About anxiety disorder treatment
An anxiety disorder can generally be treated well. The first step in treatment is to explore what kind of fear is affecting your life. Based on this, we propose a treatment plan that may include:
- Identifying the underlying causes of the fear
- Linking this fear to possible events or experiences
- Reducing possible chronic overload and stress
During treatment you will learn how to recognize physical reactions to anxiety and how to influence these reactions through breathing exercises and other techniques. Depending on your situation, we also work on breaking patterns such as avoidance behavior, escape behavior, excessive work pressure, drinking habits or the use of medication.
Treatment can reduce anxiety, physical complaints and worrying, while also improving sleep. Avoidance behavior will also gradually decrease.
Therapies for anxiety disorders
Psychologists can apply different types of therapy during treatment. The most commonly used therapy for anxiety disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing unhealthy thinking patterns and behaviors that maintain anxiety. You learn how to recognize and break these harmful patterns so that fear decreases. You will also learn to identify factors that contribute to your anxiety.
This therapy may include exposure therapy. During exposure therapy you are gradually exposed to the situation or object that causes anxiety, under the guidance of a psychologist. This helps you build confidence and learn to manage your anxiety more effectively over time.
ACT therapy
ACT therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a form of behavioral therapy. In ACT you learn to deal with unpleasant feelings of fear in a flexible way. You learn to take a healthy distance from anxious thoughts (Acceptance) and to take meaningful action toward a valuable life (Commitment). The essence of ACT is that fighting unavoidable circumstances can prevent you from living a meaningful life.
EMDR therapy
If your anxiety disorder is caused by a traumatic event, EMDR therapy can also be effective. During EMDR you recall the traumatic event while following the therapist’s finger movements with your eyes. This process places a load on your working memory, allowing the traumatic memory to fade and reducing feelings of anxiety.
Breathing and relaxation exercises
Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, also known as body-oriented therapy, can support the treatment process. These techniques help you learn how to calm your body and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Sometimes one type of therapy is used, but a combination of different therapies can also be effective. At the start of treatment you and your therapist discuss which form of therapy best suits your symptoms and preferences. In this way the treatment is tailored to your situation, so that you feel supported, understood and helped.
Contact Psychologen Amsterdam
Do you recognize your symptoms and do you need help, or do you have a question about the treatment of your anxiety disorder? Then call for an appointment or send a message to Psychologen Amsterdam.
