Types of Therapy for Anxiety and What To Expect
While nervousness or worry is a natural response to a perceived threat, some people may experience chronic levels that can lead to anxiety when coping with life-changing events. If your anxiety level becomes consistent, overwhelming, and disruptive, it may develop into a mental health difficulty. When this happens, it is best to visit a mental health therapist.
Depending on the severity of your experience, anxiety can be treated through a combination of medication and therapy or only therapy. Expecting a quick fix is not realistic. Working through anxiety may take some time and it will require patience to do so.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, consider seeking mental health services:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excessive worrying and difficulty controlling the thoughts
- Sleeping problems, fatigue, and insomnia
- Muscle tension, and headaches
- Digestive problems
- Irritability
- Low self-esteem
- Rapid heart rate
Is anxiety treatment in Dubai available? Yes, it is!
What are the types of therapy for anxiety and what to expect during treatment?
There are many different types of treatments for anxiety. The most common treatments are the ones listed below; however, it is important to note that there are many viable options other than the following.
Dialectical behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is a highly effective type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. While this method was originally used to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT is now used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety.
When you opt for DBT, your treatment program will focus on you learning to both accept your anxiety and actively work to adapt to it. It will teach you to accept yourself for who you are while trying to learn new coping skills and resilience strategies.
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychoanalytic Therapy is a Freudian model which suggests that symptoms of anxiety are the reflection of the client’s unconscious conflicts. The goal of this therapy for anxiety disorder is to resolve these conflicts.
It is considered one of the most intense treatment methods. You and your therapist will work on examining your thoughts, fears, and desires to better understand how you view yourself. This particular anxiety treatment takes a bit longer than other therapies, yet has been shown to have lasting effects, as it involves identifying patterns, thought processes and what you need to do to overcome your anxiety.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a treatment where your psychologist will work with you to teach you various ways how to identify and manage the factors that trigger or contribute to your anxiety.
You will learn the basics of identifying the thoughts that trigger your anxiety. During this treatment, you will learn how to replace negative thoughts with more realistic ones. Additionally, you will learn different methods to reduce disruptive behaviors associated with anxiety. During your therapy, your psychologist will work with you and encourage you in anxiety-provoking activities. The goal of this part of the treatment is to help you learn that your feared or expected negative outcomes are unlikely to happen and if they do, you will have the necessary tools to work through them.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of anxiety, especially when you’re surrounded by people, you may need to talk to your therapist about what psychotherapy treatment is more appropriate for your current condition. Human Relations Institute and Clinics are a psychology-based practice based in Dubai, UAE, providing mental health and psychological services to individuals and businesses in the Middle East and abroad