Glasgow Anxiety Therapy

American research shows that people with anxiety prefer a flexible treatment package, rather than just relying on drug therapy. They developed an approach called CALM - Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management. (The idea in the name of the approach is that clients learn to manage their own symptoms - a long-lasting and effective response.)

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) appeared to be the most popular treatment choice among those in the CALM group—57% chose CBT and medication combination treatment, and 34% chose CBT-only treatment, while 9% chose medication-only treatment. This preference is consistent with research that finds those with anxiety disorders tend to favour psychosocial treatment approaches over medication to treat their illness, according to the researchers.

Participants in the CALM group showed significantly greater symptom improvement than those receiving usual care. After 12 months, about 63.6% receiving CALM had responded to treatment compared to 44.7% in usual care, and 51.5% receiving CALM had remitted compared to 33% in usual care.

So it seems the reason why people prefer to include CBT is because it works. I combine CBT with hypnosis because the combination makes treatment more effective.

Where anxiety has been with you for a long time, professional help is useful. I practice cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, and this gives rapid results. Or your doctor can offer you cbt through the NHS.

Anxiety is physiological arousal triggered by the Stress Response. Powerful hormones are released when your body senses danger (real or imagined) and these hormones generate arousal and anxiety. Elevation of the chemical stress pathway (glucocorticoids - mainly cortisol) tends to be associated with depression, whereas elevation of the electrical stress pathway (epinephrine -mainly adrenaline) more frequently is correlated with anxiety.

But there is also a Relaxation Response. When you are relaxed, the hormone balance is changed to include naurally occurring benzodiazapines (sedative and relaxing) and cannabinoids, which work a bit like dopamine, and result in good feelings. Also released are  melatonin, which can help you sleep at night and be alert during the day.

You might wonder if all that is really worth knowing. Most of us who get anxious are getting into a routine of filling our bodies with stress hormones. These can build up in our bodies and cause long-term damage. There is quite a lot of information on this. But there is less talked about the real physiological benefits of deep relaxation.

If you are relaxed, you just cannot be anxious. The hormones won't let you do it. Learning deep relaxation is the first step to managing your anxiety. It is easy to learn. (I teach this and most of my clients are astounded at the impact). Just 5 or 10 minutes a day will do the trick. If you think about it, you probably spend hours a day feeling anxious.

Get started now on managing your anxiety. Learn how to really relax with hypnosis. Give me a call.

Self-help You may be able to improve your symptoms by using relaxation techniques and exercise. Contacting other people who have anxiety disorders through charities and patient groups can be a good source of support and advice. Your GP may be able to advise you about self-help groups in your area.

Relaxation Relaxation training is a feature of some types of psychotherapy. Various types of relaxation therapy are available, which you might want to discuss with your doctor. You may find yoga, Tai Chi or other exercises helpful. (I always include relaxation training, since most of us have trouble relaxing.)

Counselling This involves talking through your problem with a counsellor who can help you focus on what you want to do and how you can achieve your goal.

Research shows that counselling can help with some kinds of anxiety disorder, including panic disorder, social phobia, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), especially in the short term.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) CBT is a type of talking therapy, or psychotherapy, carried out by a specially trained therapist. CBT is based on the idea that negative thinking results in negative reactions. It involves assessing the reasoning behind your thinking and then gradually exposing you to the situation that causes anxiety in order to change your behaviour.

CBT is often used to treat GAD and panic disorder. (My approach includes CBT with the powerful support of hypnosis.)

Medicines Your GP may prescribe the following medicines.

• Tranquillisers, such as benzodiazepine tablets, may help to relieve some short-term stress-related anxieties. However, they shouldn't be taken for long periods because of the risk of addiction. For this reason they aren't usually prescribed.
• Buspirone is another type of medicine that can help relieve anxiety. It has different side-effects to benzodiazepines and it isn't thought to be addictive.
• Antidepressants can treat certain anxiety disorders such as GAD, social phobia, OCD and anxiety associated with depression.
• Beta-blockers relieve many of the physical symptoms of anxiety such as palpitations and shaking, and may be helpful for some people. They don't affect psychological symptoms, but some people find they can relax more if their physical symptoms are relieved.

Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.