Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers, which are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can aid in managing.
Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes don't help your anxiety then medication could be a good option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters, which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety, but only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe these medications. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and OB-GYNs. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications.
Certain people utilize complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. 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 control them at will.
In addition, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also help ease anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety, or any other condition. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by evidence-based research. treatment anxiety and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share the same treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist also helps patients identify and change avoidance behaviours. The therapist will ask patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.
In the end, the final goal is to help patients to be their own therapists by helping them to understand their patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT methods include identifying and reversing mental distortions that affect the patient which include overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop coping strategies for stressful situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For example, a patient with PTSD who fears a specific location could be encouraged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking could be encouraged to give a speech in front of the group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are mixed and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you face the things that scare you in a secure environment with an experienced therapist. The process might sound daunting but it will help you learn that your fears aren't based on fact and that you can tolerate the discomfort caused by your triggers. It can also boost your confidence to take on life's challenges.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if nervous about speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you can gradually face the scenario in real life with the help of your counselor's assistance. During each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the level of exposure depending on the needs.
During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel fearful. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, for example, staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.
The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist can help you choose an exposure therapy method that fits your personality and needs. This could involve using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence in which exposures are made or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy is directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone else touch your arm. This technique can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation, music therapy, massage, and yoga. They can also help relieve depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with slight improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness or the ability of being present in the moment while getting rid of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or training. However, those who have physical limitations may not be able in meditation practices that require moving.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety through focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are another way to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to identify and combat negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can apply strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences as well as weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and determining whether or not it is reasonable to worry about something that could happen.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese method, can be used to relieve stress. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.