Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that help control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can aid in managing.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for example, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.
Medication
If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication may be a viable alternative. Anxiety medications reduce fears and triggers the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also used to combat 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 commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health care providers can prescribe these medications. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary health care doctors, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they must be trained specifically to do this.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to lessen anxiety. There are also methods to relax and relieve stress, such as 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 easing anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety, or any other condition. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most thoroughly researched and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. Although different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns that can cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies they've learned in daily life.
The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will enable them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety and other negative feelings and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve the identification and correction of the way that the patient thinks which include overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. Therapists also assist the patient in developing strategies for dealing with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat any type 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. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking object or situation. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it directly in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to go to the location in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to make a speech before an audience.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is required. In general, mixing medications with CBT is more effective than each by itself. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been shown to be particularly efficacious in people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you face the things that make you anxious in a secure environment with a professional. It may seem difficult but it can help you realize that your fears are not justified and that you can accept your triggers. It will also boost your confidence in facing life's challenges.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy. These include imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a friend or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the situation in real life with your counselor's assistance. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if necessary.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel fearful. This could include mindfulness, rhythmic breath, and guided images. They can also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to identify the object or situation that causes anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will then help you to decide on the method of 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 to starting.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are scared of. This could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It can be challenging to fit in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your friends or family members for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a broad variety of treatments for health that are not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They also can reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones within your body.
treatment for panic and anxiety attacks iampsychiatry.com has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or the ability of being present in the moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and it doesn't require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditative practice that involves moving.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower the heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic and can help reduce 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 show you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can apply strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether or not it is realistic to worry about something that could occur.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is used to alleviate stress. It is based on a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. A deficiency of the kidney or spleen meridian can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.