Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't working medications could be a viable option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) 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 are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
Only licensed health care professionals can prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medications.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to help reduce anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and relieve 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.
Finally, natural supplements such as 5-HTP and melatonin may help to ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Utilizing supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common goals and strategies for treatment.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them to understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them to overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT methods include identifying and reversing the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will assist the patient in developing techniques to cope with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be used to treat 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 therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it directly in real life. A patient with PTSD who is afraid of a certain area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the place where they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, could be encouraged to deliver an address in front of an audience.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is required. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be particularly effective for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront things that scare you in a safe environment with a therapy. It may seem difficult, but the process can help you realize that your fears aren't justifiable and you can tolerate your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy. These include imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're nervous about speaking in public Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're feeling anxious or scared and adjust the intensity as needed.
During a session, your therapist will teach you to calm and manage your emotions, before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that create anxiety. This can include techniques like mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to determine the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist can help you choose the best exposure therapy method that suits your personal style and needs. This might involve using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or event that you're scared of. This could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It isn't easy to schedule vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist who is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. It's an excellent idea to read reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations.
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 encourage a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines, meditation, Yoga, music therapy, massage and yoga. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach uses different techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness or staying in the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be practiced by almost anyone, and it does not require any special equipment or any special training. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation practices that require moving.
Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you manage your anxiety by using relaxation exercises, calming breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are typically used in combination with other forms of therapy, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
holistic treatment for anxiety and eating well-balanced meals are two more ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more relaxed and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their likelihood of occurrence. You can employ strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation, and determining whether it is realistic to worry about something that might occur.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that can be employed to alleviate anxiety. It is based on an assessment of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.