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How is Anxiety Treated? Medication, Therapy, Lifestyle Changes & More

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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.

What 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.

Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans

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:

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:

  1. American Psychological Association: Anxiety
  2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Anxiety Disorders
  3. Science Direct: Treatment of anxiety disorders in clinical practice: a critical overview of recent systematic evidence
  4. Psychiatry Online: Pharmacotherapy for Anxiety Disorders: From First-Line Options to Treatment Resistance

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Sahil Talwar, PA-C, MBA

Sahil Talwar is a physician assistant with over 7 years of experience in emergency, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. He is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. He graduated from South College with his Master’s in Physician Assistant studies in 2015. Sahil has utilized his experience by treating patients in both civilian and military settings. He is a Captain in the Army Reserves and has 15 years of military service. He is the owner of Carolina Psychiatry and Addiction Services.

Sahil specializes in medication assisted treatment. His focus is on helping people who suffer from multiple issues, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD.

Sahil enjoys taking time and listening to better understand what his patients are experiencing. He believes that empathy, respect and trust are integral traits that all providers must possess. He believes in the value of hard work and dedication to overcoming mental illness and will help his patients to achieve their mental health goals.