Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety Treatment questions and answers

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Q: What is the best treatment for Anxiety?
What is the best treatment for anxiety and panic? Do you think its medicine or just therapy? Learning how to deal with it without medication?

A: In studies, a combination of medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) show the best results for anxiety, depression, and other disorders. However, CBT on its own has shown extremely good results with a very high remission rate for anxiety disorders. If you don't want to go on medication, find a really good psychologist that specializes in cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders. It may take longer than medication, but therapy tends to show permanent results, whereas medication alone does not.

Q: What is the best treatment for anxiety, social anxiety? Need an urgent answer?
I suffer from social phobia/ anxiety. I dread leaving my house and even ordanrily mixing with people is stressful I was formerly on zoloft and lagactl but I feel very insecure after taking lagactl so I'm off it. I still feel I need extra to the zoloft( actually sertraline which is the generic name) If you know of any superb treatments, pls let me have them , whether medication or therapy. I prefer medication though!

A: Aristotlelus, I can relate to how you feel. I used to suffer from anxiety/agoraphobia. I was thinking too much. I had anxiety attacks when I had to speak in public. Or when there would be more than a few people around me in the same room. It was something that started when I was a teenager and that lasted over years and subsequently affected my career until not so long ago. Looking back, I feel I should have taken action way earlier. But anyway, that's the past. At some point, I was prescribed medicine but I wanted to avoid that because of the side effects (just my point of view but you should think about it). That's when I discovered a program that cured me. It is a 100% natural method. You can find it here: http://www.stop-your-anxiety-now.com The key of that technique is that you should no longer fear the thought of anxiety. You know what I mean? You are thinking too much. You have to get out of that loop. Tackle the issue ASAP. You can get rid of it - others have, I have. Good luck!

Q: What is the best treatment for anxiety and depression?
as well what meds. help the most with the least side affects generally speaking?

A: Medications are different and have different effects on different people. I've not heard about one from patients that was superior to others. I would recommend counseling before getting onto medication. Good luck, Dana (M.S. Counseling)

Q: Best Treatment For Anxiety and worry?
What is the best Treatment (capsules or any other methods) for anxiety and worrying?

A: I am a psychotherapist who treats anxiety disorders. I almost always recommend trying therapy before medications. Many people can manage their anxiety without meds. They do this by identifying where the anger is coming from, practicing relaxation techniques, and stopping their negative thinking/irrational beliefs. You can do this on your own, but using a therapist is often more helpful...at least in the beginning. Here are some anxiety resources: http://buckblack.com/resources.shtml I hope this helps, Buck

Q: What will happen if you go too long with an anxiety disorder without treatment?
And is it highly possible to confuse one with OCD? Thanks.

A: Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc. Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level. But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc. The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them! Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to.... Extracted from Source.

Q: Best treatment for anxiety and panic disorder?
What is the best treatment for anxiety and panic disorder? I am taking a beta blocker 25mg and the Dr gave me Xanax too. But everyone keeps telling me how wrong Xanax is and so addictive. But I keep having the panic attacks. Is anyone else taking an SSRI or something else for the anxiety and panic attack treatment? What are alternatives other than Xanax? Anyone taking it combined with a beta blocker?

A: I have the same disorder. I take Valium which is much longer acting than Xanax. I had a terrible time trying to get off of Xanax. It is very short acting and very addictive. Also, you should get into cognitive therapy. I took an anxiety management program and it helped me a lot. When i feel a panic attack coming on i now have some mental tools to fight it off and most of the time i am able to do that. Good luck!!

Q: What is the treatment for social anxiety disorder? Has it helped you?
I never had any problems with being social in my life, but for the past year or so whenever I even think about going out on a Saturday night, I get horrible anxiety, stomach aches, nausea, and diarhea. I am terrified that if I go out I will get sick and/or make a fool out of myself. I am not sure if social anxiety disorder can come out of the blue like this. I was just wondering if anyone else has had experience with this. I am curious to know if I can ever get better.

A: I have had the same problems and it did come out of the blue for me too. My doctor perscribed Zoloft for the social anxiety and xanax for the anxiety attacks. Not on any medications now and I do fine in social settings with no anxiety at all.

