How is anxiety treated in psychotherapy?

A summary of the strategies and techniques used in psychological therapy against anxiety.

Anxiety problems constitute one of the most frequent psychological problems among the population, and it is estimated that they are present in the form of anxiety disorder in approximately 5% of the population in Western countries.

That is why, for decades, psychologists have devoted much of our work to develop and apply effective methods of anxiety treatment.

Throughout this article we will see, in summary, how anxiety is treated in psychotherapyThe different ways in which psychologists help patients who present this kind of discomfort.

What forms can anxiety problems take?

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state that is expressed in various ways, although they all have something in common: it appears as an anticipatory reaction to possible sources of danger or risk of losing something.

It is a phenomenon present in all healthy individuals and which in most cases is adaptive (i.e., useful for our ability to survive by adapting to the environment), but which can sometimes be involved in psychopathologies or even physical illnesses.

In fact, anxiety is associated to a greater or lesser extent with psychopathologies or even physical illnesses, anxiety is associated to a greater or lesser extent with most of the psychological disorders that appear in the diagnostic manuals disorders that appear in the most commonly used diagnostic manuals. However, sometimes the anxious component is so central to the onset of psychopathology that it is considered to be the main driving force. In these cases we speak of anxiety disorders.

The most important anxiety disorders are the following:

• Phobias
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic disorder
• Separation Anxiety Disorder

On the other hand, other disorders closely linked to anxiety are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and addictions. In all these cases, the problem or a good part of it has to do with the patterns of behavior that the person adopts to alleviate the discomfort of anxiety; strategies that work more effectively than those of anxiety. of anxiety; strategies that work more or less in the short term, but worsen the situation in the medium or long term.

For example, in the case of spider phobia, the fact that we have become accustomed to fleeing quickly when we encounter these animals will make us more accustomed to this type of reaction in us, and the anticipatory anxiety will be greater. Something similar happens in all disorders associated with anxiety, because they are based on the anticipation of what will happen.

How is it treated in therapy?

These are the key ideas to understand how anxiety treatment occurs.

1. It is a gradual process

There are no magic solutions that eliminate anxiety problems overnight. The psychotherapeutic process lasts from several weeks to several months.and it requires constancy in the realization of sessions with the psychologist.

2. It is necessary to confront what generates anxiety

All forms of therapy to overcome anxiety are based on "learning" ways of dealing with what makes us feel anxious, without letting it take control of our actions. Consequently, involves becoming accustomed to enduring a certain level of discomfort or emotional discomfort for a few minutes.However, psychologists supervise and help to make this easier.

3. There are beliefs to correct

Many times, part of what keeps the anxiety disorder alive is a dysfunctional belief system. a dysfunctional belief systemwhich give more reasons to experience that state of alertness and anticipation. In psychotherapy the proper context is created so that the patients question these preconceived ideas.

4. There are routines that help to manage anxiety

On the other hand, there are a series of preventive measures that help patients to be prepared to deal adequately with moments of anxiety. to cope adequately at times when anxiety becomes very high. These have to do with maintaining a good state of physical and mental health, on the one hand, and learning some techniques to learn to relax at key moments, on the other.

Tools used in psychotherapy to overcome anxiety

These are the main therapeutic resources used to treat anxiety problems.

1. Systematic desensitization and similar methods

Systematic desensitization is a series of procedures that aim to to help the person to get used to what produces anxiety, facing it, to associate it with a calm state. to associate it with a state of calm or neutral emotionality. These are done following an ascending difficulty curve, so that patients can progress from easier to more anxiogenic experiences.

There are a number of similar modes of intervention that also have this objective, the most important being controlled exposure and EMDR therapy.

2. Cognitive restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a series of techniques belonging to cognitive-behavioral therapy, which aim at to help patients detach from maladaptive beliefs that are participating in the maintenance of the disorder. that are participating in the maintenance of the disorder.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness consists of a psychological state characterized by directing attention to the present, observing it from a perspective of acceptance of imperfections.

It is inspired by ancient meditation practices, although it does not have the religious implications of the latter, and is used for therapeutic purposes in a variety of contexts: psychotherapy, work in companies, sports, etc. Among other things, helps to get rid of psychological rumination, that is to say, the invasive and disturbing thoughts or ideas and disturbing ideas or thoughts that appear in our consciousness over and over again.

4. Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques aim to make anxiety dissipate through practices that modify the state of the body from an emotional and physiological point of view. The best known are controlled breathing techniques and Jacobson's progressive Muscle relaxation.

Are you interested in professional help for anxiety?

If you are suffering from any problem related to anxiety and you are looking for professional help, at Psychological Center Cepsim we invite you to contact us.

Our team of psychologists has training, experience and mastery of the most effective techniques and methods to treat a wide variety of psychological disorders: work stress, relationship problems, phobias, generalized anxiety, trauma and post-traumatic stress, relationship problems, and more. We attend both in our offices located in Madrid and through the online modality.

Para ver más información sobre Centro Psicológico Cepsim, puedes visitar esta página.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• American Psychiatric Association –APA- (2014). DSM-5. Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Hofmann SG, Dibartolo PM (2010). Introduction: Toward an Understanding of Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety.
• Otte, C. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: current state of the evidence. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 13 (4): pp. 413 - 421.
• Rynn, M.A.; Brawman-Mintzer, O. (2004). Generalized anxiety disorder: acute and chronic treatment. CNS Spectrums. 9(10): pp. 716 - 723.
• Sylvers, P.; Lilienfeld, S.O.; LaPrairie, J.L. (2011). Differences between trait fear and trait anxiety: implications for psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review. 31(1): pp. 122 - 137.