Anxiety Therapy: Helping You Help Your Disorder
Have you experienced a panic attack where you suddenly can't breathe, your skin is clammy, and you feel as if your chest is going to explode? Anxiety therapy can help you cope with situations that trigger this particular response in your body. Doctors and researchers are unsure what causes anxiety disorders or panic attacks, suggesting things from environmental factors to stress to low levels of chemicals in the body. No matter what causes it, there are ways to help you cope with it.
Behavioural Therapy
If your doctor diagnoses an anxiety therapy treatment, he or she may suggest behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, or both. Behavioural therapy helps the patient identify the trigger of the panic attack and then teaches them techniques that will help reduce or even stop the anxiety attack from occurring when presented with the trigger. These techniques could include relaxation and deep breathing in order to forestall the feeling of hyperventilation or passing out.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy teaches patients how the symptoms of an anxiety disorder manifest themselves based on the thoughts the individual is having. It teaches them how to change those thought patterns and be more aware of their cognitive processes in order to keep the attacks from coming on. When combined with behavioural therapy, most patients learn how to confront and deal with the situations that trigger anxiety attacks in the controlled and safe environment of their doctor's office.
Medication
While cognitive and behavioural therapy is good, some patients do need the help of anti-anxiety medication. The patient is managed by both their therapist, who is helping them learn the cognitive and behavioural techniques, and their physician. Not everyone will need medication to help them cope with the symptoms and stresses of anxiety attacks.
If you are suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks, seek the help of a medical professional. With patience and the proper care, you can learn to overcome them and live your life productively.