When we talk about anxiety disorders it is inevitable to talk about treatment, how can we cure this illness? what is the best approach to it? The scientific literature suggests that, in the treatment of anxiety disorders, that psychological interventions can be very effective. However, there are some patients where they aren't working optimally and introducing medication can be quite effective. Having said that, if you are to face the decision on how to treat an anxiety disorder there are important things to consider when questioning what treatment to use.
Treating anxiety disorders with medication is a practice that has a long history. Yet, nowadays, this type of treatment has become very controversial because of the numerous side effects which anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs may have. Another reason which has limited the prescription of these drugs is the fact that tolerance to them can be easily developed. There are some cases in which the positive results for which the anti-anxiety drugs are prescribed are overstepped by the numerous side effects. People taking this type of drugs may experience dizziness, drowsiness, memory problems and confusion. Also the patients may become addictive to those substances or may experience depressive states.Benzodiazepines may even produce the side effects similar to those conditions for which they have been prescribed in the first placeThis means that a patient suffering from anxiety can fall deeper in this condition because of the medication that was supposed to cure him. The elder people are more prone to this type of side effects.There have been cases in which people who took this type of drugs have taken additional medication without the doctor’s advice and died because of the toxic combination. Also, elderly people and pregnant women are strongly advised not to take antidepressants. However, it is necessary to note that they are not used for curing the condition, but rather to alleviate some of its symptoms.
When it comes to treating anxiety disorders, research shows that therapy is usually the most effective option. That’s because anxiety therapy–unlike anxiety medication–treats more than just the symptoms of the problem. Therapy can help you uncover the underlying causes of your worries and fears; learn how to relax; look at situations in new, less frightening ways; and develop better coping and problem-solving skills. Therapy gives you the tools to overcome anxiety and teaches you how to use them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely-used therapy for anxiety disorders. Research has shown it to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, among many other conditions.Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses negative patterns and distortions in the way we look at the world and ourselves.The basic premise of cognitive behavioral therapy is that our thoughts–not external events–affect the way we feel. In other words, it’s not the situation you’re in that determines how you feel, but your perception of the situation.
In conclusion I agree that Behavioral therapy treatment may have better long time benefits than medication drugs. I think that the approach should be with therapy treatment, since we learn how to cope with all the difficulties we are experiencing and progressively we start thinking and acting in a way that decreases stress and anxiety. On the other hand, medication drugs only alleviate the symptoms and we can grow dependent on them or we can even develop tolerance, moreover second effects can overstep the positive effects on the drugs and affect our daily activities.
References:
1.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/anxiety-anxieux-eng.php
2.http://publications.cpa-apc.org/browse/documents/67
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