How can we cope with anxiety?

People suffering from anxiety disorders present multiple discomforts such as extreme fear, feeling of unreality, shortness of breath, tachycardia, fear of losing control, insomnia, nausea, tremors and dizziness, and many other neurovegetative symptoms that are common in these pathologies.

From our clinical experience we increasingly admit a certain hereditary component (we observe it in our patients and families) that predisposes to a greater vulnerability to suffer from anxiety disorders. Other important elements are environmental factors as well as early learning experiences in families.

Types of anxiety disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders and the main ones are:

  • Generalized anxiety disorders.
  • Panic disorder.
  • Phobias, or intense fears, regarding certain objects or situations.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treatment of anxiety

Anxiety disorders must necessarily be treated, because their non-resolution can lead to more harmful consequences for patients. The continuous recurrences of anxiety problems in any of its types can evolve to other mental disorders such as depression and greater propensity to consumption and abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Failure to confront, for example, feared phobic situations or situations related to the occurrence of panic attacks, generate chronic avoidance behaviors. These behaviors generate many difficulties in the performance and decrease in the quality of daily life, work activity and family and social relationships.

Most cases of anxiety disorders can be treated satisfactorily, with good medium-term evolution, as long as they are treated by properly trained and accredited mental health professionals.

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The combination of psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy is recognized as the most effective among them) with the indicated and individually adjusted medication, is usually the most efficient treatment. The application of relaxation techniques and the performance of physical activities complete and favor the improvement of the disorder.

Treatment should be tailored to the patient’s needs and the type of disorder. It is important that there is a consensus between the patient and the professional on the treatment plan, modifying it as it evolves.

For more information on anxiety, contact a specialist in Psychiatry.