Psychoanalytic Treatment of Anxiety

Psychoanalytic treatment for anxiety starts with a mental health professional. Medication, therapy or a combination of the two can be beneficial with the help from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Assessment

• Using the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) as a guide, a therapist will screen a patient by asking questions and observing a patient's patterns of behavior.

Diagnosis

• According to the DSM IV, a patient with an anxiety disorder exhibits some or all of indicated symptoms: increased heart rate, tensed muscles, irrational fear, chills or hot flushes, nausea and abdominal stress, shortness of breath, and other related conditions.

Medication

• Several medications may be prescribed to those diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Three major classifications of drugs are used, including antidepressants such as fluoxetine and paroxetine; buspirones; and benzodiazepines like clonazepam and alprazolam.

Therapy

• Standard "talk" therapy can be effective in individuals with anxiety disorders, though cognitive behavior therapy has become respected for producing good results among anxiety sufferers. Cognitive behavior therapy provides tools and thought exercises for overcoming anxiety symptoms and panic attacks.

Prevention

• Anxiety affects a broad range of people at any age. Women, however, are twice as likely to develop anxiety disorders. People that were exposed to traumatic circumstances as a child are more likely to develop anxiety. Illness and substance abuse can also edge people towards anxiety and other mental disorders, such as depression.