5C-2 Anxiety & Anxiety Disorder: Treatment Options

Not all anxiety disorders are treated the same. Different types of anxiety disorders require different ways to treat. Review the list below to learn about treatment options:

Medication

Medications cannot cure the disorder. However, medications may help a person lead a more productive life. The most common meds used to control anxiety symptoms are:

• Antidepressants
• Antianxiety drugs
• Beta-blockers

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or counseling. In this therapy, a person talks about the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that cause them distress. The therapist helps the person find ways to cope with these triggers in the future.

Psychotherapists use different methods that include:

• Psychoanalysis
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Cognitive-analytical therapy
• Desensitizing
• Operant conditioning
• Family or group counseling

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy works well for treating anxiety disorders.

With this approach, the person learns to recognize and change thinking patterns that create fears. They also learn healthy new ways of behaving when they experience an anxiety attack.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help teach what triggers panic attacks. Knowing what triggers panic attacks can help stop future panic attacks or make them less intense.