Anxiety Treating Anxiety Disorder

Everyday anxiety responds to simple measures that you can take yourself, such as regular aerobic exercise, time management, learning to let your feelings out with a trusted friend, or relaxation training. But when anxiety is severe, professional treatment is necessary. The good news is that anxiety disorders are among the most treatable emotional illnesses, and while they are certainly distressing, they are rarely dangerous.

Treatment is usually two­pronged, combining drug therapy and psychotherapy. Drugs are useful for short­term relief, while long­term improvement usually requires some behavioral and life­style changes.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive and behavioral therapies, can be helpful in reducing anxiety. Behavioral therapy involves gradually exposing you to the object or situation that causes your anxiety. Cognitive therapy helps you learn to control unrealistic or negative thinking patterns that may be contributing to your anxiety.

Drugs are available to help treat and manage the symptoms of various anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax) are commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorders.

Panic attacks are treated with drugs containing tricyclic antidepressants, such as Etrafon, Triavil, and Limbitrol. Also used for panic are certain benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax).

For obsessive­compulsive disorders, doctors can prescribe clomipramine (Anafranil). To control the physical symptoms of phobias such as severe stage­fright, beta­blocking drugs such as propanolol (Inderol) are sometimes prescribed.

Outlook

People with anxiety disorders do get better. With proper management, most people with an anxiety disorder can expect to live normal, fulfilling lives.