Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to control their reactions. anxiety treatment medicines is anxious and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and relaxes your body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses anxiety signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medications used for anxiety. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be very helpful 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 anxiety and insomnia.
There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe these medications. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and OB-GYNs. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medications.
Some people use alternative therapies, like exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also relaxation methods to reduce 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.
Lastly natural supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help to ease anxiety. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplements for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be utilized as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and supported by evidence-based research. It targets maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they all share the same treatment goals and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to identify the thoughts that are not working and contribute to anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist will also help patients identify and change avoidance behaviours. The therapist may 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 to be their own therapists by helping them understand their habits of thought and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies for coping to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat 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 situation or object that causes them anxiety. This can be done by imagining the object or situation, or by confronting it directly in real life. For instance, a patient with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to give a speech in front of a group.
Some studies have shown that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either of them on its own. 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 the things that make you anxious in a safe environment with an experienced professional. The process might sound daunting but it will help you understand that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also help increase your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy, such as imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might encourage you to practice with a friend or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.
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 anxiety. This can include mindfulness, rhythmic breath, and guided images. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an approach to exposure therapy that is appropriate to your needs and personality. This could involve using a hierarchical system to determine the sequence in which exposures are made or a series of relaxation techniques prior to starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.
It isn't easy to squeeze in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist who is skilled in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or the mental health network. It's an excellent idea to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a broad array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also aid in relieving depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or being present in the moment while letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for nearly anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in a meditation practice that involves movements.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breathing techniques and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or within a treatment environment. These methods are often combined with other forms therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are two more ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels, which can reduce your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess the likelihood of occurrence. You can apply strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it is realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, also known as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.