Treating Anxiety

The treatment of anxiety usually involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts that can trigger anxious and tense feelings.

The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and shaking. Patients must consult with their health care provider to find the right dosage and medication for them.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, and it can prevent us from sleeping well, but there are treatments that can help. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier while taking care of the root cause. Combining medications and therapy may be even more effective on your mood and improve your quality of life.

Antidepressants treat the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain which create a sense calm. The most popular kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and increase its availability, allowing you to feel more calm. SSRIs are drugs like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are effective in relieving anxiety symptoms. They do this by affecting brain receptors that cause an energizing effect. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They don't work as well over time, which is why they are not recommended for long-term use.

Other antianxiety medications such as quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, nausea, diarrhea and sexual dysfunction in a few individuals.

Other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety. They can reduce the itching caused by allergies and make you feel more comfortable.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide are also employed to lower anxiety. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Some doctors are able to prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been shown to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders are often relieved by psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root of anxiety, the therapist may offer support and encouragement. The physical presence of the therapist can be important for people suffering from anxiety because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and provides a sense of security to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the best option for treating anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your worries and gradually allow you to return to activities you've avoided due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually confront the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxiety.

Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reasons you feel anxious, including how your imagination can make you believe that dangers are not real. The counselor will also guide you through the anatomy of the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things that are usually harmless.

Therapy is typically done in a series of sessions lasting around an hour and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. It can take a while to find the right therapist for you, and you may need to test several before settling on one you feel at ease with.

Self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation can be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy. You can reduce anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress relief. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your everyday life. Finally, if you have an extreme anxiety attack that threatens your safety or the safety of others, consult your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment isn't always needed, but can be very helpful. The use of medicines is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain instances.

Lifestyle changes

There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, could help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and employing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Regular exercise can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be a challenge to find an exercise routine that is right for you, however even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately paced exercise was also found to be effective at treating anxiety and depression. While the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined however, it is believed that exercise affects the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal raphe Nucleus and decreasing the circulating levels of stress hormone cortisol.

The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been found to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. There is no evidence to support this and a poor methodology is often to blame. While some studies have shown promise, the majority of these therapies do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.

The relationship between anxiety and food is not straightforward. In fact, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can worsen or cause anxiety-related symptoms. It has been shown that dietary improvement, especially restriction of alcohol and nicotine can help reduce anxiety. However, more research that includes controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.

Other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in decreasing anxiety. The reason is unclear however, researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can ease anxiety, for example, increasing the quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding processed foods.

Herbal and dietary supplements

Clinical trials have only been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural supplements that have been used in some regions of the the world for centuries to alleviate anxiety symptoms. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan, and l -lysine can reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their influence on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.

Many people who experience anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, from the intermittent feeling of anxiety or worry that occurs prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the omnipresent tension and unease that characterize more serious kinds of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobias and panic disorder. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms like headaches, trembling and sweating and trouble sleeping.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and respond differently to the thoughts and behaviors that can trigger anxiety. This method, when combined with medication, can help treat anxiety as well as reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as fatigue and depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are known for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.

It is important to note that dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a possibility that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or have side effects that could be harmful. If you're considering using herbs or dietary supplements to reduce anxiety, consult your doctor before starting any regimen so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.