Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a difficult managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can help alleviate symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't working then medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medication, but they must receive special training to do this.
Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to reduce anxiety. They can also discover relaxation methods to reduce stress like 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 melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for
anxiety treatment without medicine, or any other health condition. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most thoroughly researched and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common
best treatment for anxiety attacks goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist will also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviours. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their daily life.
The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists, aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to overcome unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and changing the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. Additionally, therapists help the patient to develop strategies for dealing with stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking subject or event. This can be done by imagining or confronting the subject or situation in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the location in which they were attacked. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to give an address in front of a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. The results are mixed and further research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly effective for people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront the things that make you anxious in a secure environment with an experienced therapist. The process might sound daunting but it can help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort of your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence in navigating life's challenges.
There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity according to the need.
In an appointment your therapist will show you how to calm down and deal with your feelings before introducing you to the triggers that cause you fear. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They can also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to determine the object or situation that causes anxiety, for example, flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will then help you select a method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your needs and personality. This could involve using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the situation or thing that you are scared of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This technique can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate within your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that specializes in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide variety of treatments for health that are not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also help alleviate depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research found that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, people with physical limitations might not be able in meditative practices that involve moving.
Other treatments that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety through the focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are another
best way to treat anxiety disorder to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic and can help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood
meds that treat anxiety and depression they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences as well as considering the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, and determining whether or not it is reasonable to worry about something that might happen.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based upon an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) that are located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the spleen or kidney meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.
