How Do Different Types Of Treatment For Anxiety Work?

If you or a loved one are being treated for anxiety disorders (or are considering anxiety disorder treatment), you may be curious about what some of the different treatment options are and how they work.There are several different treatments for anxiety disorders. Which treatment is used might depend on the patient's condition, preferences, resources and location.

In this article, we'll look at those treatments and combinations of treatments and how they can work.

About anxiety treatment

Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions encompassing a variety of specific disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Each specific disorder has its own set of associated anxiety symptoms. For example, GAD involves persistent, excessive worry about everyday events, while social anxiety disorder is characterized by an intense fear of social interactions. Likewise, panic disorder causes sudden, recurrent panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder includes unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Anxiety disorders often occur alongside other mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes a combination of therapy, medication, and support groups to address symptoms and any comorbid mental health conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, is effective in addressing anxiety symptoms by changing negative thought patterns. 

Medications such as beta blockers can be prescribed for short-term relief, particularly in managing physical symptoms of anxiety. For those with anxiety and depression, a comprehensive treatment plan addressing both health conditions is often needed. Support groups also play a crucial role in providing community and shared experiences for individuals facing similar mental health challenges.

Effective anxiety treatment requires a personalized approach to address the specific anxiety disorder. Early intervention and a supportive network are often key components in managing and overcoming these stress disorders.

Various anxiety disorders

There are various different anxiety disorders that can be positively impacted by these treatments.

Experts have not yet found a singular cause to anxiety disorders at the time of this publication. For example: Some believe that anxiety disorders are caused by the mind and body to cope with stress that may already be in the environment. This can include acute stress as can be felt after a traumatic incident like a violent crime, or chronic stress as is felt during long-term stressful situations—like abusive relationships or very demanding occupations. Other experts believe that stress can be caused by imbalances of chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters. 

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Alternatively, other experts believe that a combination of these factors can be the cause—possibly suggesting that some individuals might have a biological predisposition for anxiety disorders that can be "triggered" by acute or chronic stress.

This can be helpful to know, as the patient's views and the health team's views about the causes of anxiety can all impact what kind or kinds of treatment will be pursued.

Management options for symptoms

Psychological therapy

Several different types of psychological therapy might be used to successfully address mental and physical symptoms of anxiety disorders. Some of the most common of these can include: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) 
• Interpersonal psychotherapy 
• Person-centered therapy 

No matter what method you choose, the goal of psychological therapy for many is often to help the patient understand the possible causes of their anxiety disorder symptoms, and how they can combat it by analyzing their thought patterns and comparing them to a more realistic world view.

People who choose not to use medication may choose to undergo cognitive therapy instead. Further, some people might choose to undergo cognitive therapy for a short time early in the diagnosis process before being prescribed medications later on. 

Anxiety medication

Many find that there are a large number of medications available for combating anxiety. Most of these can work by preventing the reabsorption of specific chemicals that can promote feelings of unease or nervousness that may be inappropriate for your setting or situation. As a result, the body doesn't necessarily produce more or less of any chemicals—but the chemicals that it does produce are more or less able to be used by the brain.

Just like some people might elect to go through cognitive therapy without medication, others may choose to take medication without undergoing cognitive therapy. 

While some patients using medication to combat their anxiety do experience some side effects, medications have become much more targeted in recent years—with many reporting that this shift has led to increased efficacy of treatment with decreased side effects.

A prescription for anxiety medications can only be safely given by a licensed medical professional. It is best to avoid beginning or stopping any medication without first speaking to your doctor.

Combination therapy

Many believe that the most successful method to treat anxiety disorders is a combination of medication and talk therapy.

Many scientists believe that this is because patients undergoing medication changes and use might get more out of talk therapy. Others believe that this can be because the causes of anxiety disorders are both psychological and chemical in nature; so, treating one or the other might be less effective than treating both simultaneously.

People with anxiety disorders who undergo combined therapy might undergo therapy for a few months before choosing to conclude therapy. In contrast, many people who undergo only medication or only cognitive therapy might choose to continue treatment for a longer duration.

One of the most notable downsides for many who choose to pursue combination therapy could be that it can be more expensive than just medication or therapy alone. 

With this in mind, it can be helpful to note that online therapy has been proven to be more cost-effective than traditional in-person therapy, especially when you consider the expenses saved on elements such as transportation, child care and time off work when you check in with a therapist remotely.

How it works: Cognitive behavioral therapy

One of the most popular treatment options for combating anxiety might be cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is often a shorter-term therapy that can last a few months to a few years—with sessions often occurring at least once per week. It can be carried out in one-on-one sessions as well as in groups.

The general goal and structure of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to help the patient understand their thought processes—possibly empowering them to interpret unhealthy or unrealistic thoughts to prevent the problems that thoughts like that can cause.

How it works: Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is generally based on the classic Freudian model of talk therapy. Sessions may expand past the expected treatment window for methods such as CBT, extending into one or several years for many patients. 

Psychotherapy is by many to be a more comprehensive approach than cognitive behavioral therapy, in that it doesn't only look at anxiety disorder symptoms, but it also looks at larger patterns of behavior that may contribute to the nervousness or symptoms that a person might feel. 

Whereas cognitive behavioral therapy can be about changing the thoughts that cause anxiety disorder symptoms, psychotherapy can be more about changing the patient's life.

How it works: Acceptance and committal therapy

Acceptance and committal therapy (ACT) is regarded by many as one kind or subtype of behavioral therapy. The general goal of ACT is to help the patient learn how to live a normal life despite having the condition, rather than trying to cure the condition directly.

This kind of treatment might often be favored among people who believe that anxiety is largely a chemical disorder, but who still want to treat it using talk therapy.

How can online therapy help?

Experiencing feelings of nervousness related to anxiety disorder can feel overwhelming—possibly prompting many to feel that they aren’t able to leave the house to seek support. Online therapy can be a more available form of therapy for some, allowing them to connect directly with a therapist in the comfort of their home or a safe space. Online therapy allows individuals to be matched with a therapist who has experience treating mental health conditions like anxiety. 

Many might ask: Is online therapy as effective as in-person methods? Research shows that it is effective for many people. A study published in 2017 found that online therapy is effective for depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions.