Anxiety disorders are characterized by overwhelming worry and fear, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and restlessness. Other physical symptoms may include nausea, headaches and sweaty palms. Anxiety disorders impact a person's ability to be successful at work or school and to make and maintain positive relationships. Treatment for these disorders varies depending on the specific anxiety disorder, but it entails many similarities.
Basics
The most common forms of treatment for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medication. It's also recommended that people with anxiety disorders make specific lifestyle changes, such as eating healthfully, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and exercising regularly to better handle anxiety and stress.
Treatment Plans
The course of treatment depends on each individual. For example, someone who suffers from severe panic attacks and agoraphobia may refuse to leave her home. That person may need a therapist who's willing to visit the individual's home for therapy, and the person will more than likely need medication. A person who has a mild form of generalized anxiety disorder may only need brief psychotherapy to treat the issue. Therapists and doctors work with clients to form individualized treatment plans.
Types of Medication
Helpguide.org reports that antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medications used to treat anxiety disorders. Most of the time, doctors will prescribe antidepressants, because benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and addictive. The drawback of antidepressants is that they can take up to several weeks to become effective. If someone needs immediate relief or only needs to take the medication when he has a panic attack, benzodiazepines might be the drug of choice.
Types of Psychotherapy
Two common forms of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. With cognitive behavioral therapy, a therapist works with a client to help that person learn how her thoughts affect her emotions and behavior. The therapist challenges the client's negative and irrational thinking and encourages the client to do the same. Exposure therapy is used when a client has a specific phobia, such as a fear of dogs or germs. The therapist teaches the client how to use relaxation techniques when he becomes anxious. Then the therapist gradually introduces the phobia to the client in a safe environment. The client practices the relaxation techniques while exposed to the phobia until she's able to cope with her fears in a reasonable manner.
Considerations
Treatment will vary if the person suffers from more than one mental health disorder. For instance, someone might suffer from depression and anxiety, so the course of treatment might include medication and twice weekly therapy sessions instead of once weekly therapy sessions. If someone is abusing drugs or alcohol and has an anxiety disorder, the conditions will require simultaneous treatment. When there is more than one problem, the treatment intensifies and changes.
