Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" About Anxiety Disorder
Dealing With Anxiety Disorders
It is normal to experience anxiety at times However, chronic anxieties and fears that interfere with everyday life require treatment. Doctors can prescribe medication and talk therapy to ease the burden.
The most popular therapies are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques and exposure therapy. There is also a variety of medications that treat anxiety symptoms, like modern antidepressants.
Treatment
Stress can cause you to be anxious or scared at times. However, anxiety disorders can cause chronic and extreme feelings of worry or fear, often out of proportion to the circumstance. They can also interfere with people's daily activities and relationships. Certain symptoms can be relieved with medication. To recover fully, individuals need to learn better methods of managing and dealing with their anxiety.
Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may seek treatment from a medical care specialist or psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental health) psychologist, social worker or counselor. The health care professional will ask about the symptoms and medical history and might even conduct physical examination. They can also request laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that could be responsible for the symptoms.
Treatment options for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and medication. The type of treatment you receive and the duration will be determined by the disorder, its severity and the length of time you've been suffering from it. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular form of talk therapy used to treat anxiety. This approach assists people in identifying negative thought patterns and change them. It also teaches people relaxation techniques and exposure reactions to lessen anxiety.
Another type of talk therapy to treat anxiety is called interpersonal therapy, also known as IPT. This therapy can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety that is connected to their relationships, for example, social anxiety disorder or fears. Interpersonal therapy can help individuals discover healthy ways of expressing emotions and improve communication with others.
The medications that can ease certain anxiety symptoms include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers. A health care provider can prescribe the most effective medication to treat a patient's illness and will also discuss any adverse effects. Patients should not stop taking prescribed medication unless directed to do so by their doctor. In some instances, abrupt cessation of certain medication may trigger withdrawal symptoms. These include brain zaps that feel similar to shocks.
Alternative treatments for anxiety include meditation, yoga and self-management techniques like stress reduction and good sleeping habits. People with anxiety may also benefit by joining a group of others who suffer from similar issues. This can help provide compassion, understanding, as well as shared experiences. One should avoid caffeine and other drugs, which can cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. Finally, it is important to get enough rest and eat healthy and balanced meals. Regular exercise and spending time with friends can also help to reduce stress.
Signs and symptoms
Some people may experience anxiety at times like when they're starting a new job or taking tests. If anxiety disorders types continues to be a problem and begins to interfere with daily life, that's when assistance is required. Anxiety disorders can cause feelings of panic and fear that are not proportional to the actual danger, are hard to control and last a long time. Anxiety disorder can cause people to avoid situations or locations that trigger their symptoms.
People suffering from anxiety disorders typically undergo therapy and take medication or counseling. A form of psychotherapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most frequently used treatment for anxiety disorders. CBT teaches people how to recognize and change the behavior and thoughts that trigger their symptoms.
Other medications can also ease anxiety symptoms. For instance, beta-blockers, that are used to treat high blood pressure, may reduce heartbeats that are rapid and other physical manifestations of anxiety. Antidepressants are typically prescribed for depression but can also aid with anxiety. Examples include SSRIs such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and SNRIs such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor). Benzodiazepines are also helpful for some people with anxiety. They can have severe adverse effects and even addiction. Examples are diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
Education is crucial for recovery. Knowing about the "flight or fight" response which is normal, and assists us deal with threats, whether real or perceived and help dispel any myths that might be fueling anxiety. It's also helpful to realize that certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism and heart disease can cause anxiety symptoms. People with these conditions should get an extensive physical exam to rule out any problems.
Healthy eating, ample sleep and being active can all help to reduce anxiety symptoms. Avoiding alcohol and recreational street drugs can reduce anxiety symptoms. Smoking can make the problem worse. Talking to family and friends in person and online, can help.
Diagnosis
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times. They are normal and useful human emotions that allow us to cope with danger. However, if these feelings become constant and intense that they stop people from living a full life, it may be an appropriate time to seek help from a professional. A mental health expert can determine if suffer from an anxiety disorder and recommend treatment.
A healthcare professional will ask you questions about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to diagnose anxiety disorders. The doctor will want to know when the symptoms of anxiety began and how severe they were. A healthcare provider will also be looking to determine if the symptoms have interfered with your daily activities. Other mental health conditions such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder are often seen along with anxiety disorders. A specialist may ask you about any other mental health issues you've had.
There isn't a single test that can be used to diagnose anxiety. A medical professional can exclude other causes of your symptoms by performing a urine or blood test and asking you about your family history. A mental health professional can utilize questionnaires and tests that are standard to assess your anxiety and establish a diagnosis.
The majority of people suffering from anxiety issues benefit from a combination treatment that incorporates psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" and medications. Talk therapy is a type of treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you how to think and react so that you can feel less anxious. Medications such as antianxiety drugs beta-blockers, certain antidepressants, and beta-blockers can help you manage your symptoms.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include a persistent feeling of anxiety, tension in the muscles and difficulty in concentrating. Certain people also experience symptoms such as breathlessness, trembling and dizziness. An individual suffering from an anxiety disorder will avoid situations or activities that make them anxious. This type of avoidance could be very frustrating for a person and can lead to other problems such as poor work performance and relationships.
Children are prone to anxiety, but children usually outgrow their fears and anxieties as they grow up. Anxiety disorders are more frequent in adults who continue to experience anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety disorders can be treated, but you must be patient and willing to seek assistance. It takes time to find the right combination of treatments that be effective for you. The reward is a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. Getting treatment early is key since anxiety can become worse in time if not treated. You can overcome this issue and live the life you want by receiving the proper treatment and care. Check out our Anxiety Resource page for more information on finding the right treatment.