Help with a psychology question re: anxiety/depression?
Discuss and evaluate 3 therapeutic techniques for the treatment of depression/anxiety.
Ok am getting myself all in a muddle – how would you approach the above question. I think I’m confusing myself with therapeutic techniques and the different perspectives on mental disorders. I was thinking of starting off like this:
Discuss what anxiety/mood disorders are and what are the symptoms…Discuss the current popular generalised, eclectic approach to the treatment of mental disorders, combining aspects of different approaches. Refer to Acierno et al (1993) about a combination of therapies benefitting panic disorder sufferers.
Then I get stuck! I’m not sure what is expected…do I now discuss 3 types of therapy? If so any suggestions? Should I be discussing any of the actual mental illnesses?
To clarify I have a two hour exam next week – 50 MCQ’s and two essay questions – of which this is one which I am preparing for, so I’d guess I have 1/2 hr for this question!
Having done Year 12 Psychology last year, my advice would be to give a brief description of anxiety/depression and then say something like “there are a number of different techniques used to treat these conditions, such as…”
Then describe the first and evaluate it, describe the second and evaluate it, and describe the third and evaluate it.
Discuss is fairly similar to describe in exam situations.
Make sure you are direct in answering the question being asked – this is especially important when you are in an exam and have a limited amount of time!
Good luck with your exams
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms & Treatments : What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Related Blogs
Related Blogs on anxiety disorder symptoms and treatments
Does anyone know the methods of adjustment with panic attacks / anxiety?
I am now 16 years old who suffer from anxiety notice severe or panic disorder since I was 13. I tried everything, from 8 different drugs to acupuncture biofeedback. I see a theripist twice a week and I'm taking Cymbalta. Me changed schools and my current grades, relationships, and my life was greatly affected quilaty. I really want my life back, if anyone has suggestions or anything I really appreciate it a lot. Thank you.
One answer I read on, "if you believe that more is more peaceful calm." Although this is a good idea, as a former panic attack patient when it comes to think more calmly as the panic even more because you know that int the back of his mind there crazy chest pains and numbness in the arm that can not be explained. Even if they do not explain what matter because they continue to worsen. Moreover they feel that they are all the time and it becomes frustrating. At 16 I really was opposed to drugs for the brain is only the development and introduction of a chemical that messes with the adoption and reuptake of neurotransmitters sounds dangerous to me. Add to this study, Eli Lilly said that patients in clinical trials treated with Cymbalta for GAD has been a 46% improvement in symptoms of anxiety, compared with 32% for those taking placebo, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. "First, Exactly how do you measure anxiety? Hamilton Anxiety Scale was created 50 years and has been used in the study in 2007, makes no sense to me with all progress in recent years. In addition, this system uses an object that allows the base interviewer. Now that I've gotten out of the way, I realized comments you mentioned that bio is everything you've tried? I know you go to a therapist twice a week, what are you doing here? To be honest, Basic information is really useful and not even truly accepted by health professionals because there is no proof that it works to try something. If you time I recommend you start writing in a newspaper if it does not. Focusing on the moments where you have very bad anxiety. Write down what happens before and after experiencing a seizure Panic in the next and see if you can connect to an event occurs. This can take months or even years, but it is something that causes anxiety, but it is necessary for introspection and belief. Studies show that people who are very passive tend to anxiety and that, essentially, that the world march in the feet and never do anything with the confidence to solve problems or dealing with difficult situations. If you have any problem must be attacked with aggression, we must, I think you'll agree, just hard work to understand what they need to grow and prosper and try to focus less on symptoms of anxiety because you never can hurt. Yo, I'm sure you've done after the anxiety that is three years.
Acupressure for Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Palpitations
Herbs and other natural remedies are increasingly popular alternative to prescription drugs for the treatment of social anxiety. Although anti-drug chemical based on anxiety are not working properly, often can be habit-forming or cause side effects, whereas treatment for social anxiety herbs are considered safer and usually no dependence or addiction. But because the FDA does not evaluate carefully all natural treatments, most herbal treatments for social anxiety in the market are simply not effective.
However, certain herbs are potent anti-exposure effects of anxiety, and a handful of treatments herbal Social anxiety demonstrated its ability to relieve anxiety effectively when manufactured properly and administered in appropriate doses. Based treatments of plants from social anxiety are more likely to successfully relieve your anxiety are those containing herbs backed by solid clinical research (it ie reduction of effective social anxiety in multiple well-designed studies). And it is absolutely crucial to take medication for anxiety herbal extracts offers of herbs in the doses tested and skills.
1. (Valeriana officinalis) or, simply, Valerian is a plant sample to relieve anxiety in clinical trials. Standard extracts of valerian, with a minimum of 0.8% Valerenic acid, the active ingredient, which works best. Valerian extract works rapidly, often within an hour, when taken in doses of several hundred milligrams, and can take up to three or four times a day.
