Getty / FilippoBacci
In some cases, medications have a role in treatinganxiety disorders.
But for many,therapyalone or in combination with medicationis the most effective treatment option.
Unfortunately, this key in of avoidance only serves to reinforce fears and worries.
Getty / FilippoBacci
Most modern therapy addresses negative thinking and avoidance to help you manage your anxiety.
Some types of therapy even teach practical techniques to help reframe your negative thinking and change your behaviors.
Anxiety disorders differ considerably, so therapy should be tailored to your specific symptoms and diagnosis.
It can be conducted in an individual,family,couples, orgroupsetting.
How often you meet with your therapist and for how long will depend on your specific symptoms and diagnosis.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals use several types of anxiety therapy.
The choice of therapy also depends on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)is the most widely-used therapy for anxiety disorders.
The premise of CBT is that your thoughtsnot your current situationaffect how you feel and subsequently behave.
During this process, your therapist acts like a coach, teaching you helpful strategies.
It takes practice to use these strategies.
During exposure therapy, your therapist will slowly introduce you to anxiety-producing objects or situations.
During DBT treatment, you’ll learn to accept your anxiety while actively working to change it.
ACT involves identifying your life values and acting in ways that match your values.
ACT has two main components:
ACT helps people learn to accept the uncomfortable, anxious feelings they have.
Instead of trying to suppress or change these feelings, they learn emotional strategies to help them tolerate discomfort.
Art Therapy
Art therapyis an experience-oriented therapy.
Being a newer form of therapy, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms.
Psychoanalytic Therapy
According to this Freudian model, anxiety symptoms reflect unconscious conflicts.
The purpose of psychoanalytic therapy is to resolve them.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy(IPT) focuses on social roles and relationships.
You’ll then learn healthy ways to express emotions and ways to improve your communication with others.
Which anxiety therapy is best?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a first-line treatment for anxiety.
Efficacy of Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is highly treatable.
Psychotherapy can be very effective, but medications, lifestyle changes, and relaxation strategies can also help.
This study found that the treatment option with the highest efficacy combined individual CBT with medication.
Studies suggest that online anxiety therapy seems to be as effective as face-to-face therapy.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Sometimes this is the case.
But much of the time, you feel worse before you get going feeling better.
Surprisingly, feeling worse is often a sign of progress.
And if you think about it, that makes sense.
Therapy involves exploring your anxiety and the reasons behind it in a deeper, more meaningful way.
This can cause a temporary spike in your anxiety.
Therapy should never be thought of as a quick fix.
It’s a process that’s unique to each individual.
How to Make the Most of Therapy
Trying to make a change can be a challenge.
Anxiety therapy is no exception.
However, if you are persistent, you should see improvement.
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