Dealing With Anxiety Disorders
Occasional anxiety is normal, but chronic anxiety and fear that interfere with daily life should be addressed. Doctors can prescribe talk therapy and medications to ease the anxiety.
The most popular therapies are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques and exposure therapy. There is also a variety of medications that treat anxiety symptoms, such as modern antidepressants.
Treatment
Stress can make you feel anxious or afraid at times. However, anxiety disorders can cause persistent and excessive feelings of worry or fear that are often insignificant to the circumstance. They can also interfere in a person's everyday activities and relationships. Certain medications can alleviate some of the symptoms. To fully recover, patients must learn healthier ways to manage and deal with their anxiety.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders can seek treatment from a medical care specialist or psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental health), psychologist, social worker or counselor. Health care providers will inquire about the symptoms and medical history, and may perform an examination. They may also conduct laboratory tests to rule out other illnesses that might be responsible for the symptoms.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are two treatment options for anxiety disorders. The kind of therapy and duration of treatment will depend on the specific disorder the severity of the disorder, as well as the length of time a person has been suffering from it. The most common form of talk therapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. This method helps people recognize negative patterns of thinking and alter them. It also helps people learn to use relaxation techniques and exposure reactions to reduce anxiety.
panic anxiety disorder (IPT) is a different kind of therapy for talk that can be utilized to treat anxiety. This approach is useful for people who have anxiety related to their relationships, including social anxiety disorder and fears. Therapy for interpersonal relationships can help people discover healthy ways to express emotions and improve communication with others.
Medications that can help relieve some anxiety symptoms include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and beta blockers. A health care provider will prescribe the most effective medication for the patient's condition and will discuss any the potential side effects. Patients should not stop taking prescribed medications unless they are instructed to take them off by their doctor. In some cases, sudden discontinuation of certain medications could trigger withdrawal symptoms, including brain zaps, which feel like shocks.
Yoga, meditation stress reduction, good sleep habits are all alternative treatments for anxiety. Additionally, those suffering from anxiety can benefit from joining a group of support for people with the same issue that can provide empathy understanding, empathy and shared experiences. It is also recommended to stay away from any other stimulants that can make anxiety symptoms worse. It is also important to get enough sleep and eat healthy and balanced meals. Regular exercise and time spent in the company of friends can ease stress.
Symptoms
People may feel anxious at times for instance, when beginning a new job, or taking tests. But when anxiety doesn't go away and becomes a problem in daily life, it's a sign that assistance is needed. Anxiety disorders include anxiety and panic that are not proportional to the actual risk they are extremely difficult to control and last a long time. People suffering from anxiety disorders might even begin to avoid certain situations or places that may trigger their symptoms.
People suffering from anxiety disorders typically undergo therapy and take medication or counseling. The most popular treatment for anxiety disorders is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT assists people in identifying and change the habits or thoughts that contribute to their symptoms.
Other medications can also ease anxiety symptoms. Beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure) can, for example help reduce the heartbeats that are fast and other physical signs associated with anxiety. Antidepressants, often prescribed to treat depression, can also help with anxiety. Examples include SSRIs such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and SNRIs such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor). Some people who suffer from anxiety may benefit from benzodiazepines. However, they can cause serious side effects and are addictive. Examples are diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
Education is also crucial to aid in recovery. For example, learning about the physiology of the "flight-or-fight" response that is normal and helps us deal with perceived or real threats, can help dispel misconceptions that can cause anxiety. It's also helpful to understand that some medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism and heart disease can cause anxiety symptoms. Patients suffering from these conditions should undergo an extensive physical exam to rule out such issues.
Healthy eating, lots of sleep and being active can all help reduce anxiety symptoms. Avoiding alcohol and recreational street drugs is a good idea, because they can cause a flare-up. Smoking can make the condition worse. Talking to friends and family members in person, either face to face as well as through online support groups, can help too.
Diagnosis
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times - they are normal human emotions that can help us cope with danger. However, if these feelings become chronic and constant that they stop people from living a fulfilling life it could be the right time to seek professional help. A doctor or mental health expert can determine if suffer from an anxiety disorder and suggest treatment.
A healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and will conduct a physical examination to diagnose anxiety disorders. He or she will want to know when your anxiety symptoms started and how long they've lasted and how severe they are. A doctor may be able to inquire about whether your symptoms have impacted your daily routine. Many mental health issues, such as depression or post-traumatic disorder, occur in conjunction with anxiety disorders. A doctor may inquire about any other mental health issues you've had to deal with.
There is no single test that can identify an anxiety disorder. A medical professional can exclude other causes of symptoms by performing the test of blood or urine and asking you about your family history. A mental health professional can utilize questionnaires and tests that are standard to determine your anxiety level and establish a diagnosis.
The majority of people diagnosed with anxiety disorder s benefit from the combination of psychotherapy, also known as "talk therapy" and medication. Talk therapy is one type of treatment known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you learn a new way to react, think and act in order to be less stressed. Beta-blockers, anxiety medications, and certain antidepressants can all be effective in reducing your symptoms.
The signs of anxiety include a constant feeling of anxiety, tension in the muscles and difficulty concentration. People might also experience symptoms such as breathlessness, trembling, and dizziness. A person suffering from anxiety disorder will avoid situations or activities that make them anxious. This type of avoidance could be extremely stressful for someone and could lead to other problems like a poor performance at work and relationships.
Anxiety is normal in children, but children usually outgrow their fears and anxieties as they get older. Individuals who suffer from anxiety symptoms as adults are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders can be treated but you must be patient and willing to seek help. Finding the right combination of treatment that works for you takes time. The result is a healthy and satisfying life. Getting treatment early is key since anxiety can become worse in time if not addressed. With the proper care and treatment, you will be able to overcome this condition. Visit our Anxiety Resource page for more information about finding the best treatment.