2. Preview Green Tea L-Theanine (an amino acid) is another treatment for anxiety herbal a significant anti-anxiety effect. Many people claim that L-Theanine works, and the fight against drugs prescription anti-anxiety, but not L-Theanine is addictive or addiction. Relatively few herbal treatments for anxiety claim to contain "L-Theanine" but actually contain a low quality green tea extract with a small amount of L-thiamine, so make sure you are taking medications for anxiety herbal with 98% or 99% pure L-Theanine (as Suntheanine About the Author:
A panic attack is an intense episode of sudden anxiety, often characterized by sweating, lightheadedness, elevated heart rate, and shortness of breath. But what are the causes of these episodes?
Often there is no known immediate cause or trigger, however a variety of connections have been observed by people who experience panic attacks and those who try to help them, and these may be factors for you if you suffer from these episodes of anxiety.
If you’re trying to stop panic attacks from happening you probably won’t be very interested in hearing that there’s some evidence of a genetic factor. Studies on identical twins raised apart have shown that if one twin suffers from an anxiety disorder, it will be found in the other twin much more often than you would expect from people who have never met each other.
This is interesting, but it doesn’t do much good if you’re trying to cure panic attacks. A more useful connection might be the one seen between stimulants such as coffee and panic attacks.
Caffeine intensifies the effects of the hormones that are elevated in survival situations, such as epinephrine or adrenaline. In fact a high dose of caffeine can cause a panic attack in someone who doesn’t normally get them, so if you already suffer from them you may want to consider avoiding coffee. This goes double for fat burner supplements like yohimbine and ephedrine.
On the other hand, if you drink coffee heavily and suffer from panic attacks you should be careful about how quickly you cut it out of your diet. Withdrawal from coffee, alcohol, and many other drugs can trigger anxiety attacks.
Not all of the things associated with anxiety attacks are biological or genetic. For example people with extreme phobias experience panic attacks in the presence of the thing they fear. A person with a fear of spiders might start hyperventilating and feeling nauseous when they see one crawling towards them, and someone with a fear of heights might start feeling dizzy and claustrophobic on a balcony.
Major life events can also be associated with panic attacks. Divorce, the death of a family member, and other major changes can result in anxiety ranging from mild to extreme.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders, annually affecting more than 20 million Americans. Anxiety which interferes with normal activities like going outside or interacting with other people. Anxiety attacks are the most extreme example of an anxiety reaction. Anxiety disorders fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. When anxiety reaches a level at which the symptoms cause the sufferer to experience symptoms which exceed those normally experienced during an appropriate anxiety reaction, an anxiety attack is formed. Anxiety reactions are formed in the subconscious mind by a small organ called the Amygdala. Anxiety attacks can be eliminated very simply. Because anxiety attacks and high anxiety are the result of a learning process in the subconscious mind which causes the amygdala to react inappropriately, it can be ‘un-learned’ in the same way. Anxiety attacks are strong sensations that for many people creates the feeling of dying or going crazy. Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. People with anxiety disorders often have a family history of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or substance abuse.
Anxiety attacks usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational, the perceived danger is very real. Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks / anxiety attacks include racing heart, hyperventilation or breathing difficulties, as well as chest pain, nausea or dizziness, headaches, shaking and trembling, and many more. Anxiety can also exacerbate many pre-existing medical conditions, such as ulcers, hypertension, and respiratory conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, anxiety is associated with mitral valve prolapse, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic tension headaches. Behavioural therapy – performed with a mental health professional to help gain control over unwanted behaviour. Cognitive therapy – similar to behavioural therapy but dealing with unhelpful and unproductive thoughts patterns.Anxiety medications can be habit forming and may have unwanted side effects, so be sure to research your options.
Medication – A short prescription of benzodiazepine tablets, such as diazepam, may be helpful in relieving short-term stress-related anxieties. Beta blockers are the best drug class to control physical symptoms of anxiety & panic attack and are normaly prescribed to prevent rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling related symptoms. Buspirone is another medicine that is prescribed in the short-term to relieve anxiety. Antidepressants such as paroxetine may be prescribed for certain anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and OCD, and when anxiety is associated with depression. Group therapy – with one or two specialised therapists, particularly helpfully for certain conditions such as difficultly relating to others or being scrutinised by others. Psychoeducation – recognition by the patient that they have a treatable medical condition, and self-education through books and websites, and mental health professionals.
Anxiety and Anxiety Attacks Treatment Tips
1. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
2. Medication is sometimes used in the short-term to alleviate severe symptoms so that other forms of therapy can be pursued.
