The National Institute of Mental Health identifies five major types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia. The type of treatment provided to an individual by a mental health professional depends on the specific diagnosis and the preference of the individual. While many forms of treatments exist, several have been found effective in the treatment of anxiety through scientific research.
Medication
The Mayo Clinic identifies several classes of medications found effective in the treatment of anxiety. Examples include antidepressants, which affect certain brain chemicals thought to play a role in the development of anxiety; buspirone; and benzodiazepines, a class of drugs consisting of sedatives. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that these drugs do not cure anxiety but may help to control symptoms. Psychologists Bernad Bloom, Kenneth Yeager and Albert Robert write in the book chapter “Evidence-Based Practice with Anxiety Disorders” that psychologically based treatments for anxiety add to the effectiveness of medication-based treatments.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
According to the Mayo Clinic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common types of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders. Bloom, Yeager and Robert write that cognitive behavioral treatment often includes providing information and education; body management skills, such as relaxation techniques; cognitive restructuring, involving understanding of problem thinking in the cause of anxiety; exposure to situations that induce feelings of anxiety; and homework assignments. These psychologists write that the research indicates that brief CBT may offer the same benefits as more long-term CBT.
Interpersonally Oriented Psychodynamic Therapy
Bloom, Yeager and Robert indicate that this form of therapy has been found effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. The treatment involves an increase in understanding of anxiety symptoms as stemming from conflict with other people and conflicts inside an individual’s own mind. After treatment, according to the authors, the majority of individuals reported decreases in conflict with other people and less problems with anxiety.
Exposure Orientated
Karen Calhoun and Patricia Resick, both psychologists, write in the “Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders” that exposure techniques appear effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias and other anxiety problems. The authors go on to describe that this form of treatment involves exposure, either in-person or through imagery, to feared items, such as spiders or situations, enclosure in a small room, or imaging a traumatic event. Individuals are taught relaxation techniques that are used during the exposure exercises. Through repetitive exposure, while using relaxation techniques, anxiety often diminishes.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Resick and Calhoun indicate that cognitive processing therapy (CPT) shows effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD as well. This form of treatment combines an exposure-based approach with CBT. The cognitive portion of the treatment works to challenge problem thoughts that develop as a result of exposure to a traumatic event. The authors describe that homework is provided between each session. Therefore, much of the work in CPT occurs in-between meetings with a mental health professional.
References
- “Clinical Handbook Of Psychological Disorders”; Timothy A. Brown, Psy.D., Tracy A. O’Leary, Ph.D., and David H. Barlow, Ph D.; 2001
- “Evidence-Based Practice Manual” Albert R. Roberts, Ph.D. and Kenneth R. Yeager, Ph.D. (Eds.); 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Anxiety
- National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
