Treatment For Anxiety Disorder Includes Psychotherapy, Pharmaceutical Therapy And Life Style Changes

It is believed that brain has several types of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters act as communication agents between different brain cells.  Of them, serotonin is said to have a role in modulating anxiety, mood, sleep, appetite and sexuality. These neurotransmitters have immense interconnectivity and their functions rely on a system of checks and balances. If one part fails to work properly, the other parts fail as well. The complex interacting of neurotransmitters or lack of them is believed to cause disorders like anxiety disorder.

Often it happens that many people suffering from anxiety disorder do not realize that they are actually suffering from it because the symptoms are more like that of physical ailments. Consequently, the treatment for anxiety disorder starts much later and by that time, the patient starts developing other phobias, complicating matter still more.

How do you know that you have anxiety disorder? What is anxiety disorder in the first place? The anxiety disorder is actually a blanket term covering several forms of abnormal and pathological fears and anxieties. It can be divided into 8 distinct categories:

1.    Generalized anxiety Disorder

2.    Panic Disorder

3.    Agoraphobia

4.    Social Phobia

5.    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

6.    Specific Phobia

7.    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

8.    Acute Stress Disorder

Of the eight disorders, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are quite similar in nature. They have more or less the same symptoms.

Panic disorder symptoms

1.    Palpitation, pounding hearts

2.    Shortness of breadth

3.    Chest pain or discomfort

4.    Sweating and clammy hands

5.    Shaking

6.    Dizziness

7.    Fear of losing control

8.    Fear of dying

Generalized symptoms

1.    Palpitation, pounding heart

2.    Shortness of breath

3.    Chest pain or discomfort

4.    Sweating

5.    Shaking

6.    Dizziness

7.    Feeling of dread

8.    Irritability, jumpiness, edginess

However, though they are similar, the intensity of the symptoms is more acute in the case of panic disorder than in the case of the general anxiety disorder. The mode of treatment and medication are also similar.

Treatment for anxiety disorder as well as panic disorder consists of psychotherapy and medications. You will gain a lot by undergoing appropriate psychotherapy. As these attacks are results of learning process in the subconscious mind, you can reverse by simply teaching the subconscious mind to react to stress in a different manner. Unless you have an extreme condition, you will probably not need medication.

Cognitive Behavioral therapy and panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy are said to be two appropriate psychotherapies that deal with mental disorders. Other than psychotherapy, reassurance by the family and friends, education and life style changes help in quick recovery. One should do exercises regularly. Yoga and meditation are very helpful. Practice deep breathing. Breathe through your diaphragms and through your mouth.

However, medicines may be necessary sometimes. Of course, that is for a doctor to decide. See a psychiatrist who is either a MD or DO for that. Of course, a psychiatrist should supervise the entire treatment for anxiety disorder.

Two types of medicines are generally used while dealing with these disorders. The best medication for panic disorder is Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam because these can stop panic attacks very quickly. Panic attacks come without any warning and almost out of blue, build up within ten minutes, and subside after 20 to 30 minutes. Unlike general anxiety disorder, panic attacks do not need any stressor. If you take Benzodiazepines at the very onset of the attack, it will bloc the attack successfully for the time being. The medicine is often used on as-is-necessary basis.

Benzodiazepines are often prescribed for regular use. If taken regularly it shows result in one or two weeks. However, as it is a habit forming drug, long-term use is not really encouraged. This is specially so for the anxiety disorder patients, because of the nature of their illness. Consistent worry may encourage them to take it more than they should.

Another good medication for panic disorder or anxiety disorder is the group of antidepressant. These medicines have anti anxiety properties. Antidepressant work slowly. You need to take it for a longer time to have any effect. However, these should be started on a very low dose in case of panic disorder as such patients are more concerned about their body. The anxiety disorder patient can take it in their normal dose.

There are different varieties of antidepressant. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are the first line of medicines, followed by tricyclics if required. The SSRIs offer fewer side effects than tricyclics. Doctors often start these two medicines side-by-side and gradually taper of the Benzodiazepines, while continuing the antidepressant.

The best help will come from the patient himself. It is important to see that the patient does not give up or start taking alcohol.