Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers, which are used to reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can aid in managing.

Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.

Medication

If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety, medication may be a good alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses anxiety signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as along with primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, and some psychiatrist nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do this.

Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety Treatment Meds. They can also find 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 treat anxiety attacks to control them at will.

Additionally, natural supplements such as melatonin or 5-HTP may also help ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your physician prior to taking any supplements for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been extensively researched and supported by evidence-based research. It targets the maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share certain common treatment goals and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to recognize the thoughts that are not working and contribute to anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. Therapists can also help patients identify and alter behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in everyday life.

The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists by helping them to understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.

CBT methods involve identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's mind like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist also assists the patient develop coping strategies for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. It involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the situation or object in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the site in which they were attacked. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking might be encouraged to deliver a speech front of a group.

Some studies have shown that the combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder treatment disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to treat anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a safe setting with an expert. It can be difficult but the process will help you understand that your fears aren't justifiable and you can accept your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the challenges of life.

There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if scared of speaking in public Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you'll be able to slowly face the situation in real life with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the intensity depending on the needs.

During the session, the therapist teaches you to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that can make you feel fearful. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, such as avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome the fear.

The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a flight or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose an exposure therapy approach that is suited to your personal style and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.

In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method can be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.

In-vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, so it's important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It's also a good idea to read reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of health treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyles. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicine yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for nearly anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation that requires movement.

Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques teach you to control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breathing techniques and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapy setting. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are another best way to treat anxiety disorder to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can decrease 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 in turn can lessen your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for driving anxiety treatment. It helps you recognize and confront negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it is realistic to be worried about a possibility that might occur.

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to relieve stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.