Q: How do I get treatment for a anxiety disorder?
Do I go to a regular doctor of a psychiatrist?

A: A Psychiatrist. Meaning a Medical doctor, who specialized in the field of mental afflictions. They are the only doctors that can truly get as close as they can to knowing what's wrong with your brain. I know a lot about this illness, as I have it severely, along with Panic disorder. A Psychiatrist will most likely start you out with SSRI-antidepressant treament therapy for anxiety. If it doesn't work (which it doesn't, for ever single person I know with anxiety disorder. And I don't know why they teach that in the damn medical school. Benzodiazepines are THE most effective med for anxiety, and if only lower than 2mgs a day equivalent of Klonopin or Xanax, then the addiction potential is very low. But you will still have to do the whole long trial and error SSRI treatment, and eventually he'll give you the real deal. Just don't abuse them when you finally get them, because daily abuse can cause serious, and even fatal withdrawal. I can tell you right now though, those things suck to run out of if your own a dose that causes dependency. It sucks BAD. Another reason to stray from taking even an extra every once in a while if on such a dose.

Q: Any suggestions for homeopathic treatment of depression and anxiety?
I don't want to go on anti-depressants until I exhaust all other methods. Does anyone have suggestions for homeopathic treatment of depression? I know exercise and proper diet are big factors but I don't know what kind of diet to be on. Also, I'm in counseling/therapy right now to work on cognitive-behavioral technique, journaling, and starting to meditate. Now I just want to know if there are any supplements that work as hard as the Western medications.

A: Homeopathy will provide all you ask for, and more. Only, it sounds like you have a common misunderstanding of what homeopathy is and offers. Homeopathy is a comprehensive healing modality, like acupuncture and chiropractic. A homeopath uses homeopathic remedies to stimulate one's self-healing defense mechanism, whether a symptom manifests in the mind or body. It's most similar to psychotherapy (in its feel, given the depth of listening and time a homeopath spends with you), only we help not only physical symptoms, but those in the mind and emotions. (Most physical problems are "somaticized," an overflow from childhood emotional wounds we were unable to "process.") Homeopathy is complementary to the work you are doing with your counselor / therapist. Often, it helps you progress further, faster, and more freely. As with seeing a trained, licensed psychologist, however, you would need to similarly interview a "certified, professional homeopath" who does nothing but homeopathy. If you want to look into homeopathy further and need more help finding someone, e-mail me. Take care, sweetie. You are looking in the right direction, and otherwise doing all the right things.

Q: Is there a medication/ treatment for anxiety and depression that does not have sexual side effects?
Lexapro, works wonderful for the anxiety and depression but my husband and I can't deal with the sexual side effects. It's not lack of desire it's not being able to get off and my husband is doing everything right it's just not happening!!!!!

A: Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that is known for causing less sexual side effects...talk to your doctor about it.

Q: What is the up- to- date treatment of social anxiety disorder?
I am a 64-year-old man ,is there any appropriate therapy available that could improve my long standing anxiousness?

