Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of psychiatric
disorders, yet less than 30% of individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders seek
treatment (Lepine, 2002).
People with anxiety disorders can benefit from a variety of
treatments and services.
Following an accurate diagnosis, possible treatments include
(Barlow, 2001; NIMH, 2006) psychological treatments and mediation.
Psychological treatments
Psychotherapy is almost always the treatment of choice except in cases where anxiety is so severe that immediate relief is necessary to
restore functioning and to prevent immediate and severe consequences. This includes the
following:
_ Behavioral therapies: These focus on using techniques such as guided imagery, relaxation training, biofeedback (to control stress and muscle
tension); progressive desensitization, flooding as means to reduce anxiety responses
or eliminate specific phobias. The person is gradually exposed to the object or
situation that is feared. At first, the exposure may be only through pictures or audiotapes.
Later, if possible, the person actually confronts the feared object or situation. Often
the therapist will accompany him or her to provide support and guidance.
_ Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):
In this therapy, people
learn to deal with fears by modifying the ways they think and behave. A major aim
of CBT and behavioral therapy is to reduce anxiety by eliminating beliefs
or behaviors that help to maintain the anxiety disorder. Research has shown that
CBT is effective for several anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder and social phobia
(Herbert et al., 2009).
It has two components. The cognitive
component helps people change
thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears. The behavioral component of CBT seeks to change people's reactions to anxiety-provoking
situations. A key element of this component is exposure, in which people confront
the things they fear, i.e., CBT addresses underlying “automatic” thoughts and feelings
that result from fear, as well as specific techniques to reduce or replace maladaptive behavior patterns.
_ Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy centers on resolution of conflicts and stresses, as well as the developmental aspects of anxiety disorders solely
through talk therapy.
Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health
professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor to learn
how to deal with problems like anxiety disorders (Knekt et al., 2008).
_ Psychodynamic therapy: This therapy, first suggested by Freud, is based on the premise that primary sources of abnormal behavior are
unresolved past conflicts and the possibility that unacceptable unconscious impulses will
enter consciousness.
_ Family therapy and parent training:
Here the focus is on the
family and its dynamics. This is based on the assumption that the individuals
of a family cannot improve without understanding the conflicts that are to be found
in the interactions of the family members. Thus, each member is expected to contribute
to the resolution of the problem being addressed (American Psychological Association,
2004; Feldman, 2004).
