Archive for May, 2010
Medicines for anxiety
Treatment often begins with medications to calm severe symptoms, or lower general levels of anxiety to allow people to get on with their lives.
All three classes of antidepressants – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) – can be effective for specific disorders.
Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Ativan treat anxiety symptoms directly. But since our bodies become acclimated to these drugs, needing larger and larger doses over time, they are usually used only for brief periods.
In social phobias when anxiety attacks can be predicted (before an important presentation, or major social event), beta blockers can prevent the most serious symptoms.
Anxiety therapies
A variety of therapies can help you learn to cope with anxiety. In most cases, a combination of medicine and therapy lead to the best outcomes.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy addresses patterns of anxious thoughts, as well as behaviors, that are part of these disorders. It’s generally considered one of the most effective therapies available.
Progressive desensitization can be effective in OCD and social phobias. Some people use hypnotherapy to reduce reactions and symptoms. Stress management techniques like meditation and visualization help people recognize signs of stress and practice techniques to control them.
With accurate diagnosis, you will be able to find the right treatments. It may take some experimenting, but with care and persistence, you can begin to enjoy life once again.