A Guide to Finding Lasting Relief
Anxiety Disorder Treatments
The symptoms of anxiety can have a real impact on your life.
Living with the persistent worry, racing thoughts, and other symptoms that come with an anxiety disorder can make it difficult to engage with daily activities, enjoy relationships, or even feel at peace in your own mind. While this can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience, it’s important to know that lasting relief is achievable.
Professional adult anxiety disorder treatments can help reduce the power that anxiety has over your life, allowing you to manage your symptoms to regain a sense of control and peace. Understanding your options is the key to making an informed decision and finding lasting relief.
Psychotherapy-Based Anxiety Disorder Treatments
Psychotherapy is often the cornerstone of effective anxiety disorder treatments. It provides a safe, fully supportive space to discover and discuss the root causes of your anxiety and build the practical skills to manage it. Based on your needs and preferences, your psychotherapist may recommend one or a combination of several effective modalities, such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy operates on the principle that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected. Your psychotherapist will help you identify the specific negative thought patterns and avoidance behaviors that fuel your anxiety and will work with you to change them. CBT is a skills-based, goal-oriented approach where you learn tangible strategies to challenge your anxious thoughts and gradually face situations you’ve been avoiding.
Exposure Therapy
A component of CBT, exposure therapy is used to help patients with various anxiety disorders; it is particularly effective for managing anxiety related to phobias. It involves a process that is guided by a therapist, in which someone carefully and gradually exposes themself to the situations or objects they fear in a controlled, safe environment. As a result, exposure therapy helps you learn that your feared outcomes are unlikely and that your anxiety will naturally decrease over time, which is a process called habituation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Rather than trying to eliminate anxious thoughts, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages individuals to accept the presence of these thoughts, without letting them control their lives. Also known as ACT, it uses mindfulness techniques to help you detach from your worries and focuses on clarifying personal values. The goal is to help you commit to living a meaningful life alongside your anxiety, instead of putting your life on hold until the anxiety is gone.
Medication-Based Anxiety Disorder Treatments
For many adults, medication can be a crucial component of their anxiety disorder treatments, especially when symptoms are severe and interfere significantly with their daily functioning.
The right medications can help reduce the intensity of anxiety’s physical and emotional symptoms, which can make it easier to fully engage in and benefit from psychotherapy. Common types of medications used for anxiety disorder treatments include:
- SSRIs and SNRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are often the first-line medication choice for anxiety disorders. These antidepressants work by increasing the levels of key neurotransmitters that regulate mood and stress. SSRIs and SNRIs are taken daily and may take several weeks to reach their full effect.
- Benzodiazepines: These are fast-acting sedatives that can provide rapid, short-term relief from acute anxiety or panic attacks. They are generally prescribed for short-term use or on an as-needed basis, not as a long-term primary treatment, due to the potential risk of eventual tolerance and dependence.
- Other Medications: In some cases, other medications like Buspirone (a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic) or beta-blockers may be used to manage specific symptoms of anxiety.
When treating anxiety with medication, reliable medication management is essential. The right psychiatrist will be prepared to help you find the proper medication and dosage for you through a careful process. Before prescribing any medications, this professional will thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and medical history. Afterward, your psychiatrist should provide ongoing monitoring to ensure the treatment remains effective and to manage any potential side effects that may arise.
Finding the Right Anxiety Disorder Treatments for You
The best anxiety treatment plan is one that is tailored to you. The choice between therapy, medication, or a combination of both depends on several factors, including:
- The type and severity of your anxiety disorder.
- Your personal preference and comfort level with different approaches.
- Any co-occurring medical or mental health conditions.
While navigating your options for anxiety disorder treatments can feel overwhelming, this is not a decision that you have to make on your own. An experienced psychologist or psychiatrist can help you make the right choice through a comprehensive evaluation, guiding you toward the best path for your unique situation.
At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, our compassionate mental health professionals specialize in evidence-based treatment plans for adults with anxiety. We are committed to helping you through a plan tailored to your specific challenges and goals, whether that involves building coping skills in therapy, exploring medication options, or integrating both.
We are ready to help you discover a more resilient life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.