Anxiety disorders are harmful illnesses that are increasingly affecting populations

worldwide. Anxiety disorders can be classified into agoraphobia, panic disorder, posttraumatic

stress, specific phobia, and social anxiety disorders (Dziegielewski, 2014). There are some

common methods for combating anxiety disorders which include medication, psychotherapy, and

pharmacotherapy. According to NIMH (2013), psychotherapy techniques have generated

prognosis that are associated with pharmacotherapy and medication for anxiety disorder

diagnosis and treatment.

Patients with anxiety disorder have been exposed to various medications to treat the

disorders. Exposing the patients to medications alone has various side effects (Dziegielewski,

2014). A patient taking medications can have various concerns. However, medications used to

treat anxiety disorders treatment have proved to be effective such as Benzodiazepines, Xanax,

and Ativan. According to the American Psychological Association (2013), patients with anxiety

disorders are that are looking for ways to relive them from dependence on the drugs because

they have various side effects like gaining weight, ulcers, loss of libido, restlessness, and

stomach upsets (Dziegielewski, 2014).

According to ADAA (2016), anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental conditions

and illnesses in the United States. They affect 40 million adults from 18 years and above

approximately 18% of the total population (ADAA, 2016). Although depression and anxiety are

treatable, only a third of the victims receive treatment. The (ADAA, 2016) further notes of those

with an anxiety disorder, three to five times more likely to go to visit the doctor and six times

more likely to be admitted for a mental disorder. There are various reasons why a person may not

seek treatment or therapy for their anxiety. With all of the options of different prescriptions

advertised, it almost ignores psychotherapy completely (Anxieties, 2016). With potential lack of
insight or having little awareness of their illness, can also lead to a patient believing there is no

need for therapeutic treatment, that all they need is medication which is purported to eliminate

their symptoms. There is a time for medication treatment, and for therapy. However, the

combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective and medication is not necessary

or would actually hinder the client’s treatment. Psychotherapy is very effective even after

medication because after the patient is interviewed and evaluated, their goals and severity of

symptoms can be determined (DeRuebls & Hollen, 2002).

When a client decides to go on treatment they encounter various challenges. They are

usually scared and confused. Struggling with the symptoms and their impact on their lives can be

a threat on their life. When patients come for treatment they usually seek a quick fix in terms of

medication to ease the symptoms. Although medications may alleviate some symptoms, it does

not necessarily help the client to understand their disorder, along with other treatment options.

Many patients see it hard to understand what the future holds with short or long-term therapy

sessions. Taking medication is easier to cope with and hide. However, therapy, the client faces

the reality of friends, family, colleagues, and in some cases the employer learning about their

disorder. Psychotherapy requires the client’s will and effort to invest in the therapy and treatment

to realize a successful session whether this includes therapy or medication or a combination of

both.

Although medication can be effective in treating anxiety, a combination of psychotherapy

and medication is known to be more effective in treating many psychological disorders. For

example, a combination of pharmacology treatment and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

has shown major improvements in adults (Norqvist, 2010). Team members of Massachusetts

General Hospital tested 86 adults with medication combined with a one-on-one session of CBT.
The study revealed there is greater improvement of symptoms compared to clients who take the

medication only (Nordqvist, 2010). However, the average person prefers to start on medication

before therapy to lessen their symptoms. According to a 1994 study by the Consumer Reports,

40% of those surveyed sought care for any type of mental health problem acquired from

medication compared with 68% in the current survey and 80% of those with anxiety or

depression. This number shows the rapidly growing sales of antidepressant drugs over the last

decade (Consumer Reports, 2016). This is attributed to various reasons. For instance,

psychotherapy works at a different pace than medication. The same study conducted revealed

those who responded and took medications alone improved substantially in just a few visits

(Consumer Reports, 2016). However, those went for psychotherapy alone had a slow

improvement, but their improvements were not as successful in the short term compared to

medication treatment alone. This shows that a combination of psychotherapy and medication id

more effective in treating anxiety disorders.

The use of medications has proved to be effective for treatment of anxiety and easing

symptoms caused by mental health issues. However, medication alone does not cure mental

illness, but only assists in managing the symptoms and their severity (Wilson & Guerra, 2016).

However, it may be occasionally for the patient’s safety and stability. When a patient is

struggling with anxiety, medication only helps in stabilizing the condition. It can enable the

client to focus on the therapy, without symptoms interfering. Clients may be prescribed one or

various medications the treatment for anxiety (Wilson & Guerra, 2016). Treating patients with

anxiety disorders with treatment methods is very effective when using psychotherapy and

cognitive therapy. It’s important to note that anxiety attacks situations can be controlled through

teaching the patients on how reduce the severity to a minimum (NIMH, 2013). A therapist that
uses cognitive therapy intends to provide the patient with necessary skills that can assist him/her

how to change the challenging situation into an organized and healthy one (Antony & Rowa,

2008). Therefore, patients that are diagnosed with anxiety disorders are required to have

psychotherapy and medication (Tesca et.al, 2006).

Of the 26 randomized research carried out involving medication and CBT, there have

been limitations (Talbot & McMurray, 2016). It has been stated that medication and CBT may

have conflicting effects in treating anxiety disorders. Preliminary data has proved that combining

medication and CBT has shown to be better than medication alone for the treatment for anxiety

disorders. Additionally, for treating patients with PTSD, CBT with sertraline greatly improved

their symptoms (Talbot & McMurray, 2016). However, follow up was conducted one year later

on of patients with SAD who were treated with placebo and therapy, sertraline alone or therapy

and sertraline discovered that those treated with therapy or placebo alone did not worsen after the

conclusion of treatment. This conflicting point also proves the combination of CBT and

medication for the treatment of anxiety may have a negative outcome. This is because patients

with anxiety are hyper sensitive to any anxiety-related physiological reactions. Medication

reduces the anxiety response and may inhibit CBT treatment, which is meant for patients to

understand their maladaptive beliefs about these responses (Talbot & McMurray, 2016).

The foremost approaches in the treatment for a patient with anxiety disorder include the

cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. So, in psychoanalysis, the therapist tries hard to

improve the relationship with the patient (Antony, & Rowa, 2008). The psychotherapist-patient

relationship is practical in the effort of transforming the client’s psychological state, the

observation of self-worth, and individual. Psychotherapy is the opposite of pharmacological

therapy but is familiar with any current state of a patient. Observing the patient’s improvement
comes with ease and efficiency (Antony, & Rowa, 2008). Thus, the combination of medication

and psychotherapy tries to close the gap between the patient and the practitioner which helps the

patient recover as well as getting better understanding of how the process is going (Tesca et.al,

2006).

Conclusion

In conclusion, information regarding treatment preferences for a patient that has been

diagnosed with anxiety disorder is a serious issue. Therefore, it’s important to recommend either

psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy or a combination with medication. Anxiety disorders are

panic attacks which subject a person to extreme fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur abruptly and

without notice. Thus, behavioral modifications foster and induce psychotherapy in patients

which enables the patient to cope with an anxiety disorder in the future.