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Best Practices for Anxiety Treatment | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Doc Snipes・2 minutes read

Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes discusses best practices for treating anxiety based on recent research, emphasizing tailored treatments and identifying common triggers. The presentation covers various strategies, including therapy, medication, mindfulness, and self-compassion, to effectively manage anxiety triggers and promote holistic well-being.

Insights

  • Tailored treatment for anxiety requires identifying individual triggers like abandonment issues or physical symptoms to provide effective care.
  • Anxiety management strategies encompass counseling, medications, physical interventions, and supportive treatments to address the complex interplay of symptoms.
  • Genetic vulnerability plays a significant role in anxiety disorders, impacting medication effectiveness, substance dependence, and the development of generalized anxiety disorder.

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Recent questions

  • What are common triggers for anxiety?

    Common triggers for anxiety include abandonment issues, physical symptoms like a racing heart, and irrational thoughts. Identifying these triggers is essential for effective treatment tailored to individual needs.

  • What are the best practices for anxiety management?

    Best practices for anxiety management include counseling interventions, medications, physical interventions, and supportive treatments. These approaches aim to address the complex interplay of symptoms associated with anxiety and coexisting conditions like depression.

  • How can anxiety be effectively treated?

    Anxiety can be effectively treated through psychological therapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. Cognitive behavioral therapy, including acceptance and commitment therapy, has been proven effective in managing anxiety disorders.

  • What are the risks associated with benzodiazepine use?

    The use of benzodiazepines is cautioned against due to increased mortality rates, risk of dependence, and potential long-term effects like dementia. PRN use of benzodiazepines can lead to dependence, especially for individuals seeking relief from anxiety symptoms.

  • How can individuals manage anxiety symptoms effectively?

    Individuals can manage anxiety symptoms effectively by incorporating strategies like guided imagery, mindfulness, physical therapy, and aromatherapy. Supportive care, establishing a sleep routine, proper nutrition, and addressing hormonal imbalances can also aid in managing anxiety symptoms.

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Summary

00:00

Anxiety Treatment: Triggers, Management, and Support

  • The episode was pre-recorded as part of a live continuing education webinar, with CEUs available at AllCEUs.com/Anxiety-CEU.
  • Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes hosts a presentation on best practices for treating anxiety, focusing on current research from PubMed within the past five years.
  • Exploring common causes for anxiety symptoms is crucial for tailored treatment based on individual triggers.
  • Identifying common triggers for anxiety, such as abandonment issues or physical symptoms like a racing heart, is essential for effective treatment.
  • Current best practices for anxiety management include counseling interventions, medications, physical interventions, and supportive treatments.
  • Anxiety can be debilitating, often coexisting with depression, leading to a complex interplay of symptoms that need to be addressed comprehensively.
  • Anxiety triggers addiction relapse, increased physical pain, sleep problems, and chronic stress, affecting overall well-being.
  • Abandonment, rejection, irrational thoughts, and unhealthy relationships are common themes underlying anxiety, necessitating targeted interventions.
  • Assessing clients' issues, including loss of control, negative self-talk, and physical complaints, helps in understanding and addressing anxiety triggers.
  • Anxiety can be triggered by death, loss, job insecurity, and shattered dreams, requiring support and guidance to navigate these challenges effectively.

15:20

Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach

  • Phobias, like fear of spiders or snakes, often intertwine with anxiety related to sickness and death.
  • Anxiety can be triggered by fear of failure, especially in cultures that emphasize success and perfectionism.
  • Anxiety, depression, and substance disorders are frequently comorbid, necessitating a holistic approach to treatment.
  • Psychological therapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both are recommended for treating anxiety disorders.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, including approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy, has been proven effective.
  • The etiology of anxiety disorders involves a mix of psychosocial factors, genetic vulnerability, and ineffective coping skills.
  • Genetic vulnerability impacts susceptibility to anxiety, effectiveness of medications, and potential for substance dependence.
  • First-line drugs for anxiety include SSRIs and SNRIs, with Effexor emerging as an effective option in recent years.
  • Genetic variations play a role in the development of generalized anxiety disorder and influence medication effectiveness.
  • The use of benzodiazepines is now cautioned against due to increased mortality rates and risk of dependence after prolonged use.