A: Social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. People vary in how often they experience anxiety in this way or in which kinds of situations. Anxiety about public speaking, performance, or interviews is common. Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also referred to clinically as social phobia, is a psychiatric anxiety disorder involving overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People experiencing social anxiety often have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Often the triggering social stimulus is a perceived or actual scrutiny by others. Their fear may be so severe that it significantly impairs their work, school, social life, and other activities. While many people experiencing social anxiety recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they encounter considerable difficulty overcoming it. This differs from shyness, in that the person is functionally debilitated and avoids such anxiety provoking situations by all means. At the same time, a person with social anxiety may only feel the fear of the disorder during certain situations. For example, an actor or singer may feel fine on stage, but afraid of social situations in everyday life. Social anxiety is often part of only a certain situation—such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, or writing in front of others—or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people. Many people have the specific fear of public speaking, called glossophobia. In this case, the fear is not actually of public speaking, but a fear of doing or saying something which may cause embarrassment. Approximately 13.3% of the general population will experience social phobia at some point in their lifetime; with the male to female ratio being 1.4:1.0, respectively. Physical symptoms often accompany social anxiety, and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and stammering. Panic attacks may also occur under intense fear and discomfort. An early diagnosis helps in minimizing the symptoms and having other mental illnesses such as depression. Some sufferers also use alcohol or drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. A person with the disorder may be treated with therapy, medication, or both. Research has shown cognitive behavior therapy, whether individually or in a group, to be effective in treating social phobics. The cognitive and behavioral components seek to change thinking patterns and physical reactions to anxious situations. This may be done through a technique called role playing. Prescribed medication consists of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Such treatment has a high response rate and low risk of dependency but has been criticized for its adverse side-effects and possible increase in suicide risk. Attention given to social anxiety disorder has significantly increased since 1999 with the approval of drugs for its treatment. Marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies may be largely responsible for driving this. Treatment Arguably the most important clinical point to emerge from studies of comorbid social anxiety disorder is the necessity for early diagnosis and treatment. Social anxiety disorder remains underrecognized in primary care practice, with patients presenting for treatment only after the onset of complications such as major depression or substance use disorders. Up to 80% of those treated for social phobia claim to have their anxiety under control, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Improvement is lower for those with more severe social phobia and with comorbid disorders, such as avoidant personality disorder and depression. The patients who achieve full resolution are usually far fewer; there are still many who, after receiving treatment, are unable to function in the long-term without anxiety symptoms. Research supported by the NIMH has shown that there are two effective forms of treatment available for social phobia (and anxiety disorders): certain medications and a specific form of short-term psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the central component being gradual exposure therapy. Medications include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as well as a benzodiazepene. Pharmacological treatments SSRIs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are considered the first choice by doctors in defusing fears associated with social phobia and related anxiety disorders. These drugs are designed to elevate the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The first drug formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration was paroxetine, sold as Paxil. Compared to older forms of medication, there is little risk of tolerability and drug dependency. However, their efficacy and increased suicide risk has been subject to controversy. In a 1995 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the SSRI paroxetine was shown to result in clinically meaningful improvement in 55% of patients with generalized social anxiety disorder, compared with 23.9% of those taking placebo. An October 2004 study yielded similar results. Patients were treated with either fluoxetine, psychotherapy, fluoxetine and psychotherapy, placebo and psychotherapy, and a placebo. The first four sets saw improvement in 50.8 to 54.2% of the patients. Of those assigned to receive only a placebo, 31.7 percent achieved a rating of 1 or 2 on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale. Those who sought both therapy and medication did not see a boost in improvement. General side-effects are common during the first weeks while the body adjusts to the drug. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, insomnia and changes in sexual behavior. Treatment safety during pregnancy has not been established. In late 2004 much media attention was given to a proposed link between SSRI use and juvenile suicide. For this reason, the use of SSRIs in pediatric cases of depression is now recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as warranting a cautionary statement to the parents of children who may be prescribed SSRIs by a family doctor. Recent studies have shown no increase in rates of suicide. These tests, however, represent those diagnosed with depression, not necessarily with social anxiety disorder. However, it should be noted that due to the nature of the conditions, those taking SSRIs for social phobias are far less likely to have suicidal ideation than those with depression. Other drugs Although SSRIs are often the first choice for treatment, other prescription drugs are also commonly issued. Benzodiazepines are a more potent alternative to SSRIs. The drug is often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety. Although benzodiazepines are prescribed for long-term use, there is much concern over the development of drug tolerance, dependency and recreational abuse. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax augment the action of GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain; effects usually begin to appear within minutes or hours. In 1985, before the introduction of SSRIs, anti-depressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were frequently used in the treatment of social anxiety by researchers such as Donald Klein and Michael Liebowitz. Irreversible MAOIs, most notably phenelzine, has been more efficacious than benzodiazepines in the short-term (8-12 weeks). Relapse is common, which may result in long-term usage. Because of the dietary restrictions required, high toxicity in overdose, and incompatibilities with other drugs, its usefulness as a treatment for social phobics is limited. Reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase subtype A (RIMAs) also inhibit monoamine oxidase. In contrast with MAOIs, reversibility means that they can inhibit the enzyme only temporarily. Because their action is short-lived and selective, they have a better safety profile than the older MAOI drugs. A special diet does not need to be strictly adhered to. Some people with a form of social phobia called performance phobia have been helped by beta-blockers, which are more commonly used to control high blood pressure. Taken in low doses, they control the physical shaking of anxiety and can be taken before a public performance. Psychotherapy Research has shown that a form of psychotherapy that is effective for several anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder and social phobia, is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (Burns, 1999). It has two components. The cognitive component helps people change thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears. A person with social phobia might be helped to overcome the belief that others are continually watching and harshly judging him or her. The behavioral component of CBT seeks to change people's reactions to anxiety-provoking situations. A key element of this component is gradual exposure, in which people confront the things they fear in a structured, sensitive manner. This is done with support and guidance when the therapist feels the patient is ready and only with the permission of the patient and at the pace the patient wishes. Cognitive-behavior therapy for social phobia also includes anxiety management training, such as teaching people techniques such as deep breathing to control their levels of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT), founded upon research done by Richard Heimberg, is a similar psychotherapeutic approach. It is generally held for 12 weekly sessions which run for two or three hours. A range of 4-10 patients and two therapists are involved in sharing individual experiences, participating in simulated exposures, and completing homework assignments in the goal of replacing irrational and automatic negative thoughts in social situations. A sample homework assignment might include reading a book or initiating a conversation with an acquaintance. Even in CBGT, sufferers are treated individually. Each person is exposed to different levels of anxious situations, depending on the severity of their illness. These two types of cognitive behavior therapy have proven effective in reducing anxiety among social phobics. A 1998 study by Heimberg and Michael Liebowitz and a 2004 experiment showed the efficacy of CBGT.

