Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat
performance anxiety treatmentEveryone worries and feels fearful at times, but those with
menopause Anxiety treatment have a hard managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as does medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help with your
anxiety treatment, medication could be an option. Anxiety medications reduce anxiety signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular medications used for anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short-term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary care physicians, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatric nurses. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medication.
Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to ease anxiety. They can also discover ways to relax and relieve 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.
In addition,
best natural treatment for anxiety supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in relieving anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Utilizing supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share the same treatment goals and methods.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their daily life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative feelings and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include identifying and changing distortions in the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop strategies for dealing with stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. It involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the object or scenario in real life. A patient with PTSD who is scared of a particular area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking could be encouraged to give a speech in front of a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and further research is required. In general, mixing medications with CBT is more effective than each by itself. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront things that make you anxious in a safe environment with an experienced professional. It can be difficult but the process will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to be able to accept the triggers. It will also boost your confidence to take on life's challenges.
There are many kinds of exposure therapies, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're nervous about speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. Then, you'll gradually confront the situation in real life with your counselor's assistance. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.
In a session the therapist will show you to calm down and deal with your feelings before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that cause you fear. This can include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a flight or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist can help you choose an exposure therapy method that is suited to your personal style and needs. This might involve using an order to determine the order of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or event you are afraid of. It could be as simple as walking across the bridge or having someone touch your arm. This technique can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to incorporate within your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a certified specialist by contacting your local psychology association or mental health network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a broad range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help alleviate symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or staying in the present moment and getting rid of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able participate in meditation that requires movement.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breathing techniques and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Another
best way to treat anxiety to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic which can lessen anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences, weighing the pros and cons of a situation, and determining whether it is reasonable to worry about something that might happen.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that can be used to treat anxiety. It is based on a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, also known as qi, located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.
