Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't working medications could be a viable option. Anxiety medication helps to 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 influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short term, but they are addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as along with primary health care doctors, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrist nurses. They must also receive special training to prescribe medications.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to reduce anxiety. There are also methods to relax and relieve stress, including 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.
Finally, natural supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in relieving anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. Although different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to recognize the thoughts that are not working and contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
Eventually, the goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their habits of thought and behaviour. This will enable them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods include identifying and changing distortions in the patient's thinking which include overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies to cope to deal with anxiety-inducing 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 aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposure to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the situation or object in real life. For instance, a patient with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location might be encouraged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make a speech before the group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and more research is required. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective for people with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to manage anxiety. It allows you to confront the things that you are afraid of in a safe environment with an expert. The process may sound difficult but it can help you realize that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort caused by your triggers. It can also increase your confidence to take on your challenges in life.
There are many kinds of exposure therapies, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist may encourage you to practice with a friend or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the situation with your therapist's assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure if necessary.
In a session the therapist will show you how to calm and manage your emotions before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that cause you fear. This can include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an approach to exposure therapy that fits your needs and personality. This could involve using an orderly system to determine the sequence in which exposures are made or practicing relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the object or event that you're scared of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or touching your arm. This technique can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit within your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging an active lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help relieve depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to promote mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be done by anyone, and does not require any special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able participate in meditation that requires movement.
Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and the use of hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or in a treatment environment. These techniques are typically used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced 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 make you feel more energetic which can lessen anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an incident, and determining if it is realistic to be concerned about what could happen.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese method, can be utilized to relieve stress. It is based on an evaluation of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, referred to as qi, located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. anxiety treatment dogs suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.