Q: What is a good treatment for high anxiety?
I take a supplement called Sam-e but sometimes it's not enough as I get all worked up over things. I just found out my neighbor has bedbugs and have a horror that they may come over to my condo....friends say I am over re-acting and I probably am as they are just in her mattress now......but I get overly upset over other things that aren't that bad too....getting ready to go to the gym....I know that will help me. I have had a panic attack 2 years ago and ended up overnight in the hospital as I thought it was a heart attack....the Dr. prescribed lexapro and I gained weight so stopped taking it and started taking Sam-e which is more expensive and he prescribed xanax (the generic one) 0.5mg. and said to take as needed and I don't think I take it enough as I don't want to get dependent one it.....got dependent long time ago on valium....the 30 pills he prescribed was last Nov.14th and said to take one half pill as needed and one for insomnia as needed.

A: xanax you are fine on, take it up to 2 times a week - 3 if needed , you will not have problems becoming dependant on them. you have been prescibed the lowest dose for your anxeity .25mg and for sleeping the next lowest .5mg if you a nervous about the bed bugs call in exterminator to check the apt good luck and take it easy

Q: Are all anxiety disorders treated with the same treatment?
I'm doing a research paper on the five main types of anxiety disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive, Post-Traumatic Stress, Panic, Social Anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety. Are all of these disorders treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy and SSRI's? I was wanting to be able to sum up the treatment in one paragraph at the end rather than dedicating a paragraph about treatment to each disorder. Thanks in advance. [:

A: Not all, because different people may react differently to medication. Doctors are trying to find the minimum effective dose, with the medication with the least side effects. If SSRI does not help they have to switch to a more serious medication, with perhaps more severe side effects. Many medications originally approved for the treatment of depression have been found to relieve symptoms of anxiety. These include certain SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, and the newer atypical antidepressants. Antidepressants are often preferred over the traditional anti-anxiety drugs because the risk for dependency and abuse is smaller. However, antidepressants take up to 4 to 6 weeks to begin relieving anxiety symptoms, so they can’t be taken “as needed.” For example, antidepressants wouldn’t help at all if you waited until you were having a panic attack to take them. Their use is limited to chronic anxiety problems that require ongoing treatment. The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).