How to Treat an Anxiety Disorder?

Constant anxiety and fears that arise for no reason and paralyze the mind and body are indicative of an anxiety disorder. This condition reduces performance, interferes with social interactions, and eventually leads to several serious consequences. That's why professional help is urgently needed here. To find out how anxiety disorder is treated at Brain Stimulation Center and take the first step toward recovery, make an appointment. Our clinic employs only the best professionals who use only proven techniques and state-of-the-art protocols in treatment.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a psychogenic condition of the neurotic group. It is also called increased anxiety. The predominant symptoms of the condition are uncontrollable experiences, irrational fear, persistent anxiety, and tearfulness. Anxiety disorder can cause a desire to cut oneself off from society. In contrast to the natural experience of stress, this condition is characterized by duration.

Classification

Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders are a group of disorders with different manifestations. Doctors distinguish the following types of anxiety disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder.
  There is uncontrollable anxiety and tension about situations that won't even happen. Not accompanied by panic attacks.
• Post-traumatic condition caused by severe stress.
  Characterized by impaired adaptation and difficulty of adjustment. The person cannot cope with the reaction to change.
• Social anxiety disorder (sociophobia).
  Accompanied by fear of drawing attention to oneself, and of provoking criticism and ridicule. Such an anxious condition is often connected with low self-esteem and fear of judgment, which leads to self-isolation from society.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  It is characterized by the onset of an impulse and an irrepressible desire to perform certain actions (rituals).
• Hypochondriac condition.
  Is manifested by excessive health anxiety, fear of illness, and a constant search for signs of serious illness in common symptoms.
• Anxiety-phobic disorder.
  Accompanied by fears and panic phobias of various types (acrophobia, claustrophobia, pyrophobia, etc.).
• Generalized anxiety disorder.
  Demonstrated by a depressive state and signs of other categories of anxiety disorders.

The disease has a chronic and asthenic form with increased mental fatigue and periods of bipolarity. Anxiety disorder of any kind can go through different stages, from mild manifestations to serious attacks with physical symptoms.

Causes of Pathological Anxiety

The aetiology of an anxiety disorder today is only partially understood. Anxiety disorder is often caused by reasons of a stressful nature. It also appears against a background of physical illness or without any apparent reason.

The main causes of anxiety disorder are:

• diseases: hyperthyroidism, circulatory disorders, hormonal failures, chronic cardiac abnormalities, heart failure, arrhythmia, asthma, exhaustion;
• intake of corticosteroids, narcotic drugs;
• temperament peculiarities (susceptibility to anxiety, hypersensitivity);
• much use of caffeine, energy drinks.

An anxiety personality disorder is often caused by stress and psychological trauma received in childhood or adulthood.

Progress of Disease

The initial stage of an anxiety disorder may be accompanied by intrusive thoughts that appear unconsciously. It then develops into constant and even uncontrollable anxiety. The incessant anxiety lasts about six months. At the same time, it can reach acute manifestations with panic attacks and physical changes.

Methods for Diagnosing Pathological Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is diagnosed when specific symptoms from the psychological and physical categories are present for two weeks or more. First, specialists rule out other causes and assess the severity of the disorder. A Beck interview, Hospital Anxiety Scale test, Spielberger's or Zung's test are administered.

Therapy Specifics

Treatment for anxiety disorder is selected depending on the form that testing has confirmed and the complexity of the clinical case. Treatment for anxiety disorder may consist of psychological therapy. This involves individual, group or family psychotherapy sessions. Supportive or psychodynamic psychotherapy for anxiety disorders is provided according to individual plans for children, adolescents and adults. Antidepressants, anxiolytics and tranquillizers may also need to be taken (depending on the case). Medications for anxiety disorders are prescribed only by your doctor.

Control, Prophylaxis and Recommendations

It is recommended that you visit a psychologist regularly and have psychological examinations to prevent anxiety after recovery. You can drink decoctions of chamomile and melissa, which have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Who Does Treat Anxiety?

Do you want to regain your equilibrium and forget about pathological anxiety? Qualified specialists at the CBS can help you do just that. If you do not know which doctor treats anxiety disorder, you should make an appointment for a consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist, who will make the necessary recommendations.

Sources

• Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• Wikipedia