3. Relaxation techniques – Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, and guided imagery may reduce anxiety.
4. Biofeedback – Using sensors that measure physiological arousal brought on by anxiety.
5. Hypnotherapy – Hypnosis for anxiety is conducted by a clinical hypnotherapist.
Anxiety disorders are a condition where a person is clinically diagnosed of not being capable of handling his or her emotions properly. Because of certain situations, he or she may have a sudden outburst of emotions which may lead to utter depression, mania and other health risks. But anxiety disorders can be treated using certain medications. Here are some of the common anxiety disorder medications used to treat patients with the said health condition:
SSRIs – Anxiety disorder medications of this kind fight the onset of the hormone “serotonin,” which usually causes the body system to go unstable, resulting in anxiety attacks. Through SSRIs, one can maintain his calm and cool nature, at least for a certain period of time.
Beta blockers – Anxiety disorders can also be caused of certain fears or phobias. While the serotonin levels remain consistent, you may still suffer from an anxiety attack because of sudden fear, and this can be treated immediately by beta blockers. Beta blockers prevent fear hormones from setting into the system, thus bringing back your normal “self” after an anxiety attack.
Tricyclic antidepressants – Anxiety disorders can also be caused by utter depression, and through this form of anxiety disorder medications or in this case “happy pills,” you are kept far from thinking about sadness and bad ideas. These medications in turn keep your mindset in a happy, cheerful state, thus preventing you from suffering from a new anxiety attack.
Mild tranquilizers – There are times when anxiety disorders become violent or physically stressful. In response to this kind of problem, anxiety disorder medications such as mild tranquilizers are used to calm a person down while in the middle of an attack. These tranquilizers keep you sedated and even put you to sleep so your body can rest for a while, and thus you can regain your normal, cheerful disposition when you wake up.
Obviously though, taking medication does come with its side effects and risks and if you were even thinking about the use of anxiety disorder medication then you should consult a professional first!
About the Author:
Want more tips on how to handle anxiety disorders and attacks? What if I share a secret way with you which would allow you to defeat anxiety disorders for good, no matter how bad your situation is?
Your life will never be the same from this point on. Read on to find out how to control and defeat anxiety before it’s too late by CLICKING HERE
Should I be concerned about my physical health or is it just anxiety?
I went to the ER about 2 months ago because of an anxiety attack. He referred me to see a phychologist. He said I’m developing generalized anxiety disorder. I worry all the time about me health because of the anxiety symptoms. I don’t get attacks anymore…I’m just in a state of anxiety all the time. I’ve had a blood test, EKG, and a thyroid test. I have symptoms like chest pain, tingly arms & hands, headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue etc.
The best thing u can do is go to a psychiatrist. I’m sure he will put u on antidepressants or maybe just an anti-anxiety med. They really work. Also, if u have the resources, you may want to see a therapist , counselor, or psychologist to talk with and hopefully uncover some of these reasons 4 your anxiety. You can’t live like this, get help; its everywhere. i wish u the best of luck!
Countless individuals who suffer from anxiety live their lives in fear and never genuinely delight in all of the pleasures that life has to offer them. Anxiety can develop when fear, nervousness, paranoia, and worry have been set in place and have become prevailing. This is a state of mind that focuses on negative emotions and may be the issue of an underlying traumatic experience.
Although anxiety starts in the mind, it will strike the body as well. Some of the physical symptoms associated with anxiety are a result of the pressures of fear and panic. These symptoms may comprise of shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and increased perspiration. It is very likely that the fear may also lead to a feeling of an upset stomach or nausea.
One of the primary physical results from anxiety may be that when the body is in a fearful condition, the immune system becomes depressed. When someone faces a real fear or peril, they experience what is known as the “fight or flight” reaction. This reaction is a commonplace component to human survival and is an inborn reaction to a perceived danger. For those who are living with anxiety, panic, and fear for a extended period of time, they are subjecting their immune systems to a state of consistent suppression. This may result in a susceptibility to infections, sickness, and also disease.
Accompanying anxiety are phobias and fears. Numerous people face common fears all through their lives and this is something we all expect throughout life, it is when individuals develop unhealthy fears for things that aren’t logical, or have a totally exaggerated reaction to a fear is when the phobia begins to interrupt their normal life.
In reality, the fear may become so severe that just performing ordinary day-to-day tasks become virtually unthinkable to do. Along with the physical side effects, anxiety is devastating because it robs the sufferer of deriving any enjoyment from life. Scientific fact-finding has decided that practically twice as many women as men suffer from anxiety, fear, and panic related conditions.
Life is far too short and precious to waste it in fear and not experiencing the joy and pleasure that is yours to delight in. There are also other anxiety related illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it is very important to look for help for any anxiety related disorder that you are confronted with.
