How to Find Help and Make Treatment More Effective

When seeking help for an anxiety disorder, it is best to first visit a family physician, who can help the patient determine if the condition is purely psychological, or due to some underlying medical condition. If the problem is determined to be psychological, the physician will usually refer the patient to a mental health professional. There are several types of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and counselors. The most important thing to look for is someone with specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy. The person should also be willing to combine medication and psychotherapy. But most of all, it is important to work with a therapist the patient feels comfortable with. If the patient is uneasy either with the therapist or the treatment, it is best to seek either another counselor or another form of therapy.

There are several ways the patient can make the treatment process more effective. Joining a self-help group can provide much-needed support, because the patient can share their setbacks, concerns and accomplishments with other people who understand what they’re dealing with. The patient’s family and friends also play an important role, and can provide a support network the person can turn to.

Patience and support from family members is vital--if they tend to downplay the severity of the condition, or if they expect the person to automatically get better, they can actually cause setbacks in the person’s recovery. In addition, employing stress management techniques and using meditation and other relaxation exercises can enhance the effectiveness of therapy. However, they should not be used as a substitute for therapy, though they can work quite well in conjunction with medical treatment.