Anxiety Disorders Center: What are effective treatments for anxiety disorders?
Fortunately, effective and safe treatments are available for anxiety
disorders. The two types of treatment that have the strongest scientific support
are medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
New medications are being developed for anxiety disorders at a remarkable
rate. Medications affect anxiety symptoms by altering the balance of chemicals
in the brain called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that seem most
strongly associated with anxiety disorders are norepinephrine and serotonin.
Some of the more commonly-used medications for anxiety disorders include:
- Anti-anxiety drugs such as XanaxÓ , AtivanÓ
, ValiumÓ , and BusparÓ
- Antidepressants such as ProzacÓ , ZoloftÓ
, LuvoxÓ , PaxilÓ ,
and AnafranilÓ
These and other medications have been shown to reduce the symptoms of
anxiety, although they often do not eliminate them entirely. The advantage of
medications is that they can take effect relatively quickly, with a reduction in
symptoms occurring within a few minutes, days, or weeks after beginning a
medication. The disadvantages are that
they often have unwanted side effects, and the anxiety may return when the
person stops taking the medication.
Proven to be effective for many anxiety disorders, Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) is a form of counseling that focuses on teaching clients to:
- gradually confront the things they fear in order to feel less afraid.
- learn healthier ways of coping with stressful situations.
- become aware of-- and then change-- the way they think in critical
situations.
CBT is different from other kinds of psychotherapy or "talk
therapy." Whereas some forms of therapy focus on helping the person to
discover why they feel anxious, CBT emphasizes teaching the person how
to feel less anxious. Whereas traditional psychotherapy often takes place over
several years, CBT is designed to be a relatively brief treatment with distinct,
tangible goals. The advantages of CBT are a lack of unwanted side effects and
long-lasting beneficial effects that continue even after the person leaves
treatment. The disadvantages are that the effects of CBT may take a longer period
of time to develop—although sometimes effects can be seen after just a few
visits, and that CBT involves more time and effort on the part of the person with the
anxiety disorder.
For a more thorough description of CBT, click
here.
Click here for information about our
intensive outpatient therapy programs for obsessive-compulsive disorder and
panic disorder.
It is not clear whether medications or CBT are better for treating anxiety
disorders. Some studies suggest that medications are more effective, whereas
others indicate that CBT is more effective. Most studies show little or no
difference between the two treatments. In general, it is probably safe to
conclude that both treatments are good choices.
Some people benefit most from a combination of CBT and medication. This may
be particularly true when a person’s symptoms are very severe, and they need
the fast action of medications combined with the long-lasting effects of CBT.
Sometimes people with anxiety disorders also suffer from serious depression,
which reduces their ability to participate fully in CBT. When antidepressant
medications are added, their CBT may be much more effective.
For most people, the decision will come down to a matter of personal
preference. Some people do not like the idea of having to take medications for a
long period of time, particularly if the medications have unpleasant side
effects. These people may choose to start with CBT. Other people, however, do
not mind taking medications but dislike the thought of talking to another person
about their problems. These people may prefer to try medications first.
Cost-effectiveness may also be a factor in the person’s decision. CBT may
require a greater financial investment up front, because the person will be
attending regular therapy visits. However, medications may cost more in the long
run, because they usually have to be taken over a longer period of time.
Whether medications or CBT are to be used to overcome anxiety, the treatment
should be provided by an expert who has specialized training and experience in
anxiety disorders. This is the best way to insure that the individual will receive the
right kind of treatment for his/her particular problem.
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