The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Treatment Of Anxiety

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can take a toll on a person's life by making them feel depressed and tired. The fear of being anxious can make people unable to socializing, creating a false sense that they are in danger and creating a sense of loneliness.

Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medications, and exercise. The medications can include antidepressants such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam.

Medicines

Anxiety disorders result of anxiety that lasts for too long or is a hindrance to everyday life. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they do not solve anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be employed in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to alleviate anxiety. Antidepressants help to correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that are fast-acting to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and are therefore not recommended for use in the long-term.

SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aid in reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that absorb serotonin in the brain, permitting 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. SSRIs have a solid safety record, are accessible and effective for most people. Cons Some patients experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth.

Other psychiatric medications, such as propranolol, can also be helpful for anxiety symptoms. These drugs are typically used 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 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 the normal heart rate) and sedation.

You can ease anxiety by changing your diet and working out regularly. So can relaxing activities like yoga and meditation. There are also other treatments for the mind like tai chi and acupuncture that can ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor about what options are right for you.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy founded on scientific research that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and physical sensations have a connection and that negative patterns can trap you in a vicious circle. CBT helps you identify negative thought patterns and implement strategies to manage them. It also teaches you to control your responses to stressful situations and develop coping mechanisms.

In the initial sessions, a therapist will typically conduct an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, conducting interviews, or even providing written material. They will be able to understand your specific disorder, pinpoint the symptoms that are troubling you, and determine whether the current treatments are working. They will also use the assessment to determine if they can establish an emotional connection with you.

CBT is usually short-term and can last for 20 or less sessions. You will see your therapist every week, either once or twice during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help methods that include how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcomes. They will also teach you strategies for coping such as how to relax your mind and relax your body.

Your therapist could also offer tools, such as therapy worksheets, that will help you track symptoms and triggers. They can help you work through your anxiety in smaller steps to ensure that the process seems less daunting. For instance, if are concerned about social interactions, they might start by playing a role with your therapist, and then begin talking to friends or family members.

Another benefit of CBT are behavioural experiments. It allows you to question your irrational predictions of catastrophe by proving them. For example, if think that something awful will happen if you leave the house, you might do an experiment with your behavior by predicting a scenario prior to going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I will be sick with food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was correct or not.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a good option as a substitute for medication to treat anxiety. It uses hypnosis to help people to alter their perceptions of their symptoms, change their behavior and relax. It can also be used to overcome fears. It is commonly used to ease anxiety and stress, but it can also help 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 recordings) the therapist will guide you into a trance state that feels a bit like being in a daydream. In this relaxed state you are able to respond and listen to suggestions made by the therapist. They may ask you imagine a safe and comfortable space and then ask you to pay attention to the sensory details that slowly become real. This is called a 'deepening state of trance.' Here is where you will begin to notice a difference in the symptoms.


Many people notice a difference immediately. They can walk out of the room or even open their eyes after an hypnotherapy session and notice a shift. This is quite normal, and at times it may feel like magic. For some people, however, it may require several sessions before they can notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's crucial to give therapy time to work.

If you are thinking about the possibility of hypnotherapy you should talk to your doctor first. They will be able to answer any questions you have about hypnotherapy and discuss your options. Hypnosis is not offered on the NHS therefore you'll have to arrange a private session with a qualified therapist. The sessions can be costly but are generally more cost effective than other forms of treatment for anxiety.

Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This condition occurs after a traumatic experience like a car accident or natural disaster, or even war. It can cause anxiety, depression and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, and it's usually coupled with other types of talking therapies to get the best results.

Exercise

Exercise could be the most effective treatment for anxiety. Exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms for several hours. A regular schedule of physical activity can also help to reduce them.

Although it is well documented that regular exercise can provide benefits for health, only a few studies have focused on the effects of exercise on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that intense exercises are particularly effective for those suffering from anxiety.

Researchers involved in the study under the direction of University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson assigned 223 people with anxiety issues to a 12-week program of group exercise, which included moderate or high-intensity training. They also gave them tips on how they can incorporate exercises into their lives. The results were clear that those in the high intensity group showed significantly more improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the low-intensity group.

These findings are relevant to the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people without the condition, and the absence of physical activity can contribute to their psychiatric disorders. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to develop anxiety or depression than those who are sedentary.

Exercise has a positive effect on mental well-being. It increases the release of positive hormones like serotonin, dopamine and others. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. However, the benefits of physical exercise is higher than that. A variety of studies have proven that it is as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.

A recent meta-analysis by Jayakody and colleagues revealed eight studies comparing groups who exercised versus those who did not exercise. I Am Psychiatry of the studies found a reduction in anxiety. Researchers restricted their studies to studies that involved participants who had a medical diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is clear that further research is needed to determine whether exercise is an effective treatment option for those with elevated levels of anxiety.

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Pub: 26 Apr 2024 09:46 UTC
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