Psychiatrists may suggest a course of therapy along with medication to help you cope with the fears. Many of the medications that are frequently prescribed may have side effects and have to be taken according to their instructions.
To manage your fear and live your life in peacefulness, security, and stability will be your ultimate rewards. It may be a long hard travel of intensified therapy and other treatments, but it will be well worth it.
Aromatherapy can assist you in countless ways as well. For instance, when you are feeling afraid, you can relish the physical and emotional benefits provided by an aromatic bath. By bathing in tranquil and nerve calming herbs, you can contend with fear naturally and let go of tension and anxiety. Add 10 drops of Chamomile to a hot bath for a relaxing anxiety-soothing bath. Be sure to soak for at least 20 minutes to realize the full benefits. You can also make a fabulous massage oil by using 6 drops of Bergamot essential oil, 6 drops of Clary Sage, and 3 drops of Frankincense. Combine these essential oils with 1-ounce of carrier oil, such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond for a wonderful fear relieving massage.
About the Author:
Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information on Today’s Issues. Info on Anxiety-Panic Attacks visit Anxiety-Panic Attack
For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com
If you suffer from social anxiety disorder then you may be wondering what treatment is right for you. It is important that you understand your social anxiety disorder so that you can treat it and ultimately cure yourself of it.
Social anxiety is a psychological condition which causes overwhelming fear of situations or events that require social interaction or performance in front of other people.
The anxiety often activates physical symptoms such as blushing, rapid heart beat, sweating, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and many others and that can interfere with daily activities and socializing. And if this condition worsens, like keeps on recurring for more than six months and in most days than not without any reasonable explanations, this can become an immobilizing disorder.
A person with this disorder may fear social events and may result to being home-bound. But, there is cure to this illness. Social anxiety disorder treatment includes professional counseling and anxiety medications.
Treatments such as psychological counseling and medications, such as antidepressants which help reduce associated anxiety and depression, are both effective to those with this condition. The initial treatment is based on the severity of your emotional and physical symptoms and your ability to function in daily life activities.
People with social anxiety condition usually also have depression. In, addition, they may have problems with alcohol and substance abuse, therefore, your health professional may ask certain questions to know whether how severe your drinking or drug abuse can be. Usually, it goes undetected for years before treatment is sought and by that time, you may have developed behaviors that give room for the fears.
Types of counseling of social anxiety disorder treatment may include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy- helps sufferers identify their anxieties and the situations that provoke the anxiety. This may feel a little uneasy on your part, but this is an important part for a successful recovery.
Treatment may include several types of cognitive-behavioral therapy, like:
Exposure therapy- you will be guided by a professional counselor to imagine you are facing your feared situation until such time, you will no longer fear it, such as going to public places.
Cognitive restructuring- helps you learn to identify and improve thinking patterns in order for you to cope up with social events.
Symptom management skills- this teaches you how to minimize stress by using proper breathing techniques and other physical responses to anxiety.
Supportive therapy- this type of therapy may include education about the illness, family therapy- to support loved ones with this condition, and group therapy or support groups- to seek support from others who have the same condition.
Medications for social anxiety disorder include:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first type of medication;
Benzodiazepines are for relieving anxiety and not for those with drug problems;
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for relieving depression and anxiety;
Beta-blockers are taken to reduce anxiety and seldom used to treat anxiety symptoms like rapid heart beat;
Venlafaxine helps relieve anxiety and depression;
Ongoing treatment usually includes continuous psychological counselling and regular checkups to monitor if medications must be added to your treatment. Regular and continuous treatments are the best approach to treat your anxiety. There are many ways to treat social anxiety disorder treatment, some of which may surprise you.
About the Author:
Do you or does someone you know suffer from anxiety or
depression? 1000s of people who suffer from anxiety have been cured in the comfort of their own home without anxiety
medication, psychological visits and herbal remedies. Find out
what will i consist for anxiety psychologist or psychiatrist?
i really want to overcome anxeity now!so plz help thanks you
i want to over come PSTD,seperation anxiety,and,social anxiety
a psychiatrist will give you an evaluation, and if you need it, prescription medications. i work with people who take meds for their anxiety and the rights meds can be so helpful.
while taking meds, it’s very helpful to work with a counselor or therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. they’ll help you discover what triggers your anxieties, and find ways to change the way you think and behave so that the anxiety will be managed and eventually eliminated. it’s perfectly okay to try one counselor/therapist and see if you get along well – 2 to 4 sessions should be enough for you to see if you like working with the therapist. and if you don’t, then on to the next person until you find someone that you like.
i hope you feel better soon.
Medication for Social Anxiety Disorder? Dr. Clarity, Psychologist, Weighs In
