Anxiety disorders respond very well to therapy —and often in a relatively short amount of time. The specific treatment approach depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its severity.
But in general, most are treated with therapy, medication, or some combination of the two. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are types of behavioral therapy, meaning they focus on behavior rather than on underlying psychological conflicts or issues from the past. They can help with issues such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and phobias. Cognitive-behavior therapy helps you identify and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that fuel your anxiety.
Exposure therapy encourages you to confront your fears and anxieties in a safe, controlled environment. Through gradual exposure to the feared object or situation, either in your imagination or in reality, you gain a greater sense of control.
As you face your fear without being harmed, your anxiety will diminish. However, anxiety medications can be habit forming and cause unwanted or even dangerous side effects, so be sure to research your options carefully.
Many people use anti-anxiety medication when therapy, exercise, or self-help strategies would work just as well or better—minus the side effects and safety concerns. Authors: Melinda Smith, M. DeMartini, J. Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Kandola, A. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20 8 , Craske, M.
Lancet London, England , , — Borza, L. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19 2 , — Park, S.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, , — Otte, C. Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13 4 , — Tolin, D. Is cognitive—behavioral therapy more effective than other therapies? Clinical Psychology Review, 30 6 , — Aylett, E. Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice — a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Anxiety Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety Disorders — Guide to the different types of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and how to get help. National Institute of Mental Health. Managing and Treating Anxiety — Treatment options for anxiety, including exercise and breathing techniques. Better Health Channel.
Anxiety Disorders — Help for kids and teens. Anxiety — Worksheet to help you cope. Centre for Clinical Interventions. Harvard Health Publishing.
NAMI Helpline — Trained volunteers can provide information, referrals, and support for those suffering from anxiety disorders in the U. Call National Alliance on Mental Illness. Find a Therapist — Search for anxiety disorder treatment providers in the U. Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Support Groups — List of support groups in the U. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. During times of stress and alarm, it can help to know your feelings of anxiety may pass once the stressful event is over.
There are also some things you can do to help reduce anxiety in the long term. The World Health Organization WHO recommends at least minutes of moderate exercise a week for most healthy adults.
Research shows that this amount of exercise can help ease mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Meditation can take some practice.
Try downloading a meditation app or taking a meditation class to help you learn. Research suggests lack of sleep can contribute to daytime anxiety. Maintain a healthy diet. If you need help, reach out to a dietitian or nutritionist. It may help to go easy on sugar , alcohol , and caffeine , as they can affect anxiety in some people.
Maintain a strong social network. Social interactions can distract you from your own stressors and give you someone to turn to when you need to talk. You might also find it helpful to connect with others who are dealing with anxiety. You can reach out online, on the phone, or through video chat. Everyone experiences anxiety at one time or another. It usually eases once the triggering event is over.
You may go through a period of intense anxiety that lasts weeks or months depending on your circumstances. If you have an anxiety disorder, anxiety can become a long-term condition. Untreated, anxiety disorders can worsen and substantially disrupt your life. Sometimes, this can lead to other disorders such as depression or substance use disorder.
Anxiety disorders can be treated and effectively managed. There are also things you can do on your own to help relieve stress and anxiety. Behavioral therapy is a safe, effective treatment for anxiety. In some cases, especially when there are coexisting conditions, therapy plus medication can be beneficial. If your anxiety feels overwhelming or unmanageable, discuss it with a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Many things can trigger anxiety, but some are more common than others.
Here are 11 things that may be causing your anxiety, including your morning cup…. Most people feel anxious at some point in their lives, and the feeling often goes away by itself. An anxiety disorder is different. Automatic negative thinking can really cause your mental health to spiral. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association; Bourne EJ.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. New Harbinger, Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. J Clin Psychiatry. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind.
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Panic Disorder Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor's appointment. Download PDF. How Panic Disorder Is Diagnosed. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns?
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