The human body is designed to naturally respond, react, and adapt to its surroundings and it does so in a wide variety of ways. That’s why you experience a faster heartbeat, sweat, increased sensitivity, fear, and uneasiness when faced with a harmful or stressful situation. Stress and anxiety are two of the body’s emotional responses to outside triggers. We will all experience stress and anxiety throughout our lives and there’s no real way to avoid it. Instead, we have to learn to live with it, thrive in it, manage it, and relieve ourselves from it when needed. Unfortunately, some people experience anxiety symptoms more than others and it begins to have a negative impact on their ability to live a quality life. These people might be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is a real medical condition that requires treatment and management.
SO, WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?
While occasional anxiety is absolutely normal and eventually subsides in the individual, those living with an anxiety disorder aren’t given that sense of relief or closure. The anxious emotions, feelings, behaviors, and decisions never really go away and will generally get worse over time. There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. It affects over 40 million adults older than 18 years old, which accounts for nearly 20% of the population. Unfortunately, most people aren’t being treated for it and even more, haven’t been diagnosed.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANXIETY TREATMENTS
There’s no cookie-cutter solution when treating anxiety. Since everyone’s body is different and everyone has a different experience with anxiety, the treatment for each individual patient needs to be tailored and custom to meet their individual needs. If not, their symptoms may get worse. While there are a number of different ways to treat anxiety, a majority of treatments can be broken down into one of two categories – psychotherapy or medication. In most cases, a combination of the two will be used, along with a variety of lifestyle and habitual changes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the different methods, techniques, and options included in both therapy and medication for anxiety treatment. We’ll also touch base on some alternative and other anxiety treatments that your doctor might recommend during your road to recovery.
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, is an effective form of therapy for those struggling to cope with their anxiety symptoms. The most popular form of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside exposure therapy. The goal behind psychotherapy is to help identify triggers, manage symptoms, find ways to overcome symptoms, and help the individual better cope with the symptoms. This will usually involve being exposed to whatever makes the patient anxious and taking steps to correct it. There are several ways to partake in CBT. Some people benefit more from a group session, while others progress more with one-on-one sessions. Either way, the goal is to get better and to help you recognize what needs to be done to overcome your fear, anxiety, worry, or guilt.
MEDICATION FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Medication is often used alongside psychotherapy and can help the body adapt to the many changes it experiences throughout the day. Ensuring all the right chemicals and hormones are produced, synthesized, and released in the body at all times is necessary for optimal health. Some of the most popular medications used with an anxiety disorder include benzodiazepines, buspirone, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), beta-blockers, and other anti-anxiety medication. Your doctor will determine which type of medication to use with you. It’s important to recognize that what works for one person might not work for the next. Furthermore, not everyone will relieve symptoms with medication and it might even worsen your symptoms. It’s sometimes a matter of trial and error, so patience and optimism is a must.
OTHER TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY
In addition to psychotherapy and medication, your doctor will likely make a number of lifestyle and habitual recommendations that could put your body in a better position to succeed when coping with anxiety-related symptoms. These changes are just as important as anything else. Some lifestyle changes your doctor might recommend include stress management and relaxation techniques, getting more quality sleep each night, avoiding smoking tobacco, avoiding drinking alcohol, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and staying physically active each day. There are also a number of supplements and herbal medicines that can help relieve anxiety symptoms, though a lot of them aren’t regulated by the FDA and more research is required to confirm the positive effects. You should speak with your doctor before trying any of them out. Lastly, your doctor might recommend you learn more about your disorder, stick to your treatment plan, keep a journal of your emotions and feelings, join a support group or strengthen your current one, socialize, and find other ways that help you cope with your anxiety symptoms.
HOW CAN COLORADO RECOVERY SOLUTIONS HELP?
At Colorado Recovery Solutions, we understand that anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. We also understand that far too many people are struggling with anxiety-related symptoms, yet a majority of those people aren’t receiving the proper treatment. While no two treatment plans are alike, Colorado Recovery Solutions is dedicated to helping patients overcome their symptoms and regain a sense of control in life.
We offer a number of treatment options for those living with an anxiety disorder and we’re always ready to help. For example, we offer both ketamine IV infusions and Deep TMS – two treatments that are proven to be effective in some individuals with anxiety. We only use the newest and most advanced technology to ensure effectiveness and safety for each and every one of our patients.
Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer at Colorado Recovery Solutions. We can’t wait to help you overcome those uneasy and anxious emotions.
