Anxiety refers to feelings of tension and worry associated with specific situations. Anxiety is often an appropriate response to threats that helps us focus and take necessary actions, but can become harmful when it becomes disordered.
Anxiety disorders are usually treated using medication or psychotherapy – or sometimes both together – so speaking to your healthcare provider about which approach would best serve your needs is recommended.
Medications
Medication may help alleviate anxiety symptoms so you can perform better and live an enjoyable daily life. There are various types of anxiety medication, each tailored specifically for various symptoms.
Antidepressants are one of the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety. They work by increasing serotonin levels in your brain – an antidepressant chemical which regulates mood naturally. Examples of medications used to treat anxiety include Lexapro (Lexapro), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), and Venlafaxine Extended Release (Effexor XR).
Some medications for anxiety work by blocking norepinephrine action in the brain, reducing physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeats, trembling voices, sweating, dizziness and shaking hands. Beta blockers may be prescribed to treat certain forms of anxiety.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is an approach to mental health treatment that can assist individuals in managing anxiety and other related conditions. Psychotherapy may be used alone or alongside medications depending on its intensity and the symptoms present.
Psychotherapy aims to alter how you perceive things and life itself, with cognitive behavioral therapy as one form of approach used to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more productive, positive ones.
Schema therapy, based on the belief that certain thought patterns are the source of many anxiety disorders, may also prove effective for treating trauma-related anxiety conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Finding a qualified and experienced therapist who can address the symptoms and diagnosis that apply specifically to you is of utmost importance. Communicating openly and honestly with them will allow them to better assist with treating their specific needs, which could take several sessions until you feel comfortable talking about your feelings openly with them.
Relaxation techniques
Regularly practicing relaxation techniques for anxiety can reduce stress, enhance your ability to cope with anxiety attacks, and potentially decrease medication requirements. They’re especially useful if other forms of therapy have not helped and your anxiety continues to worsen.
Relaxation techniques for anxiety include progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, relaxation imagery and breathing exercises that can be done either at home or with a therapist’s office.
These exercises can assist in teaching you to identify physical signs that indicate when you’re becoming anxious or tense and help you to relax more effectively when they do occur. They’re also beneficial if you’re feeling low or depressed as they help reduce stress levels and restore energy reserves.
As with all treatments, practicing meditation techniques regularly is key for its benefits to take effect and build your confidence in using them. Doing this regularly will increase the results and help to develop more confidence when using them.
Family therapy
Family therapy is a wonderful way for you and your family to address stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns together. It allows you to strengthen relationships while reconnecting with loved ones who may have become distant over time.
Family therapy sessions usually last an hour each and take place once weekly. All members of the family will participate simultaneously and children may also join.
Family therapy can provide great assistance during times of transition, such as divorce or the loss of a child, as well as when one or more members experience mental illness or substance use disorders.
Family therapy often includes cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to address underlying problems by getting to their core. Such techniques might include homework assignments and specific behavioral programs assigned by a therapist to each family member.