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TREATMENT
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent type of mental health condition in the United States. Anxiety disorders affect as many as 40 million people, however, only 37% receive treatment for their disorder. If you live with intrusive and persistent fears, contact Bespoke Treatment in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, California, for customized treatment. Bespoke Treatment offers conventional treatments for anxiety as well as cutting-edge therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), neurofeedback, and ketamine therapy. Call Bespoke Treatment or request an appointment online today.
TREATMENT
There are many different types of anxiety disorders. In previous editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), anxiety disorders included OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder; the manual no longer groups these disorders under anxiety.
Anxiety disorders now include the following:
CONDITIONS
In addition to your fears and worries, anxiety can manifest in a variety of disruptive symptoms.
Anxiety and depression often co-occur, so you may also struggle with feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Even if you experience some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, realize that anxiety is really an issue in the brain. Areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, trigger an individual’s “fight or flight” response by releasing a chemical called cortisol, which causes the rest of the body to engage a system of arousal called the sympathetic nervous system. When the sympathetic nervous system is engaged today, individuals may feel the same thing that our ancestors felt in the wild when we ran from predators. By targeting areas of the brain that control the sympathetic nervous system, we can keep the symptoms of anxiety at bay.
CONDITIONS
factors such as work, family issues, or problems in relationships can contribute to or trigger anxiety.
Individuals with family members who have an anxiety disorder are more likely to experience one.
Some diseases or medications can come with anxiety-inducing symptoms.
Many anxiety disorders are related to imbalances of neurotransmitters within the brain.
Withdrawal from various illicit substances can induce or worsen anxiety.
Everyone feels stressed or worried from time to time. However, if your fears and nervousness are interfering with your ability to function, or are affecting your overall quality of life, it’s time to get help. Anxiety can affect anyone, and if you’re concerned about your mental health, the first step in getting better is talking to a professional.
CONDITIONS
TMS is not yet FDA-approved for anxiety, but there is strong research that suggests that TMS is a safe and effective treatment for anxiety. Unlike traditional anxiety medication such as benzodiazepines, TMS will not leave one sedated, confused, or physiologically dependent. One study by Bystritsky et al. (2008) examined right-side TMS for anxiety. The study showed that TMS was able to successfully reduce symptoms of anxiety by over 50% in 60% of participants. Additionally, a follow-up study reported that anxiety remained lowered after 6 months. Additionally, a study in 2016 by Kimberly Cress reported that TMS “shows significant promise for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” Cirillo et al. reiterated that “TMS may be an effective treatment for GAD and PTSD” in a 2019 meta-analysis.
CONDITIONS
Ketamine infusions are another option for anxiety treatment for those who have not responded to traditional evidence-based talk therapy methods. Ketamine infusions are not yet FDA-approved for anxiety, but the research is very promising. While much of the newer research on Ketamine has been looking at depression, there have been studies that have examined the effectiveness of Ketamine for anxiety. For instance, Glue et al. (2017) examined the dose-response relationship of Ketamine in 12 individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and found that 10/12 of those individuals experienced a significant reduction of symptoms after Ketamine within just one hour. Taylor et al. (2017) also conducted a randomized controlled trial to look at Ketamine specifically for social anxiety disorder. He found that Ketamine performed significantly better than placebo, with the anxiolytic effects lasting for at least 2 weeks post-treatment.
CONDITIONS
There is a wide range of treatment options for anxiety. Bespoke Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation to learn about your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health. Then, after they diagnose your condition and understand your needs, they create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and help you manage your negative thoughts.
The conventional treatment for anxiety is a combination of medication and therapy. Anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants should relieve your symptoms so that you can focus on exploring and resolving your fears and developing coping strategies in therapy.
However, medication doesn’t always work the way it’s expected to, or you might experience intolerable side effects. Bespoke Treatment offers alternative treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), neurofeedback, and ketamine infusions to alleviate anxiety. If anxiety is disrupting your quality of life, call Bespoke Treatment or request a consultation online today.
