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 can help alleviate symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication could be an option. Anxiety medication suppresses fears and triggers the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and 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 a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health professionals can prescribe these medications. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do so.
Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. There are also 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 5-HTP or melatonin may aid in easing anxiety. However, you should always consult your doctor before taking any supplements for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. Although different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common goals and strategies for treatment.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify 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 that they have learned in everyday life.
The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them to understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include identifying and changing the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist can 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".
Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the object or scenario in real life. For example, a patient with PTSD who is scared of a certain location could be encouraged to go to the location where they were abused. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to deliver an address before a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly efficacious in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to manage anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a secure environment with a therapist. The process may sound difficult, but it can help you learn that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort caused by your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to take on the challenges of life.
There are treatment anxiety of exposure therapy, such as virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually face the issue with your therapist's assistance. In each session, your therapist will check to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the level of exposure as needed.
During the session, the therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that cause you to feel scared. This can include techniques like mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behavior that leads to anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to determine what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist can help you select the best exposure therapy method that fits your preferences and personality. This could involve using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the object or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else reach out to you. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific fears.
In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit in your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist that specializes in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can locate a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a variety of treatments for health that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help relieve depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or being present in the moment while getting rid of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditative practices that involve movements.
Other therapies that can be used to reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety by the focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as 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 blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energized which can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will teach you to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can use strategies like looking at your fears in relation to 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 an ancient Chinese technique, can be employed to relieve stress. It is based on an evaluation of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, called Qi, which is located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians could cause anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.