Anxiety Center

Anxiety Center - How to Treat Anxiety Disorders

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When it comes to treating someone with an anxiety disorder, you first need to accurately determine the type of anxiety that is causing the suffering.  The treatment may combine various methods of care.
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If you want to know what to do to treat such disorders, check out these methods from our Anxiety Center.

1. Getting Counseling and Therapy
A standard treatment for anxiety disorders, as well as most mental illnesses, involve psychological counseling and therapy.
 
One of the common types of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the patient recognize and change harmful thought patterns which trigger anxiety, along with other troubling feelings. It helps to change the scale and intensity of one's reactions to triggers and stressors.
 
Therapy helps patients manage the way their mind and body would react when facing stressful situations.
  
2. Prescription Medications
There are different kinds of medications to help treat anxiety disorders. 

• SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) are the most common class of anxiety medication used.  They are also considered anti-depressants.
• Cardiac medications like beta-blockers and alpha agonists can reduce symptoms in our physical body which provides calming feedback to our brain.
• Buspirone is a unique 5-HT1A agonist that can reduce stress feelings
• Benzodiazepines, while potentially addictive, can assist in the early stages of anxiety to promote faster results and improve sleep.

 
Make sure that you get a prescription from your healthcare provider and take only the advised dosage. 
 
3. Self-Treatment and Having a Support System
Some patients with anxiety disorders may be able to reduce their symptoms without the need for clinical supervision. 
 
•  Stress management is very helpful in preventing and limiting potential triggers. This can include managing deadlines, keeping a sustainable schedule, and organizing your tasks.
• Relaxation techniques reduce the symptoms of anxiety.  Some relaxation techniques are taking warm baths,  deep-breathing exercises, and meditation.
•    Having a support network is extremely helpful and effective to avoid suppressing anxious feelings.
•   Exercise often.  Exercise can help release positive neurotransmitters for better emotions and coping. 
•  Visualization techniques can replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.  Imagine conquering fears or achieving your goals before difficult tasks.
 
Wrapping It Up
If you or someone you know may suffer from a mental health disorder, don’t be afraid to reach out to organizations such as Your Family Psychiatrist's Anxiety Center in Houston now.