Treating Different Types of Anxiety

August 3, 2009 by Kathie Keeler
Filed under Anxiety

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, each of which requires a specific anxiety treatment. Some of the different types that commonly affect a large number of people include:

• panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• generalized anxiety disorder
• social anxiety
• phobias of different items, situations, and locations

There is no one anxiety treatment that works for all of these types, which is why a health care professional has to assess the client to determine the type of anxiety he/she is suffering from. While the symptoms of anxiety may be the same, this does not mean that the same treatment will be effective for different individuals. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and it is possible that no treatment is needed.

It is quite common for people to become worried or anxious about a specific situation. When they know what they are worried about, do not worry excessively, and recognize the symptoms of anxiety for what they are, they are able to deal with their feelings and symptoms without needing any anxiety treatment from a professional. It is when the anxiety develops into something more serious that has an effect on the client’s quality of life that a person has to seek treatment.

The doctor, health care professional, or therapist discusses the symptoms with the patient and may even interview the family of the patient to get further information. Identifying the cause of the anxiety may help determine the most effective method of treatment. Clients who experience episodes of panic disorder are not typically able to pinpoint anything in particular that triggers these episodes that strike without warning.

Choosing the method of anxiety treatment for such a client is usually done with a consultation between the counselor and the client. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication which is used as a short term treatment and the client is reassessed at regular intervals. Clients with OCD--obsessive compulsive disorder (having an uncontrollable need to repeat an action over and over) often need medication. Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications for this type of anxiety.

Clients with OCD also have disturbing thoughts, which are called obsessions. Medication is often prescribed to help the client feel better about different situations and to help control the thoughts. However, the most effective anxiety treatment for this disorder has been cognitive behavior therapy. This treatment helps to retrain the brain to respond in a different manner so that the person no longer feels compelled to repeat certain actions.

Anxiety treatment for generalized anxiety disorder involves teaching the patients techniques of self-help in which they can recognize the symptoms of panic and anxiety and calm themselves, thus reducing the symptoms. The treatment can consist of practicing daily relaxation techniques, making changes to one’s lifestyle and practicing meditation. There are also three types of medication prescribed for this type of anxiety, which include anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants.

Psychological counseling is also used as anxiety treatment for those suffering from social anxiety. At times, depending on how debilitating the disorder is in a patient, antidepressants may be prescribed to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Phobias are usually treated with exposure therapy in which the client is exposed to the source of the fear with increasing frequency until the client is able to cope when presented with the object, situation, or location.

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