Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a difficult to control their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as does medications like beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

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

Medication

If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication may be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular medication used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and very helpful in the short-term, but they are addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medication, but they must be trained specifically to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to help reduce anxiety. There are also methods to relax and relieve stress, like 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.

In addition, natural remedies to treat anxiety supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in easing anxiety. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and supported by evidence-based research. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share some common goals for best treatment for anxiety and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to discover dysfunctional thought patterns that can cause anxiety panic attack treatment. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviours. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.

The ultimate goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists through helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will allow them to overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.

CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thoughts, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Therapists also aid the patient in developing techniques to cope with 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".

Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the object or scenario in real life. For example, a patient suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to deliver a speech before an audience.

Some studies have proven that combining strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be especially effective in people with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you face the things that scare you in a safe environment with a professional. It can be difficult but the process can help you realize that your fears aren't justified and that you can accept your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.

There are many different types of exposure therapies, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're nervous about speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you'll be able to gradually confront the situation in real life with your therapist's support. During each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity as needed.

During the session, the therapist teaches you to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that can make you feel anxious. This can include mindfulness, rhythmic breath, and guided images. They will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, such as staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.

The first step is to pinpoint the thing or event that causes anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist can help you choose an exposure therapy approach that fits your preferences and personality. This might involve using a hierarchy to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.

In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the thing or event you are scared of. This could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be challenging to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies cover a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can reduce High Functioning anxiety Treatment by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also help relieve depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.

Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs different kinds 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 doesn't require special equipment or training. However, people with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditation that requires movement.

Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Another method to reduce driving anxiety treatment is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels and can help reduce anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to evaluate the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can apply strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining whether it's realistic to be concerned about something that could happen.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that can be employed to treat anxiety. It is based on the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) found in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can trigger anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.