Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People with anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that help reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines may help.
Self-help strategies can also aid in easing symptoms. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular medications used for anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be very helpful in the short term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health care providers can prescribe them. These include psychiatrists and psychologists as well as primary health care doctors, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatric nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do so.
Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to reduce anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and 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.
In addition, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also help ease anxiety. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
how anxiety is treated (CBT) is one of the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behaviors that lead to anxiety. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to identify the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist will also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to implement the behavioural strategies that they have learned in their daily life.
The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods focus on identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies for coping to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to 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 anxious subject or event. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the object or scenario in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who fears a specific location could be encouraged to visit the place where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, could be encouraged to deliver an address before a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been shown to be particularly effective in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront things that make you anxious in a secure setting with an experienced therapist. The process may sound difficult but it can help you learn that your fears are unfounded and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It will also boost your confidence to take on your challenges in life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal and systematic desensitization. For instance, if nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with a friend. You can then gradually face the situation with your therapist's support. During each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the level of exposure according to the need.
During the session, your therapist will teach you to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel scared. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist will help you select the best exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could include using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat specific anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It isn't easy to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist by contacting your local psychological association or mental health network. It's an excellent idea to look up reviews and ask 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 the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine as well as yoga, meditation, music therapy, massage and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or being present in the moment and letting go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be done by almost anyone, and it does not require special equipment or training. People with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditative practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within an environment for treatment. These techniques are typically employed in conjunction with other types of therapy, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower 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 can reduce your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it's realistic to be worried about a possibility that might occur.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, is used to relieve stress. It is based on an assessment of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, also known as qi, located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.