There are many different ways to treat anxiety. Often the anxiety treatment used depends on the degree in which your anxiety disorder is present or the type of anxiety disorder which you suffer. Just like with other mental problems, there are different options when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Below, we list the most well-known forms of anxiety treatment, to help you find a suitable form of anxiety treatment.

Medicinal treatment anxiety?

Generally, therapeutic treatment anxiety is preferred. However, in some cases or if therapy is not enough to treat all symptoms, a doctor might prescribe a temporary medicine against anxiety.

Antidepressants in treatment anxiety?

In most cases, antidepressants are then used. Below you will find a list of the categories of antidepressants and what the names of these antidepressants are.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

  • Citalopram
  • Escitalopram
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Paroxetine
  • Sertraline

Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

  • Reboxetine

Tricyclic antidepressants(TCAs)

  • Amitriptyline
  • Clomipramine
  • Dosulepine
  • Doxepine
  • Imipramine
  • Maprotiline
  • Notriptyline

Non-selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

  • Duloxetine
  • Venlafaxine

Non-selective dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

  • Bupropion

Benzodiazepines in treatment anxiety?

Benzodiazepines have the goal of leveling off emotions. This way, anxiety has less room to manifest, so you will feel more calm. This way both your body and your mind may relax. The effect of benzodiazepines is mainly effective for constant anxiety. In case of panic attacks and compulsion neurosis they are less effective. Below you will find a list with commonly used benzodiazepines. We also mention their brand name, so that the medication can be more easily recognized.

Benzodiazepines Brand name
Alprazolam Xanax
Bromazepam Lexotanil
Chloordiazepoxide Librium
Clobazepam Frisium
Clorazepinezuur Tranxène
Diazepam Valium
Lorazepam Temesta
Oxazepam Seresta
Prazepam Reapam

It is important to note that a dependency or addiction may occur. After a while you namely get used to the product,meaning the benzodiazepines have a lessened effect. That is why you may generally not take the medication during more than 2 months. It is important to discuss taking this medication with your doctor.

Herbs against anxiety?

There is also the option of using herbs to reduce anxiety. Possible herbs which can help you in reducing your anxiety symptoms are the ones mentioned below. The way in which these herbs work, however, do depend on the symptoms that are experienced. Toning herbs

  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • St. John's wort
  • Lemon balm

Sedative herbs

  • Valerian
  • Passiflora
  • Hops

The role of therapy in treatment anxiety?

Therapy is the most effective form of anxiety treatment. In general, therapy in anxiety is made up of therapeutic interventions, inspired by the cognitive behavioral therapy. In this type of therapy, anxiety symptoms are looked at. Here, there is looked for the behavior which is caused as a result of anxious thoughts, as well as which feelings are the ones that ae linked to these symptoms and the anxious situation. Also, together with the therapist one starts to challenge and test negative constructs which lead to anxiety. This way, behavioral and thought restructuring can be started. Therapy is therefore a form of treatment where underlying anxiety constructs are dealt with, in order to reduce anxiety.

Sometimes other types of therapy are also used in treatment anxiety, depending on the type of anxiety. For example, it is known that people with general anxiety disorder are helped a lot by a Mindfulness training. It is also useful for people who, for example, experience many physical symptoms of anxiety, to follow an additional therapy where a lot of attention is given to the body. Here, you learn how to listen to your body more, for example.

Online self-help: the role in treatment anxiety?

"15Minutes4Me.com" developed an online self-help program, which uses therapeutic techniques to help you deal with anxiety from home. The program is based on a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy and systematic solution focused therapy. With the use of these therapeutic techniques, the program helps you daily in challenging negative anxiety constructs, thereby reducing your anxiety. You can follow the program from home.

The program can even be combined with other forms of therapy. Here, it is useful to let your treating healthcare provider know about all types of therapy which you follow so that they can get a full overview of your treatment anxiety.

The program can also be followed by children. A requirement here is that they have a good vocabulary and/or can ask for help when they encounter difficult terms.

Treatment anxiety? Take the anxiety test!

Would you like to know to what extent you experience anxiety symptoms and what the influence of these symptoms is? THen take our free anxiety test here!