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 can also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication may be a good alternative. Anxiety medications help to suppress fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and very helpful in the short term, but they are addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe them. These include psychologists and psychiatrists as along with primary care physicians, OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrists. They must also receive special training to prescribe medication.
Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find relaxation methods to reduce stress like 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.
Finally, natural supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in relieving anxiety. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Iampsychiatry is among the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and backed by empirical evidence. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and methods.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the behavioural strategies they have learned in everyday life.
The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety and other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's mind, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists assist the patient in developing strategies for dealing with anxiety-inducing 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. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking object or situation. 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 specific location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is afraid of public speaking could be encouraged to speak in front of an audience.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than each alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines and CBT have been shown to be particularly efficacious in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to manage anxiety. It helps you confront things you are afraid of in a safe environment with an expert. The process may sound difficult but it can help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also improve your confidence when it comes to navigating the challenges of life.
There are many different types of exposure therapies, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a buddy or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you'll be able to gradually confront the situation in real life with the help of your therapy therapist's help. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you triggers that make you feel anxious. This may include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in behavior that leads to anxiety, like staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will assist you select the method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your needs and personality. This might involve using an order of exposure to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the object or event that you're scared of. This might be as simple as walking across a bridge or having someone touch your arm. This technique can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It isn't easy to fit in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your relatives or friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for almost everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation practices that require movement.
Other therapies that can be used to ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage anxiety by using relaxation exercises breathing, calm breathing and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapy setting. They are usually used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.
Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more relaxed, which in turn can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and confront negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess fears and determine their likelihood of occurring. You can apply strategies such as comparing your fears to past experiences by considering the pros and cons of a situation and determining whether it is realistic to worry about what could occur.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is utilized to alleviate stress. It is based on a study of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, called Qi, that is found in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when it is combined with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.