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Treatment of Anxiety DisordersAnxiety can destroy the life of a person by making people feel depressed and exhausted. Worry can keep people from engaging with others, reinforcing their misguided sense of danger and thus creating an atmosphere of isolation.Treatment for anxiety can include psychotherapy, medications, and exercise. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam.MedicationsAnxiety disorders result of anxiety that lasts for too long or causes disruption to daily activities. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. While medications can alleviate the symptoms, they do not treat anxiety disorders. Therefore, they need to be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other lifestyle modifications.The medications that are typically prescribed for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance within the brain that causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body’s reaction to anxiety. They are also addictive, and therefore are not recommended for use over the long term.Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, help to reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. They also block brain receptors that absorb serotonin which allows more of the mood-enhancing chemical to move around. This reduces anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. SSRIs have a great safety record, and are widely available and are effective for most people. Cons: Some patients might have side effects, such as dry mouth dizziness, dry mouth and drowsiness.Other psychiatric drugs, such as propranolol, can also be helpful for anxiety symptoms. These drugs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions however, doctors can prescribe them “off-label” to treat anxiety. They are used to decrease the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. They can also trigger side effects such as orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up) as well as bradycardia (slower than normal heart rate) and sedation.Change pills to treat anxiety and ensuring you get enough exercise can ease anxiety. Relaxing activities like meditation and yoga can also help ease anxiety. Additionally, there are mind-body treatments that can help ease anxiety, including Tai chi and acupuncture. Talk to your doctor about what options might be suitable for you.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that is based on scientific research that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It works on the principle that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all interconnected and that negative patterns can lead you into the cycle of. CBT teaches how to identify negative thought patterns and implement strategies to control them. It also teaches you to control your reactions to anxiety-provoking situations and to develop strategies for coping.In the first sessions in the first session, a therapist will usually perform an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires or conducting an interview or even supplying written material. This will help them understand your specific disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also help determine whether your current treatments are working. They will also utilize the assessment to determine whether they can build a therapeutic relationship with you.CBT is typically short-term and can last for 20 or less sessions. During these sessions, you will see your therapist at least every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will instruct you on various self-help methods that include how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also help you learn coping skills including how to relax your body and relax your mind.Your therapist may also give you different tools, like therapy worksheets that will assist you in identifying your symptoms and triggers. They will assist you in working through your anxiety in small steps, so that the process seems less daunting. If you are scared of social situations, your therapist could have you role-play with them, and then move on to talking to family or friends.CBT also involves behavioural studies. It helps you to challenge your irrational predictions of catastrophe by proving them. If you’re worried that something terrible will occur to you if you leave your home You can perform a behavioural test by making predictions. For instance, “If I go for dinner, I’ll contract food poisoning.” Then, you can record whether or not the prediction was correct.HypnotherapyHypnotherapy is a different treatment to medication for anxiety. Hypnosis is used to help people relax, change their perception of their symptoms, and modify their behavior. It can be used to overcome fears. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety however, it can also assist with pain. The effects of hypnosis may last for a long time and the benefits can be felt after just one session.During a hypnosis treatment (or when listening to recordings) the therapist will lead you into a state of trance that is similar to being in a daydream. In this relaxed state you are able to hear the suggestions of your therapist and then respond. They might ask you to imagine a relaxing and safe place and then instruct you to pay close attention to the sensory details that gradually become real. This is known as a ‘deepening state of trance.’ This is the point where you start to notice a difference in the symptoms.Many people find that they notice a change straight away. They might leave the room or open their eyes following an hypnotherapy session and can already feel a shift. This is normal and sometimes it can feel like magic. However, for some people it could take some sessions before they can see any positive changes. This is normal and it is essential to allow the therapy time to be effective.If you’re considering the use of hypnotherapy, it is best to talk to your doctor first. They will be able to answer any concerns you may have regarding hypnotherapy and help you decide on your options. Hypnosis is not offered on the NHS therefore you’ll have to schedule a private session with a trained therapist. These sessions are expensive but they are also more cost-effective than other forms treatment for anxiety.Hypnosis is sometimes used to treat PTSD. This condition is triggered by a traumatizing event such as a car accident or natural disaster, or even war and it causes anxiety, depression and other problems. The signs of PTSD are intrusive memories of night terrors, an increase in anxiety. Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for PTSD, and it’s usually coupled with other types of talking therapies to get the best results.ExerciseExercise may be the best treatment for anxiety. A single vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours, and a consistent routine of physical activity may drastically reduce anxiety symptoms over time.While it is well-documented that regular exercise has health benefits, few studies have focused on the effects it has on anxiety. However, a new study suggests that high intensity exercises are particularly effective for those suffering from anxiety.The researchers in 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 included high or low intensity workouts. They also gave them tips on how they can incorporate exercises into their life. The results were evident for those who were in the high intensity group showed significant improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the lower intensity group.These findings have implications on the use of exercise programmes in general practice. Patients with anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people without the condition. This could be a contributing factor to their mental health problems. Research has shown that people who are physically active are less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder than those who are sedentary.Exercise has a positive impact on mental health. It boosts the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and others. It can also improve sleep and boost self-esteem. However, the benefits of exercise are more extensive: studies have shown that it is more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.A recent meta-analysis conducted by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies which compared groups who exercised against those who did not exercise. Each study reported a reduction in anxiety. The researchers restricted their analyses to trials involving participants with a formal diagnosis of anxiety disorder. It is clear that more research is required to determine if exercise can be an effective option for people with clinically elevated anxiety levels.