20 Myths About Treatment Of Anxiety: Busted
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can sabotage the quality of life of an individual because it makes them feel overwhelmed exhausted, depressed, and stressed. Worry can keep people from interacting with others, reinforcing their false sense of danger and thus creating feelings of isolation.
Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all part of the treatment for anxiety. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam.
Medications
People are generally anxious at times, but when that feeling goes on for a long period of time or is a hindrance to daily activities, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and psychotherapy. While medication can help alleviate symptoms, they don't cure anxiety disorders. They must be used alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments.
The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants correct an imbalance of the chemicals in the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are sedatives that help to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and therefore not recommended for long-term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. They also block the brain's receptors that absorb serotonin and allow more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate. This eases 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, effective for most people and have a high safety profile. Pros: Some patients could experience side effects like dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
Other psychiatric drugs, such as propranolol, can also help with anxiety symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart ailments However, doctors may prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They help to lessen the effects of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They also can cause side effects like bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.
Making changes to your diet and getting enough exercise, can help ease anxiety. Also, relaxing activities like yoga and meditation. There are also other treatments for the mind such as acupuncture and Tai Chi that can ease anxiety. Speak to your doctor about the treatments that could be best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that works in treating anxiety disorders. It works on the principle that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into an endless cycle. CBT teaches you to identify your negative thoughts patterns and implement strategies to control them. It also teaches how to control your responses to stressful situations and develop coping strategies.
In the first session the therapist will usually conduct an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, interviewing you, or even providing written material. This will help them to understand your specific disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also determine whether your current treatments are working. The assessment can also be used to determine if you are able to have a a therapeutic relationship.
CBT is usually short-term and will last 20 or fewer sessions. During these sessions, will meet with your therapist at least once every week or twice a week. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help methods that include how to reframe negative thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also teach you coping skills such as how to relax your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist can also give you different tools, including therapy worksheets, to aid in tracking your symptoms and triggers. They will assist you in working through your anxiety in smaller steps and make the process seems less daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist could have you role-play with them and then move onto talking to family or friends.
Another aspect of CBT is behavioural tests. It allows you to challenge your irrational catastrophic predictions by generating evidence against them. If you're afraid that something bad could occur to you if 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'll be able to record whether or not the prediction was correct.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as an alternative to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, change their perception of their symptoms and modify their behavior. It can also be used to conquer fears. It is commonly used to ease stress and anxiety, but it can also assist in decreasing pain. The effects of hypnosis are long-lasting and can be seen after just one session.
During a hypnosis session (or when listening to an audio recording), the therapist will lead you into a trance state that is similar to being in a dream. In this relaxed state, you are able to hear the suggestions of your therapist and respond. They may ask you to imagine an environment that is safe and relaxing, and then tell you to pay attention to the sensory details that slowly become real. This is referred to as 'deepening trance'. generalized anxiety treatment is the point where the therapy will begin to work and you'll start to see a difference in your symptoms.
Many people notice a change immediately. After a hypnotherapy, they can feel the shift immediately after they leave the room or close their eyes. This is very normal and may feel like magic. For some however, it might take a few sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal and it's essential to allow time for the therapy to work.
Always consult with your doctor before undergoing hypnotherapy. They will be able to discuss your options and answer any questions that you may have about the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety. Hypnosis isn't available on the NHS therefore you'll have to schedule a private session with a qualified therapist. These sessions can be expensive however they are usually more cost efficient than other forms of treatment for anxiety.
Hypnosis is often used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic event like a car accident, natural disaster or war. It can trigger anxiety, depression and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is a successful treatment for PTSD and is often coupled with other types of talking therapy to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Exercise is a great treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours and a consistent schedule of physical activity may dramatically reduce them over time.
While it is widely acknowledged that regular exercise has health benefits, few studies have focused on its effects on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that intense exercise routines are particularly beneficial for the condition.
The researchers who conducted the study, headed by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson The study assigned 223 people suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group exercise program that included high or low intensity workouts. They also provided them with instructions on how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. The results were evident: 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 programs in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people 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 suffering from depression or anxiety disorders than sedentary people.
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental health. It boosts the release of positive hormones like dopamine, serotonin and other. In addition, it helps increase self-esteem and improve the quality of sleep. However, the benefits of exercise is higher than that. A number of studies have shown that it is just as effective as antidepressants when it comes to treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody et al. identified eight studies that compared groups that exercised against those who did not exercise. All of these studies reported a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers limited their analyses to trials which included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. This means that more research is needed to determine if exercise is a viable option for those who have elevated levels of anxiety.