Different Types of Anxiety Therapy
ByWhen your anxiety problem begins to control your life, and self-help is unsuccessful, you need to seek anxiety therapy. There are several options for those needing this type of therapy, a few of them are explained below.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
The term Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy in which it is believed that what we think rather than what is going on around us is the reason we have anxiety. It refers to a number of different types of anxiety psychotherapy. While other types of psychotherapy will continue for as long as the doctor thinks it is necessary this type is only done for a specified amount of time and thus is said to get results faster.
The goal of this approach in anxiety therapy is to change the way the patient thinks about the object of his or her anxiety or other disorder. For example if a person is afraid of heights, it may be that the patient is afraid of falling even when there is no danger of falling. In this case, the therapist would convince him or her they were in no danger from being in a high place unless of course it was in a situation where there was real danger.
In the case of anxiety therapy, CBT works to dispel the fears of the patient. For instance, when ongoing panic attacks are brought on by certain fears, these fears are discussed with the patient. Relaxation techniques are also used such as breathing exercises. Medications are sometimes used as well as rationalization about any fears that may be a factor in the panic attacks. Both of these approaches can be an effective panic attack treatment.
Medications and Anxiety Therapy
Medications are sometimes given, especially in the case of severe panic attacks. There are several other reasons in which medications are prescribed.
Sometimes antidepressants are given in anxiety therapy when clinical depression is linked to anxiety disorders. It is helpful in certain cases because treating the depression helps to relieve the anxiety.
Beta-Blockers are normally given to heart patients. In the case of anxiety attacks they may be used to treat the physical problems associated with it, such as accelerated heartbeat, shaking, and sweating.
Medicines have been developed for the sole purpose of using in anxiety therapy. BuSpar is used for GAD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is used in chronic cases as it normally takes two weeks for it to take effect. This medicine needs to be taken daily so it would not be practical for occasional anxiety attacks. In this case, Benzodiazepines would be used as needed as soon as possible when a person is having an attack. The relief is fast and side effects are few, which makes it ideal for an occasional sufferer.
Always follow your doctor’s recommendations as to what medicine to take during your therapy. Consult your doctor before discontinuing any medications. You may believe you are cured but stopping your medication may allow your symptoms to recur.
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