| Anxiety disorders are suffered by more than forty | | | | anxiety disorders while the patient receives |
| million Americans. Examples of these disorders are | | | | psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, |
| panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, | | | | helps anxiety disorder sufferers change the way they |
| post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, | | | | think and how they react to anxiety-inducing situations. |
| phobias, and generalized anxiety disorders. Many of | | | | For example, a person with OCD who is anxious |
| these disorders are debilitating to the sufferers, | | | | about germs and ritualistically washes his or her hands |
| interfering with both their personal and professional | | | | many times a day is taught to wait for longer periods |
| lives. Thankfully, there are many anxiety treatments | | | | of time in between such activities. |
| out there. | | | | Those with other phobias or disorders learn how to |
| If you think that you suffer from an anxiety disorder, | | | | face their fears through this anxiety treatment. The |
| the first person you should see is your family doctor. | | | | CBT therapist accompanies the anxiety disorder |
| Tests are necessary to make sure that there isn't | | | | patient through role-playing to actual encounters. CBT |
| another medical condition responsible for the | | | | therapists also teach relaxation techniques such as |
| symptoms. Once it's determined that the symptoms | | | | deep breathing. |
| are the result of an anxiety disorder, the next step is | | | | CBT only works when the anxiety disorder sufferer is |
| to seek out a mental health professional. | | | | ready to undertake the challenge of facing his or her |
| Anxiety treatment can include medications. While | | | | fears. It must be specific to their individual anxiety |
| medications are not enough to cure anxiety disorders, | | | | disorder. This anxiety treatment usually lasts about |
| they can help the sufferer deal with the symptoms. | | | | three months. It may incorporate group therapy. |
| Antidepressants alter the chemistry of the brain. Most | | | | Anxiety treatment is often more effective when it |
| begin to work on some indicators of anxiety disorder | | | | includes support groups. These groups may include |
| immediately; however, it can take up to six weeks for | | | | resources from the internet or your local member of |
| the full effects to be felt. | | | | the clergy. These should not be a replacement for a |
| SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are | | | | certified therapist. |
| also antidepressants. They help brain cells | | | | Exercise can be a great addition to anxiety |
| communicate with each other by increasing the | | | | treatments. It boosts the brain's natural creation of |
| amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is involved in | | | | serotonin. Meditation has also been found to enhance |
| the regulation of learning, sleep, and moods. They have | | | | anxiety treatments, as it helps calm the physical |
| been shown to be very effective in anxiety treatment. | | | | symptoms of anxiety disorder. |
| Beta-blockers, usually used to treat heart conditions, | | | | Finally, family is a very important factor in anxiety |
| can also be prescribed for anxiety treatment. They | | | | treatment. Families should never trivialize the disorder |
| can help prevent the physical conditions which | | | | of the sufferer. They can offer support but need to be |
| accompany most anxiety disorders. | | | | careful not to enable the anxiety disorder patient. |
| Medications are used to help control the signs of | | | | |