There are many forms of anxiety disorders that have specific labels and specific criteria for diagnosis in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," but a person can be given a diagnosis of anxiety disorder even if her symptoms do not entirely match a specific form of anxiety. This person would be given a diagnosis of anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, or NOS. Treatments for anxiety disorder NOS will generally be determined based on the needs of the individual.
Basics
Anxiety disorders are generally treated through a combination of medication management and psychotherapy. Treatments for anxiety disorders can vary in length depending on the severity of the anxiety, the contributing factors and the personality of the individual afflicted; generally psychotherapy will last anywhere from a few months to longer than a year, notes the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, or ADAA.
Efficacy
Many of the standardized approaches to treatment have demonstrated their effectiveness over time despite the individualization that takes place during treatment, notes the ADAA. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy seem to be the most effective approaches to treating a variety of anxiety disorders, notes HelpGuide.org.
Types
There are a number of different non-pharmaceutical therapies for anxiety disorders. Some focus on the specific symptoms displayed in the anxiety disorder. The ADAA suggests several forms of effective therapy including: cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing the thinking patterns that induce anxiety; exposure therapy, which helps a person overcome his fears or anxieties about something by gradually exposing him to the stimuli in a safe environment; dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps a person learn ways to deal with stress and control his emotions; and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, in which the eye movements experienced during REM, or rapid eye movement, sleep are induced causing a person to see anxiety-provoking occurrences in less distressing ways.
Significance
Medication can play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders. While medication will not help a person learn new ways of thinking or coping with anxiety, it can reduce the symptoms of anxiety while a person is taking it. The downside of medication is that once it is stopped, the symptoms are likely to return. According to HelpGuide.org, benzodiazepines quickly and effectively reduce anxiety, such as with panic attacks, but long-term use can lead to depression and even thoughts of suicide. Other drugs used to treat anxiety disorders include antidepressants and buspirone, which is a mild tranquilizer, notes HelpGuide.org.
Considerations
When undergoing treatment for an anxiety disorder, it is important for a person to remember that finding a therapist who meets her needs and makes her feel comfortable is an essential part of the treatment process. Chances are that a person will have to go through a couple of therapists before she finds the one she feels can benefit her the most. A doctor can provide you with a list of local therapists to meet with. Therapists understand when a person chooses to work with another mental health professional over them.
