The Blanchard Institute
Anxiety Treatment
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About Anxiety Treatment
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably experienced a bit of anxiety at some point in your life. Maybe it was just a little bit of nervousness before giving a speech or presentation or performance, or maybe it was something more severe.
We all know what it feels like to have our heart race and our hands tremble when we’re faced with something that makes us nervous. But for some people, anxiety is more than a fleeting emotion—it’s a chronic condition that can seriously impact their lives. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 18% of U.S. adults (that’s 40 million people!). Yet despite how common they are, many people still don’t understand how to identify an anxiety disorder or what treatments are available for these disorders.
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about anxiety treatment—from the different kinds of anxiety disorders and symptoms they cause to ways you can manage your symptoms at home and get help from professionals if necessary.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease. It can be caused by a variety of things, including stress, feelings of loss or failure, and the presence of a threat. Anxiety symptoms can include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, chest pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs, and muscle tension. Anxiety can be a symptom of an existing condition (like depression), but it can also be caused by other factors such as caffeine consumption or stress at work.
Many people experience anxiety from time to time—it’s completely normal! But if you find yourself struggling with severe symptoms that interfere with your daily life (such as missing work/school/social events), then it’s time to take action and seek some form of anxiety treatment.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be very serious and debilitating. It’s important to understand what symptoms you may be experiencing if you have an anxiety disorder, so that you can get the treatment you need.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD have trouble controlling their worry. They may feel like they’re constantly on edge and are always expecting the worst to happen. They might find themselves getting stressed out over things that most people wouldn’t even think twice about, like waiting in long lines or when there are delays in their commute home from work.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
People with social anxiety disorder fear being judged by others or being embarrassed in front of other people. They tend to avoid public situations where there will be a lot of people, such as parties or group gatherings at work. This can make it hard for them to form friendships or romantic relationships as well as advance their career goals because they feel too nervous to network or speak up during meetings at work!
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a condition in which people experience panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear or discomfort that usually peaks within 10 minutes. Panic attacks can be very frightening, but they aren’t dangerous. People with panic disorder worry about when and where their next attack will happen and how long it will last. They may also worry about the implications of having an attack (like losing control or going crazy).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Social phobia is an intense fear of being judged and evaluated by others and can be debilitating. People with social phobia have a hard time interacting with others because they’re afraid of embarrassing themselves or being criticized. They often feel isolated, depressed and anxious about the way people judge them.
Treatments for Anxiety
When you’re suffering from anxiety, it can feel like there’s no help for you. But in reality, there are many different treatments out there that can help you with your anxiety. However, some of these treatments are better than others, and it’s important to understand which ones will work best for you.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common anxiety treatment options and see how they stack up against each other:
Psychotherapy
This involves meeting with a therapist to talk about your feelings and thoughts about your anxiety issues. It can be helpful for people who have never had therapy before or who need extra support in order to move past their issues with anxiety.
Medication
Medications are sometimes prescribed by doctors to help reduce symptoms of anxiety. There are many types of medications available depending on what type of medication works best for you; however, it’s important to talk with a doctor before taking any medications so that they can determine which one is right for you!
Exercise
Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress levels and relieve tension in the body; therefore, exercising regularly can help prevent symptoms of anxiety from occurring again in the future. If possible, try exercising outdoors where nature surrounds you and a person can feel the sun’s warmth on their skin. This can help you to relax and enjoy yourself more than if you were exercising indoors.
Counseling
Counseling is another important way to manage your anxiety symptoms. A counselor can help you identify the root cause of your anxiety and learn strategies for coping with it. While there are many types of therapy available, some of the most effective include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns; relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises; and exposure-based therapies, which involve gradually exposing yourself to situations that trigger your anxiety so that they no longer elicit a strong response from you.
Maintaining a Support Network
Social support can also help you manage your anxiety. Having friends and family members who are available for conversation and advice when you’re feeling anxious can be very helpful. If you have a therapist, he or she may be able to connect you with other people in your community who have similar problems. Joining an online support group is another option; you can find one by looking for anxiety support groups on social media or in the “Meetups” section of your city’s website. Alternatively, you can take advantage of on-on-one tele therapy from Keys To Tranquility. This is a great way to build a support network and get professional guidance from the comfort of your own home.
Managing Triggers
Managing triggers is another important part of anxiety treatment. This means understanding what causes your symptoms and learning ways to avoid or manage those triggers. For example, if you realize that certain situations cause you to feel anxious, such as being around crowds or speaking in front of others, then avoiding those situations may be helpful.
Conclusion
Overall, anxiety is a very common condition. It’s important to remember that you aren’t alone and that there are many effective treatments for anxiety. If you or someone you love is struggling with the symptoms of anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional or contact us The Blanchard Institute to schedule a visit and begin your anxiety treatment.
Anxiety Treatment FAQ’s
What Helps To Calm Anxiety?
Try these when you’re feeling anxious or stressed:
- Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head.
- Eat well-balanced meals. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
- Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.
- Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below.
- Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly.
- Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.
- Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn’t possible, be proud of however close you get.
- Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think?
How Effective Is Anxiety Treatment?
Anxiety disorders are very treatable and anxiety treatment can be highly effective for those suffering. Most patients who deal with anxiety are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several (or fewer) months of psychotherapy, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions.
What if I have side effects from my medication?
Contact your physician if you experience side effects, even if you are not sure a symptom is caused by a medication. Do not stop taking a medication without consulting with the prescribing physician; abrupt discontinuation may cause other health risks.
Medications will work only if they are taken according the explicit instructions of your physician, but they may not resolve all symptoms of an anxiety disorder
What is the best way to treat children with anxiety disorders?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are effective in treating children with anxiety disorders. Recent research found that a combination of CBT and an antidepressant worked better for children ages 7-17 than either treatment alone.
Because one child may respond better, or sooner, to a particular treatment than another child with the same diagnosis, it’s important to discuss with your doctor or therapist how to decide which treatment works best for your child and family lifestyle.