A score exceeding 35 points on the CPRS Anxiety Test is indicative of a severe anxiety.
Severe anxiety is most effectively treated by an initial dose of medication followed by a prolonged period of therapy. Please note that medication should only be taken for a set period of time as they are highly addictive. Below is a list of symptoms commonly associated with anxiety.
If you have experienced these symptoms for a duration of two-weeks or longer, you are eligible for an anxiety diagnosis. For a thorough list of the different types of anxiety and treatment methods, please read our Anxiety Guide.
Anxious Symptoms
– Hyperventilation
– Heart palpitations
– Heavy sweating
– Restlessness
– Nervousness
– Feelings of fear, dread and worry
– Lethargy
– Insomnia
– Muscle twitching
– Obsessive thoughts
– Having difficulty maintaining focus
– Digestive problems / gastrointestinal problems
– The urge to avoid certain stimuli
Treatment Methods
If you have taken our CPRS Anxiety Test and received a score within the boundaries for what is considered a severe anxiety, then there are two ways of improving your mood. The most common way of treating a severe anxiety is a combination of medication and therapy sessions. Medication will initially be used for a set period of time to bring the patient down towards the boundaries of a moderate anxiety. This will allow the therapist to work more efficiently with the patient in the long-term.
Therapy
Choosing a therapist may seem difficult given all the different types of therapy available these days. When it comes to dealing with anxiety there are two main categories of therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy works towards healing the symptoms of inner conflict whilst psychodynamic therapy works towards mending the conflict itself and freeing the person of anxious symptoms permanently.
Wherapy offers 1-on-1 therapy sessions to people suffering from depression. Our sessions are conducted online for a duration of 50-minutes and can be purchased in packs of 1-session, 3-sessions or 5-sessions. If you are interested in purchasing a session, click on the button below.
Medication
Antidepressants can be used in order to break a prolonged period of severe anxiety. This is primarily achieved through the drugs affect on serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Antidepressants should however be phased out once the patient has returned to a moderate level of anxiety and be substituted for therapy sessions.
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are a highly addictive type of anxiety medication. They are known to have few side effects aside from light drowsiness and being highly addictive.
Antidepressants: Although mainly used to combat the symptoms of depression, Antidepressants work for anxiety as well. Common side effects include, nausea, sexual dysfunction and excessive shaking. These symptoms ease off once the patient gets used to the dosage. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI are a common form of antidepressant.
Tricyclics: Tricyclics works for most types of anxiety with the exception of OCD. Side effects include, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and weight gain.
In order to receive a prescription for antidepressants, you must visit your local doctor or psychologists. In some cases you may have to be diagnosed with a specific type of anxiety. Antidepressants can be addictive and should always be taken after a thorough consultation with a certified medical practitioner.
Coming Soon – Wherapy Plus!
Those of you who feel the need for some extra help, but cannot afford therapy sessions, may be interested in our soon-to-launch subscription service.
Inspired by the popularity of self-help books, Wherapy Plus offers self-help video courses based on psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Each session will be comprised of a video tutorial and a theoretical exercise.
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