Anxiety can be incredibly debilitating, especially if you don’t know how to manage it. For some people, anxious thoughts make them do things like bite their nails or pick at their skin. Other people stay at home to avoid dealing with the outside world. Pursuing anxiety treatment is the best option if you struggle with these feelings and thoughts. The right therapy for anxiety can help you address your fears and rationalize them. Learn what you can expect when you pursue anxiety treatment and how to get more out of it.
Types of Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety is your body’s response to stress or potential threats. It naturally occurs in all humans as a warning sign. However, sufferers of anxiety may feel this way even in calm times. At its worst, anxiety could debilitate them and get in the way of their lives. There are a variety of ways to cope with anxiety, both in the moment and on a long-term basis. These include breathing techniques, therapy, and anxiety medications.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has become one of the most popular treatment options for depression and anxiety in recent years. The primary goal of it is to identify and challenge any negative thoughts you may have, including any adverse reactions or behaviors. Instead of giving in to those thoughts and behaviors, you face them and question their validity. By recognizing irrational beliefs that contribute to your anxiety, you can then replace those thoughts with more positive ones.
During the process, you work with a therapist who guides you along the journey. They will teach you helpful strategies to get started and how you can replace some of those negative thoughts. A medical professional can also help you recognize your specific triggers and how to address them.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy involves slowly deconditioning any fear or anxiety you may have toward a specific thing, idea, or action. During this type of therapy, your therapist will introduce situations or items that stimulate your anxiety; this is done slowly over time to desensitize you to them. The effectiveness of this therapy will depend on the individual person and the extent of their fear and trauma.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an extension of CBT, and while it focuses on many of the same principles, it also incorporates mindfulness practices. The four main components of DBT are mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. It was first created to help treat people with borderline personality disorder. However, mindfulness practices also apply to those with anxiety.
As the name implies, the goal is to help you develop a “dialectical” outlook on your anxieties. Instead of fearing your anxiety, you learn to accept it and cope with those feelings. You acknowledge why they exist in the first place and try to change yourself for the better.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT involves identifying your life values and acting in ways that support those values. The two main components involve accepting thoughts and feelings you can’t control, as well as committing to take actions to help yourself live according to your values. ACT is most commonly used to help with social anxiety, testing anxiety, and OCD. Your therapist may combine elements of ACT with other treatment options.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a holistic option involving visual art to express and process emotions. It may also be used to practice mindfulness and relax yourself when you have anxiety. Art therapy is often used alongside other anxiety treatment options and provides an outlet for your emotions.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy is most helpful when your anxieties stem from your relationships. Maybe you have unresolved grief or a conflict within your family. Your anxiety may also come from changes in your work or social roles. Through interpersonal therapy, you can learn healthy ways to express your emotions and communicate your needs with those around you.
Anxiety Medication
Your psychiatrist or doctor may decide that you need prescription medication to help address your anxiety. These are often helpful if you suffer from persistent anxiety that gets in the way of your daily life. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that may help with your anxiety. These stop nerve cells in your brain from reabsorbing serotonin.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRS) help reduce the brain’s reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine. Past that, you also have tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and benzodiazepines. Make sure to speak with your physician about your options and which would work best for your symptoms.
Find the Right Anxiety Treatment for You
When you go into your first therapy session, you can expect your therapist to want to get to know you. After better understanding the source of your anxieties, they can then set up an anxiety treatment to fit your needs. A plan may involve a combination of treatment options, including medication. At Comprehensive Wellness Centers, you don’t have to face recovery alone. Our options for anxiety treatment include inpatient and outpatient programs, trauma programs, and various forms of therapy. Verify your insurance and reach out to get help.
