Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone is anxious and nervous at times. Psychotherapy can help, as does medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't working then medication could be a good alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fears and triggers the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health professionals can prescribe them. They can be psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and some OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications.
Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, like deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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 relieving anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety, or any other condition. Using supplements in conjunction with a complete
treatment for anxiety and depression near me plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic
new treatments for anxiety for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and backed by evidence-based research. It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share some common goals for treatment and methods.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. Therapists can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies that they have learned in everyday life.
Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT methods include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. Therapists also assist the patient in developing coping skills for anxiety-provoking 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".
Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposure to the object or situation that creates anxiety. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it in actual life. For instance, a person with PTSD who fears a specific area could be urged to visit the spot in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking might be encouraged to speak in front of a group.
Some studies have proven that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than any one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly efficacious in people with panic disorder and
generalized anxiety treatment anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you confront the things that scare you in a secure environment with the help of a professional. The process may sound difficult but it will help you learn that your fears are unfounded and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.
There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you'll gradually face the scenario in real life with your counselor's assistance. Each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're experiencing
anxiety chest pain Treatment or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure depending on the needs.
During the session, the therapist teaches you how to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel scared. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, like being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to identify what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist will then help you select an approach to exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.
In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or event you are scared of. This could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else reach out to you. This approach can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit within your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist that specializes in this type of cognitive therapy. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a range of health treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines Meditation, Yoga, music therapy, massage and yoga. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to promote mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditative practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breathing techniques, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapeutic setting. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are another way to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol level, which is an important hormone that causes anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic which can lessen your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can use strategies like comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it's reasonable to be concerned about a possibility that might occur.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, can be utilized to treat stress. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, which is located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridian can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.
