Treating Anxiety

Psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the most common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people recognize the harmful thought patterns that cause anxiety and troublesome feelings.

Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, including shaking and rapid heartbeat. People must work closely with their doctor to determine the best treatment for social anxiety dosage and medication for their needs.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are treatments to aid. Treatment can ease the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life while addressing the root of the problem. Combining medications and therapy could make a bigger impact on your mood and increase your quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root cause of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain that help create a feeling of calm. The most popular kind of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which prevent nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and increase its availability, allowing you to feel calmer. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others are also used to combat anxiety.

Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by acting on brain receptors to cause the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can be addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They also don't work well over time.

Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most common side effect is the feeling of drowsiness. Some people can also experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.

Other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and melatonin work as sedatives and reduce the activity of certain brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety. They reduce the itching that is caused by allergies and make you feel more relaxed.

Other types of medication that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and Tetracycline. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medications that have been shown to decrease anxiety in clinical trials aren't specifically approved for this purpose, however they may be prescribed off-label by a few doctors.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders are often treated with psychotherapy, or talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide encouragement and support, in addition to addressing the root causes of anxiety. The therapist's physical presence is crucial for those suffering from anxiety. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives them a feeling of security.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This approach teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to activities that you stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually come across the event or object that causes anxiety and overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy gives you a better understanding of the reasons you are so anxious, including how your imagination can create a false sense of danger that is not actually there. The counselor will also guide you through the physiological basis that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things which are usually harmless.

The therapy is typically conducted in a series sessions lasting one hour each. Patients are usually given assignments to complete in between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. It is possible to try several before you discover a therapist you are comfortable with.

Self-help techniques can be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques. You can reduce the effects of anxiety by getting enough rest and exercising regularly. You can also avoid smoking and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress relieving factor. You can try to include more laughter into your life. If you're experiencing an acute anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or the safety of others' safety, talk to your physician for an urgent anxiety medication, which is usually one that is benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required, but it is extremely effective. The use of medications does not replace psychotherapy but can be helpful in certain instances.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to psychotherapy and medications There are a myriad of lifestyle changes that could greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Regular exercise is a powerful method to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be a challenge to find a fitness program that is appropriate for you, but even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately graded exercise has also been shown to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is unclear but it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe Nucleus and decreasing the circulating levels of cortisol stress hormone.

It has been proven that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. There is no evidence to support this, and poor methods are often at fault. While certain studies show potential, the majority of these therapies do not have the level of clinical proof needed for doctors to suggest them as a viable option.

Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety isn't simple. In reality, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been shown to help reduce anxiety, although further research is required, such as programs to help with withdrawal from substances and controlled future studies.

It has been demonstrated that other supplements in the diet like omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet that could be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed food.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some regions of the world to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural remedies have only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters involved in the stress response.

Many people who suffer from anxiety treatment center experience a wide spectrum of symptoms. These symptoms could range from a temporary feeling of nervousness or anxiety prior to menstrual cycle or surgery or menstrual flow, to more persistent feeling of anxiety and unease which are a sign of more serious anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. Symptoms of anxiety can also be debilitating, and may include trembling, headaches, sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.

Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and react to thoughts and behavior that trigger anxiety in a different manner. When combined with medication, this approach can reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and depression.

A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid found in fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring, are known to improve heart health as well as improve the brain. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.

It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance certain products could be contaminated with other substances or exhibit negative side effects that could be dangerous. If you are thinking of taking supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment plan so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.