Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders

Posted by Rob A on July 22nd, 2019

When anxiety gets out of control resulting in panic attacks and disruption of normal activities, it’s time to get help. Anxiety is a debilitating disorder that causes a range of symptoms, and can severely impact your quality of life. There are numerous treatment options for anxiety disorders, depending on your symptoms and co-existing conditions. Experienced healthcare providers at an anxiety disorders treatment center can suggest the best treatment options for you after comprehensive assessment of your condition. If you or a loved one suffers from an anxiety problem, keep reading to learn about effective therapy options that can help alleviate this mental health condition.

Self-Treatment

Self-treatment is usually the first line of treatment for most anxiety sufferers, and can be done without clinical supervision. Stress is a major trigger that can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, and needs to be kept under check. Keeping tasks organized and taking on only what you can handle are solid ways to keep stress levels under control. Regular physical exercise for up to 30 minutes daily can help with anxiety. Yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques are recommended to help in the battle against anxiety.

Counseling and Behavioral Therapy

If self-care is not helping you overcome anxiety symptoms, your doctor may suggest psychological counseling and therapy, which is the standard treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves therapy and counseling, allowing patients to recognize and alter the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety symptoms.

Psychotherapy is another treatment option where a mental health specialist counsels patients, and investigates situations that spark anxiety and panic. The mental health expert then provides coping mechanisms, helping patients overcome their fears and worries.

Exposure Therapy aims to treat anxiety from the root by exposing patients to their fears in a safe, controlled environment. The end goal of this treatment method is to remove the actual fear that triggers panic attacks. Doctors used this method to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), phobias, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Virtual reality or computer simulations are used to re-create the trigger environment in a safe method of exposure.

Medication

Medication is often used to manage and ease symptoms of anxiety, panic, and depression. Tricyclics, Benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, etc. are commonly used drugs that are used to treat anxiety disorders. While these medications are effective against anxiety symptoms, they often cause unwanted side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and possible dependency. Anxiety medication must always be administered by a qualified healthcare professional, and any adverse side effects must be immediately reported.

Anxiety disorders are treatable, however it may take a while before the treatment takes effect. It’s therefore important to be in constant touch with your healthcare provider to know what treatment line works best for you. Get in touch with an anxiety disorders treatment center to kick start your treatment towards conquering this condition.