What You Need to Know About Treating Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are characterized by feelings of intense worry and fear that interfere with daily life, last for weeks or months and are out of proportion to the situation. These feelings can cause symptoms that include a racing heart, butterflies in the stomach or sweaty palms.

People who experience anxiety are not alone; one in four adults will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Although occasional anxiety is normal, when it begins to interfere with your day-to-day activities or causes you physical symptoms such as shaking, chest pain or numbness, you may need help.

If your doctor suspects you have an anxiety disorder, they will probably run tests to rule out other health problems that could be causing your symptoms. After that, you’ll meet with a psychologist or psychiatrist who will ask questions and use tools to make a diagnosis.

There are different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety and panic disorder. Each has its own symptoms, but all can be treated with psychotherapy, medication and/or a combination of these three.

Treatment for anxiety can be successful if you work with a mental health professional and follow their advice to help you feel better. There are also some strategies you can try to cope with your anxiety without medications, such as mindfulness or meditation and yoga.

Medication can treat your anxiety if it is causing problems in your life and you need more immediate relief than therapy or self-help methods. However, medication is not a cure for anxiety and it may come with side effects.

Non-drug therapies, such as exercise and worry busting strategies, can be just as effective at reducing the severity of your symptoms, but they have less side effects. These techniques can also be used for a longer time than medications.

When deciding whether or not to take medication, talk with your health care provider about the pros and cons of each treatment. They can help you decide if medication is the best choice for you, and they will monitor your condition to ensure you are getting the maximum benefit.

Psychotherapy and medication can help you overcome your anxiety by teaching you new ways of thinking and behaving. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of psychotherapy that teaches you to identify and change your thoughts and behaviors that lead to your anxiety.

Another type of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, which is a technique that helps you confront your fears and build coping skills. It teaches you to deal with your fears in a safe environment so you can learn to overcome them.

Some medications, such as beta-blockers that are used for high blood pressure, can control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as rapid heart rate or trembling. Other types of medicines, such as antidepressants, are also used to help relieve some of the more common symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety is caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, personality traits, life history and a chemical imbalance that can affect your mood. It can also be triggered by stressful or traumatic events.