31:43

Managing Anxiety: Medication, Strategies, and Supportive Care

  • PRN use of benzodiazepines can lead to dependence, especially for individuals with anxiety who find relief with these medications.
  • Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly for those using them daily for six months or more.
  • Benzodiazepines do not effectively treat depression and may increase suicide risk, especially when used concurrently with anxiety.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants like Seroquel can be an alternative for anxiety treatment, although side effects like weight gain and fatigue may be a concern.
  • Buspirone, an anti-depressive, can help manage anxiety over time, but its long-term benefits are limited.
  • Medication for anxiety should be continued for six to twelve months, with a gradual tapering process recommended for cessation.
  • Physical signs and symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
  • Strategies to address anxiety symptoms include guided imagery, mindfulness, and physical therapy to manage pain and discomfort.
  • Hormonal imbalances, particularly in estrogen and testosterone levels, can contribute to anxiety symptoms like heart palpitations and irritability.
  • Supportive care, including establishing a sleep routine, proper nutrition, and addressing vitamin D deficiency, can help individuals manage anxiety symptoms effectively.

47:18

Managing Anxiety: Strategies for Calm and Control

  • Sunlight helps increase the release of GABA, aiding in calming down for sleep.
  • Exercise has a relaxing effect, with limited new research on exercise and anxiety.
  • Aromatherapy, especially with essential oils like lavender and chamomile, is effective for anxiety.
  • Aromatherapy can trigger neurochemical reactions through scent alone, reducing stress.
  • Clients should acknowledge and address the root cause of their anxiety triggers.
  • Distress tolerance and cognitive interventions are crucial in anxiety management.
  • Expressive writing about positive emotions for 30 days can reduce test anxiety.
  • Mindfulness is effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders, encouraging acceptance.
  • Functional analysis helps identify triggers for anxiety, aiding in prevention and mitigation.
  • Encouraging clients to focus on what they can control and accept the inevitable helps manage anxiety.

01:03:14

Effective Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Stress

  • Encourage individuals to consider alternatives when faced with cognitive distortions, particularly in personalizing situations.
  • Discourage the habit of magnifying negative events and catastrophizing outcomes, instead prompting individuals to focus on facts and high probability events.
  • Encourage problem-solving by assessing resources and potential solutions in challenging situations, such as a car crash.
  • Suggest looking for exceptions and a broader perspective rather than selective abstraction and filtering when interpreting events.
  • Remind individuals that hindsight is 20/20 and that others are often preoccupied with their own concerns, reducing the impact of past mistakes.
  • Advise against jumping to conclusions and encourage gathering all relevant information before making assumptions.
  • Recommend stepping back from situations to evaluate whether anxiety is justified by facts or merely emotional reasoning.
  • Introduce relaxation techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscular relaxation to manage anxiety and stress.
  • Foster self-esteem development by focusing on strengths, practicing self-compassion, and reframing challenges in terms of current strengths.
  • Encourage individuals to identify their needs and wants, develop healthy relationships with boundaries, and seek help when needed to manage anxiety effectively.

01:18:46

Enhancing Recovery: Neurochemical Balance and Coping Skills

  • Recovery involves addressing neurochemical imbalances, developing coping skills, tackling cognitive distortions, and boosting self-esteem. To improve health behaviors, ensure your body functions well, produce necessary neurotransmitters, enhance current coping strategies, correct cognitive distortions, and foster healthy relationships with yourself and others. To access more resources, subscribe to the podcast and YouTube channel, and participate in live webinars with Dr. Snipes at allCEUs.com/counselortoolbox. Use coupon code "counselortoolbox" for a 20% discount on multimedia continuing education and pre-certification training for counselors, therapists, and nurses at allCEUs.com.
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