Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety disorders are usually treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both. In general, it is a good idea to visit with a doctor to rule out symptoms of anxiety caused by a medical condition. Because a coexisting condition, such as alcohol abuse or dependency, can have a significant influence on anxiety, it is usually necessary to gain control of substance related issues, prior to receiving anxiety treatment.

Those who have previously received treatment for an anxiety disorder should inform their doctor about the type of treatment received, the dosage (if medication), the duration, the frequency of treatment, any negative side effects, and whether or not it was helpful.

Persons suffering from anxiety may also want to consider meeting with a psychotherapist.  A psychiatrist (works primarily with medications), psychologist, social worker, and marriage and family therapist all fit this criterion. A psychotherapist can help you identify the cause of anxiety and how to reduce its symptoms.

A well known and well researched model for treating anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT works to identify beliefs and thought patterns that lead to maladaptive symptoms (e.g. anxiety), and examines evidence that supports or refutes such beliefs. The cognitive-behavioral therapist works collaboratively with clients to help modify those beliefs that prove false, and replace them with more accurate views. The premise of CBT suggests that beliefs influence behavior.

If for example, a person has a tendency to expect the worse possible outcome in any given situation, a therapist may challenge that assumption by asking questions such as, “How likely is this worse-case scenario to actually play out? And “Can you think of something positive that is more likely to occur?”

If you are experiencing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder a medical and or mental health professional may be able to help.