Most people feel anxious from time to time. Anxiety is part of everyday life, and, in most cases, people can learn to manage it.
However, some people experience overwhelming anxiety that interferes with their ability to cope. People with anxiety disorders may experience persistent anxiety, intense anxiety in certain situations, or other symptoms that impact their daily lives.
This article will explore anxiety disorders and how people treat them. You will learn:
- What anxiety is
- Different types of anxiety disorders
- What to expect from anxiety treatment
- The different treatment options for anxiety disorders
- Where to find comprehensive treatment for anxiety
If you or someone you love struggles with symptoms of an anxiety disorder, you are not alone. Find compassionate, effective treatment at Agape Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
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ToggleWhat is Anxiety?
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines anxiety as “feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” Anxiety is not the same as fear. Mental health experts characterize it as a long-term, broad worry about the future. Fear is a short-term response to an identifiable threat.
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions. These conditions can cause disruptive, distressing symptoms that impact daily functioning and quality of life. People with anxiety disorders may:
- Feel unable to control their reactions in specific situations
- Struggle to manage daily responsibilities
- Have overwhelming responses to triggering objects, situations, and more
Anxiety disorders are common in the United States. Surveys suggest around 40 million adults in the US have an anxiety disorder.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are many types of anxiety disorders. Here is a brief overview of common types of anxiety disorders.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized disorders may experience chronic anxiety without an identifiable cause. People may feel very anxious in everyday situations or become easily overwhelmed by their responsibilities. People with GAD may struggle socially, have impaired work performance, and face other challenges related to their functioning.
Panic disorder
People with panic disorder experience distressing periods of intense anxiety called panic attacks. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a panic attack can cause physical symptoms. These include:
- A choking feeling
- Tightness in the chest and throat
- Racing heart
- Excessive sweating
- Tingling in the hands, arms, and legs
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
People may feel as though they are experiencing a severe medical event during a panic attack. The symptoms can be very distressing but are typically not dangerous.
Phobias
A phobia is an intense anxiety response to a specific stimulus. People may feel intense dread, panic, and anxiety related to an object, situation, or living being. For example, they may react with intense anxiety to seeing or being near a spider. Depending on their phobia, this condition may impact their daily life.
Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about these and other anxiety and mental health disorders.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
It is possible to reduce or manage the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety treatment plans typically include talking therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications.
Talk therapy
Talk therapy provides a safe space for people to talk about their emotions. People can also process experiences and learn new tools to manage anxiety. People with anxiety can work with a therapist to explore the roots of this condition. Then, they can develop healthy coping skills to handle it.
There are many types of talk therapy. People may attend therapy sessions as part of an inpatient mental health program or on an outpatient basis. Support groups, group therapy, and family counseling can also help people effectively manage anxiety.
Some of the most popular therapeutic modalities used to treat anxiety disorders include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Exposure Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Biofeedback Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Art Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
Medications
A doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medication, such as beta-blockers, to help people reduce anxiety symptoms. Medications can temporarily relieve symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy.
Types of medications that may be used to treat anxiety include:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro) help regulate serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Medications like venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) work by increasing both serotonin and norepinephrine levels, which can help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
- Benzodiazepines: Fast-acting medications such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin) are sometimes prescribed for short-term anxiety relief. However, they carry a risk of dependence and are typically used cautiously.
- Beta-Blockers: Medications like propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin) can help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heart rate and trembling, particularly in situations like public speaking or performance anxiety.
- Buspirone: This anti-anxiety medication (brand name BuSpar) is prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and works differently than benzodiazepines, with a lower risk of dependence.
People with anxiety must work with a healthcare provider to find the most effective medication. They must also be aware of the potential for unwanted side effects.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes may help people reduce symptoms of anxiety. Some helpful lifestyle changes include:
- Learning stress-reduction techniques, including mindfulness and breathing exercises
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Reducing caffeine consumption
- Limiting alcohol
- Getting enough sleep
- Taking breaks at work or during other stressful activities
- Journaling
- Staying socially active
Lifestyle changes can have a significant effect on a person’s ability to cope with anxiety. People can integrate these changes into their comprehensive treatment plan.
Find Treatment for Anxiety
If you or someone you love struggles with symptoms of anxiety, you are not alone. It is possible to manage anxiety with comprehensive treatment and support.
Find the treatment and care you need at Agape Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- American Psychological Association: Anxiety
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Anxiety Disorders
- Science Direct: Treatment of anxiety disorders in clinical practice: a critical overview of recent systematic evidence
- Psychiatry Online: Pharmacotherapy for Anxiety Disorders: From First-Line Options to Treatment Resistance