A New Crossroad

Anxiety Treatment

What is Anxiety and How Can It Be Treated?

Anxiety is an everyday part of human life. This disorder can cause excessive, persistent, and severe worry and fear in everyday settings. Anxiety disorders can often be described as a series of panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of extreme anxiety and fear that escalate quickly to the point you may not feel in control of your emotions or your body.

Anxiety and panic can interfere with your daily activities, can be difficult to manage, and can last for extended periods of time. To avoid these feelings, you may try to avoid certain places and situations that could trigger a negative response. Symptoms can begin in childhood, teen years, and may continue into adulthood.

Anxiety disorders can include generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder (social anxiety phobia), as well as specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder, and other forms such like specific phobias. Multiple anxiety disorders can be present. Sometimes anxiety is caused by a medical condition that requires treatment.

No matter what type of anxiety you may have, there are ways to help.

How Can We Help?

What Causes Anxiety?

It’s somewhat uncertain as to exactly what causes Anxiety Disorders. But we do know they can be triggered by life experiences, such as trauma. It is possible to have inherited traits as well.

Anxiety can also be caused by an underlying medical condition and your doctor may recommend testing to determine if you have anxiety, and could benefit from Anxiety Treatment.

Anxiety Disorder can also be associated with other medical conditions such as:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism, a thyroid problem, can be caused by the body.
Respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), can include asthma.
Use of drugs for drug misuse or withdrawal
Reduction of alcohol, anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepines), or other drugs
Chronic pain or irritable stool syndrome
Rare tumors can produce certain fight-or flight hormones

Some medications can cause anxiety if:

There are no blood relatives (such a parent or sibling with an anxiety disorder) that you don’t know
As a child, you didn’t suffer from an anxiety disorder
Anxiety can cause you to avoid certain situations or things
An anxiety attack suddenly occurs. It is not related to any life events

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to breathe, sleep, concentrate, stay still, or even stay awake. The type of anxiety disorder that you have will determine the symptoms.

These are the most common symptoms:

Fear and anxiety are two sides of the same coin
Feelings that you are in danger, doom or panic
Sleep problems
Being unable to remain calm and still
You feel cold, sweaty, numb or tingling feet or hands.
Breathing difficulties
Hyperventilation is a faster breathing speed and greater efficiency than normal.
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth
Nausea
Tensed muscles
Dizziness
You think about the same problem over and over, but you are unable to stop thinking about it (rumination).
Inability to focus
Avoiding feared objects and places with intense or obsessive avoidance

Anxiety Treatment Options

Anxiety disorder symptoms can be managed with many treatment options. People with anxiety disorder usually take medication and seek counseling. There are several treatments for anxiety disorders:

Treatment There are many types of medications that can be used to treat anxiety disorders. Discuss the pros and cons with your psychiatrist to determine which medicine is right for you.

Antidepressants: SSRIs and SNRIs are often prescribed first to people with anxiety disorders. Prozac and Lexapro are two examples of SSRIs. SNRIs include Cymbalta, Effexor and others.
Bupropion: This antidepressant is also used to treat anxiety and chronic pain. It is different from SSRIs or SNRIs.
There are also monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclics. These are not as commonly used as they can cause side effects such drops in blood pressure and blurry vision.
Benzodiazepines: If you have persistent anxiety or panic attacks, your doctor might prescribe one of these medications. They can lower anxiety. Klonopin and Xanax are two examples. These medications can be addictive, even though they work quickly. They are meant to be used as an adjunct to treatment for anxiety disorders. You shouldn’t use them for too long.
Beta-blockers: If you experience anxiety symptoms such as racing heart, shaking, or trembling, this type of medication can help. Beta-blockers can help with anxiety attacks.
Anticonvulsants: These drugs are used to prevent seizures in epilepsy patients. They also relieve anxiety disorder symptoms.
Antipsychotics: Lower doses can be used to make other treatments more effective.
Buspirone: This anti anxiety drug can sometimes be used to treat chronic anxiousness. It will take a few weeks to see full relief.
Psychotherapy: This type of counseling helps you understand how your emotions influence your behavior. Sometimes it’s called talk therapy. An experienced mental health specialist will listen to your thoughts and feelings, and suggest ways to manage them.
Cognitive behavior therapy: This type of psychotherapy is a common one. It teaches you how turn your negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. Without anxiety, you’ll learn how to approach fearful and worrying situations with care. You may also find CBT sessions for your family.

Prevention

Although it is impossible to predict what will lead to anxiety disorders, you can reduce symptoms by taking steps if you are anxious.

Seek help immediately Anxiety can be more difficult to treat than many other mental illnesses. Talk to a doctor today!
Be active Do things that make you happy. Social interaction and caring relationships can help you to lessen your worries.
Avoid drinking or using drugs Anxiety can be worsened by alcohol and drug abuse. Quitting any of these substances can cause anxiety. You can seek help from a support group or your doctor if you are unable to quit.

Find Anxiety Treatment Options

A New Crossroad offers personalized medication assisted treatment programs for Anxiety treatment. Contact our team of substance abuse and mental health treatment professionals today to schedule your consultation with us!