Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Anxiety disorder treatment is highly effective. You have read about the symptoms of anxiety and depression. And, you have read about when everyday anxiety becomes generalized anxiety disorder. But, what sorts of anxiety disorder treatments are effective?

Seeking psychological evaluation and treatment for anxiety disorder

How does one go about seeking psychological evaluation or treatment for anxiety disorder? And what sorts of therapies work? The efficacy of an array of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of anxiety disorder is well documented. What sort of treatment one seeks reflects ones personal goals.

Some approaches focus primarily on helping the individual to achieve symptom relief from anxiety. For example, medication can be useful in anxiety disorder treatment. It can help the individual to calm down and to be less reactive to the stressors in their life. Like medication, cognitive behavior therapy focuses on alleviating the symptoms of anxiety disorder. Individuals are taught to manage their symptoms by altering their maladaptive thought patterns. While data suggest that this approach is effective in anxiety disorder treatment, in the short-run, few controlled studies have assessed its efficacy over the long haul.

Psychoanalytic (or, psychodynamic) treatment

In contrast, there is some evidence that psychoanalytic approaches have, "staying power". Jonathon Shedler's research seems to indicate that this sort of approach is efficacious in the long-run. Psychoanalytic (also called, "psychodynamic") approaches work by helping the individual to deepen their self-understanding. The hope is that when the individual becomes aware as to what is making them so anxious, they can deal with their concerns and their anxiety will dissipate.

Individuals are encouraged to talk freely about themselves and their lives with the idea that as they become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, they will become more tuned into their inner conflicts. Awareness of inner conflicts leads to insight and change. To accomplish this psychoanalysts and psychodynamic therapists ask people to say, "whatever comes to mind", to report dreams, fantasies and "flash thoughts", and, of course, to talk about the present and the past. The psychoanalysts task is to help the individual to become more aware of their internal struggles.

For example, the woman who is anxious about dating may be very frightened of intimacy. Psychoanalytic therapy will help her to learn more about why she is so afraid of closeness with the hope that as she deepens her self-understanding, she will become less frightened and more open to entering into a loving relationship. The idea is that if the anxiety can be fully understood and resolved, it is less likely to return.

Marital Therapy for Gernalized Anxiety Disorder

Not all anxieties spring from within the individual. For example, a person may be very anxious trying to manage both the demands of a spouse and the workplace. When this is the case, marriage counseling (or when children are involved, family therapy) can prove helpful. Marriage counseling works when both members of a couple attempt to resolve the conflicts leading to anxiety. This approach to anxiety disorder treatment often leads to improved marital and family relationships. As relationships improve, the anxiety attenuates.

Research shows that all of these approaches, and combinations of them, can be extremely helpful in anxiety disorder treatment. The key is to seek early evaluation with a qualified psychologist or mental health professional.

Does your anxiety disorder warrant a consultation with a psychologist or mental health professional?

Should you consider anxiety disorder treatment? Take this anxiety symptoms quiz. This quiz, is not a substitute for the clinical judgement of a psychologist or other mental health professional. If you have any concerns, seek psychological or psychiatric evaluation.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

You have read about the treatment of anxiety disorder. Review the symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of depression

• Learn more about the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Learn more about psychological difficulties.

Psychoanalytic Research on Anxiety Disorders

Disclaimer

The site does not provide psychological or work-life advice to any specific individual. Rather, the content is intended to be for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns regarding a psychological or work-life difficulty, seek professional evaluation. Do not disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of anything that you have read on this web site.