Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can take a toll on an individual's life by making them feel depressed and tired. Stress can prevent people from socializing 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 part of the treatment of anxiety. Medications include antidepressants such as the SSRIs, citalopram, and escitalopram (citalopram and escitalopram) and benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or diazepam.

Medicines

Most people feel anxious from time to time however, when the feeling goes on for a long time or is a hindrance to daily activities, it is an indication of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly employed to treat anxiety disorders. While medication can help alleviate symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. They must be used alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.

The medications that are typically prescribed to treat anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance within the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that are fast-acting to stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and shouldn't be used for a long time.

SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone, in the body. They also block the brain's receptors that absorb serotonin, allowing for more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate. 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 are effective for the majority of people and have a high safety profile. Cons: Some patients may experience side effects like dry mouth dizziness, dry mouth and drowsiness.

Other psychiatric drugs, such as propranolol, can also help with anxiety symptoms. These medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart issues. However, doctors can prescribe them "off label" for anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline that increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also have negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation.

You can lessen anxiety by changing your diet and working out regularly. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can aid in relieving anxiety. There are also mind-body treatments like acupuncture and tai chi that can ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor about what options are suitable for you.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a psychotherapy founded on scientific research and proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations all have a common connection, and that negative patterns could cause you to be caught in a vicious cycle. CBT helps you recognize negative patterns of thought and apply strategies to manage them. It also teaches how to control your reactions to anxiety-producing scenarios and develop coping mechanisms.

In the initial sessions the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires, conducting an interview, or even supplying written material. They will be able to understand the specific condition you suffer from, identify distressing symptoms and determine if your current treatment options are effective. The test will also be used to determine if you're able to establish a a therapeutic relationship.

CBT is usually short-term and can last for 20 or less sessions. Your therapist will visit you every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help strategies that will help you change negative thoughts into positive ones and how to practice positive outcome imagery. They will also teach you coping strategies such as how to calm your mind and relax your body.

Your therapist may also provide you with tools, like therapy worksheets, which will aid in tracking the triggers and symptoms. They will help you overcome anxiety in small steps that are manageable to make it less as daunting. If you're afraid of social situations, your therapist could invite you to play with them, and then move on to talking to family or friends.

CBT also incorporates behavioural tests. It allows you to challenge your irrational catastrophic predictions by generating evidence to counter them. If you're worried that something bad will happen to you if you leave your house you can conduct an behavioural test by making a prediction. For instance, "If I go for dinner, I'll contract food poisoning." Then, you can record whether or not the prediction was accurate.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication to treat anxiety. It uses hypnosis to help people change their perceptions of their symptoms, alter their behaviors and relax. It can be used to help overcome fears. It is often employed to decrease anxiety and stress, however it can also be helpful in reducing pain. The effects of hypnosis can be long lasting and the benefits can be seen in just one session.

In a hypnosis session (or while listening to a recorded audio) the therapist guides you into a state of mind that feels like a daydream. In this state of relaxation, you can listen to the suggestions of the therapist and respond. They may ask you to imagine a safe and comfortable place and after that they will tell you to pay attention to the sensory details that gradually become more real. This is referred to as 'deepening trance'. This is when you will begin to notice a change in the symptoms.

Many people notice a shift immediately. They might leave the room or open their eyes after the hypnotherapy session, and they notice an improvement. This is normal, and at times it can feel magical. However, for some, it can take several sessions before they see any positive changes. This is normal and it is essential to allow the therapy time to be effective.

If you are thinking about hypnotherapy, you should always consult your physician first. They can discuss your options and answer any questions you may have about hypnotherapy for inpatient anxiety treatment. Hypnosis is not available on the NHS therefore you'll have to book a private session with a trained therapist. The sessions are costly but they are also more cost-effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.

In certain situations the use of hypnosis is used to treat PTSD. This is a condition that occurs following a traumatic experience like a car accident, natural disaster or war. It can trigger depression, anxiety and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and increased anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a great way to control PTSD and it is usually combined with other talking therapies to get the best results.

Exercise

Anxiety can be a major obstacle for those who are looking to live active lives, but the good news is that exercise can provide some of the best non-pharmacological treatment options for the disorder. A single vigorous exercise session can relieve 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 health benefits, few studies have looked specifically at its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests that high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.

Researchers in the study, led University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 adults who suffer from anxiety to a 12-week program of group exercise that comprised low- or high-intensity workouts. They also gave them instructions on how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. The results were evident that those who were in the high-intensity group showed significantly greater improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low-intensity group.

These findings have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people without the condition, and a lack of physical activity may cause psychiatric issues for them. Research suggests that those who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to develop anxiety disorders or depression than those who are sedentary.

It's not surprising that exercising has a positive effect on mental health. It triggers the release of hormones that make you feel good like serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, it can help boost self-esteem and improve sleep quality. However, the benefits of physical exercise is greater than that. A variety of studies have proven that it can be just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety.

A recent meta-analysis done by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight trials that compared groups that exercised with those who did not exercise. Each study found a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers limited their studies to those that involved participants with a formally diagnosed anxiety disorder. It is evident that more research is required to determine if exercise is an effective treatment option for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.