Common Treatments for Anxiety and Depression
/Did you know mental illness affects over ten million people, and half of that number do not receive any form of treatment? After a diagnosis, it can be hard to decide what to do and what treatment route to take. This post is going to focus on giving different treatment options for some of the most diagnosed mental disorders. Those include Major Depressive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder.
What are some common treatment routes for Depression?
Depression is a common mood disorder that induces feelings of sadness and dread. The first thing you should do if you are suffering symptoms of depression is go to a mental health professional and get a diagnosis. After your diagnosis, you can start considering different treatment routes. One option for treatment is medication. Your doctor may prescribe to you an antidepressant, which may be paired with an antipsychotic or a mood stabilizer. Keep in mind, it is important to look at the side effects and risks of said medication before committing to taking it. Therapy is also a good form of treatment. Talking with a mental health professional can help you find ways to cope with your depression and replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. Brain stimulation therapy is also an option, which stimulates brain cells and sends electrical currents through the brain to relieve severe depression. Sleeping regularly, surrounding yourself with people you love, and trying to stay positive may also relieve some symptoms. If your symptoms are very severe, a hospital stay may be needed.
What are some treatment options for Anxiety?
Anxiety is a constant feeling of worry or fear. After a diagnosis, it is important to establish some sort of treatment plan. One thing you could do on your own is learn more about Anxiety and develop some relaxation techniques that work for you. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to help with Anxiety. This type of therapy teaches you ways to ease your symptoms and get back to everyday life. Some of these skills include positive self-talk and challenging your fears. Regular therapy can also be used as a form of treatment. Exposure Therapy can also be used. Exposure Therapy works by confronting your fears head-on, and is an effective form of treatment. A doctor might pair your other forms of treatment with an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. Going to a support group with other people who struggle with Anxiety could also help you find out new coping mechanisms and ways to ease your symptoms.
What should I do after being diagnosed with Panic Disorder?
A person with Panic Disorder suffers from severe panic attacks. It is always important to educate yourself when you are diagnosed with a disorder. You can research ways to calm down during a panic attack and see if those methods work for you. Psychotherapy, where a patient talks regularly with a therapist, is commonly used to treat Panic Disorder. Therapists typically use methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is designed to change how you react to a panic attack, and Exposure Therapy, which is used to help patients overcome their fears surrounding their disorder. Medication, such as Anti-Anxiety and Beta-Blockers, can also be paired with other forms of treatment.
Finding the right treatment for you can be stressful and seem impossible. However, finding the right treatment is trial and error. You could try medication and not get any better, but try Psychotherapy and see yourself start to improve. It is important to not give up when searching for the right treatment plan. Almost every mental disorder can reach some kind of recovery through treatment, whether it be learning to cope with your disorder or it going away completely!
Resources
“Depression (Major Depressive Disorder).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Feb. 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007.
“Depression: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression.
“Anxiety Disorders.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 May 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967.
“Managing and Treating Anxiety.” Managing and Treating Anxiety - Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-treatment-options.
“Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms.
Kylee Roberts, MH Virtual Assistant
Co-written by Amber Madden, NCC, LPCC-S
