Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can affect the quality of life of a person by making them feel stressed, depressed, and tired. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from socializing with others, which can reinforce their misguided sense of danger and causing isolation.

Exercise, medication, and psychotherapy are all part of the treatment for anxiety treatment elderly [check out this one from Bitsdujour]. Medications can include antidepressants, such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam.

Medicines

People are generally anxious from time to time, but when that feeling goes on for too long or becomes a problem in daily life, it is a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Although medications can relieve symptoms, they cannot treat anxiety disorders. They should be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines. Antidepressants can correct a imbalance of chemical substances in the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that work fast to stop the body's reaction to anxiety. They can also be addictive and shouldn't be used for a long time.

SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, permitting more of the mood-enhancing chemical to circulate and easing the 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, and are widely available and effective for a majority of people. Cons: Some patients might experience side effects like dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.

Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also aid in reducing anxiety symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, but doctors sometimes prescribe them "off-label" to treat anxiety. They work to reduce the effect of stress hormones in the body, like noradrenaline and adrenaline, which increase heart rate and blood pressure. 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 lessen anxiety by adjusting your diet and exercising enough. Relaxing activities such as 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. Talk to your doctor about what options are right for you.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a scientifically-based psychotherapy that is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations all are connected and that negative patterns can cause you to be caught in a vicious cycle. CBT helps you identify your negative thought patterns and to implement strategies to help you manage them. It also helps you regulate your responses to anxiety-producing situations and develop coping strategies.

In the first session a therapist usually performs an assessment. This may include filling out questionnaires, interviewing you or providing written materials. They will be able to understand your specific illness, identify the symptoms that are troubling you and determine if the current treatments are working. The assessment will also help determine if you are able to have a an therapeutic relationship.

CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. You will meet your therapist at least once a week during these sessions. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help techniques including how to change negative thoughts into positive ones and how to practice positive outcome imagery. They will also help you develop coping strategies, such as how to treat anxiety to relax your body and relax your mind.

Your therapist may also offer tools, such as therapy worksheets, that will aid you in identifying the triggers and symptoms. They can help you work through your anxiety in small steps and make the process becomes less daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist may have you role-play with them before moving on to talking to your family or friends.

CBT also incorporates behavioural tests. It can help you question your irrational, catastrophic predictions by generating evidence against them. For instance, if you are worried that something catastrophic will occur if you leave the home, you could conduct a behavioural experiment by predicting a scenario prior to going out, for example "If I go out for dinner, I'll be sick with food poisoning." You can then track whether your prediction was correct or false.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be utilized as an alternative to medications to treat anxiety. It employs hypnosis to aid people alter their perceptions of their symptoms, change their behavior and relax. It can be used to help overcome fears. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety and can help with pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and the benefits can be felt after just one session.

During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to a recording) the therapist will guide you into a state of trance that feels a bit like being in a dream. In this relaxed state, you can respond and listen to suggestions made by the therapist. They may ask you to imagine a secure and relaxing place and then they will instruct you to be aware of sensory details as they slowly become more real. This is known as a 'deepening state of trance.' This is the point where you begin to notice a change in the symptoms.

Many people notice a difference immediately. They might leave the room or open their eyes after the hypnotherapy session, and they are already feeling an improvement. This is normal and it can also feel mystical. However, for some, it can anxiety go away without treatment take several sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's important to allow therapy time to get things going.

If you are thinking about hypnotherapy, you should always talk to your doctor first. They will be able to answer any concerns you may have regarding hypnotherapy and also discuss your options. You'll need to book an appointment in private for hypnotherapy if you are interested in using the technique of hypnosis. These sessions can be costly, but they are more affordable than other forms of treatment for anxiety.

In certain situations, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This is a condition that occurs following a traumatic experience such as a car crash or natural treatment for anxiety and depression disaster, or war. It can cause depression, anxiety, and other problems. The symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for PTSD, and it's usually used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to produce the most effective results.

Exercise

Exercise may be the best treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can relieve anxiety symptoms for hours, and a consistent schedule of exercise can drastically reduce anxiety treatment without meds symptoms over time.

While it is widely acknowledged that regular exercise provides positive health effects, few studies have examined the effects it has on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is particularly effective in treating anxiety.

The researchers who conducted the study, supervised by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson The study assigned 223 people suffering from anxiety to a 12-week group workout program that involved either high or low intensity workouts. They also gave them tips on how they can incorporate fitness into their lives. The results were evident. Participants in the high intensity groups showed a significant improvement in anxiety levels compared to those in low intensity.

These results have implications for the use of exercise plans in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary compared to those who are not affected and a lack of physical activity could cause psychiatric issues for them. Research shows that those who are physically active are less likely to develop anxiety disorders or depression than those who are inactive.

It's not a surprise that exercise has a positive effect on mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. It can improve sleep and increase self-esteem. However, the benefits of exercise are more extensive studies have proven that it's more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.

A recent meta-analysis carried out by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies comparing groups who exercised with those who did not. All of the studies found a reduction in anxiety. However, the researchers limited their analysis to studies which included participants who had an anxiety disorder that was formally diagnosed. This means that further research is required to assess whether exercise is an option for people with elevated anxiety levels clinically.