process of finding a good therapist can take some time, and it's typical for people to visit many therapists before they find a good fit. In order to get the most value from therapy requires patience, commitment, and a clear communication with your therapy therapist.