What Are the Treatments for Chronic Anxiety?

Living with chronic anxiety can be distressing due to the emotional and physical symptoms that are experienced with the various conditions. However, chronic anxiety can be successfully treated. Trial-and-error with different types of treatment approaches may be necessary to find the appropriate remedy for any given anxiety disorder.

Types of Chronic Anxiety

• Anxiety disorders are diagnosed according to the types of symptoms that a person is experiencing. Types of chronic-anxiety disorders include panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Visiting a mental-health professional to discuss symptoms can help someone identify the type of chronic anxiety disorder that is present.

Psychotherapy

• Establishing a relationship with a trusted therapist is the first step in benefiting from counseling for a chronic-anxiety disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques can help teach patients how to change the distorted thinking that can contribute to the experience of anxiety. Therapists may also employ relaxation exercises during sessions that can be recreated by the patient at home to calm anxiety. Lifestyle changes such as limiting use of alcohol, eating a healthy diet and regular exercise also can help in resolving symptoms of anxiety.

Medications

• Many different medications are available for treatment of chronic anxiety. Talking with a physician is helpful in determining what type of drug will be most effective. Antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft), mood stabilizers (Depakote, Tegretol), alpha blockers (clonidine, guanfacine), atypical antipsychotics (Risperdal, Seroquel) and anxiolytics (alprazolam, clonazepam) are all used in some form to treat anxiety symptoms. Anxiety medication can be taken daily or used on an as needed (prn) basis. The type of medication prescribed will be dependent on the diagnosis and types of symptoms that are present.