Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone is anxious and anxious at times. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can aid in managing.
Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't working, medication may be a good alternative. Anxiety medications help to suppress anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are among the most popular medication used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as along with primary care physicians, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they have to get special training in doing this.
Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to lessen anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. Biofeedback can be another beneficial technique, in which a therapist monitors your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and teaches you how to control them at will.
Additionally, natural supplements such as 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in easing anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Using supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by evidence-based research. It targets the maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and methods.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and change avoidance behaviours. The therapist will ask patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their daily life.
Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative feelings and improve their resilience.
CBT methods include the identification and correction of the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will aid the patient in developing coping skills for anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking object or situation. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the situation or object in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the place in which they were attacked. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to give a speech in front of the group.
Some studies have shown that combining CBT with pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective in people with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things that you are afraid of in a safe environment with an expert. The process might sound daunting but it will help you understand that your fears aren't based on fact and that you can tolerate the discomfort caused by your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the challenges of life.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually confront the situation with your therapist's assistance. In each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the intensity depending on the needs.
During a session the therapist will show you to calm and manage your emotions, before introducing you to the triggers that trigger your anxiety. This may include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behavior that leads to anxiety, like avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series of weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome the fear.
The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist will help you choose a method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This might involve using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.
In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the thing or situation you are scared of. It could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This technique can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific phobias.
It can be difficult to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also aid in relieving symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones in your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with slight improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be performed by almost everyone, and doesn't require special equipment or training. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation that requires moving.
Other treatments that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety through focusing on relaxing muscle, calming breathing, and visual imagery. drugs to treat anxiety can be employed at home or within a treatment environment. These techniques are often used in combination with other forms of therapy, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more relaxed, which in turn can lessen your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It teaches you to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an event and determining whether or not it is reasonable to worry about something that might happen.
Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is used to treat anxiety. It is based on an assessment of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, which is located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the spleen or kidney meridians can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.