Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone fears and worries at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a tough time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers that help reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.

Self-help strategies can also help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and relax your body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy do not help anxiety, medication might be an alternative. Anxiety medications can help reduce anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They are fast-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and some OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they have to get special training in doing so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to lessen anxiety. There are also ways to relax and relieve 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 can i treat anxiety without medication to control them at will.

Additionally, natural remedies to treat anxiety supplements such as 5-HTP or melatonin may aid in relieving anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety or any other health condition. Utilizing supplements together with a comprehensive non drug treatment for anxiety plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders they all share common goals and strategies for treatment.

CBT starts by identifying dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and change avoidance behaviors. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.

The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, by helping them to understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative emotions and improve their resilience.

CBT methods focus on identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop coping skills for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking subject or event. This may be done through visualizing the object or scenario, or by directly confronting it in real life. For example, a patient with PTSD who is scared of a certain area could be urged to visit the spot in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to give an address before an audience.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. However, these results are mixed and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one by itself. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to manage anxiety. It helps you confront the things you are scared of in a secure setting with an expert. It might seem daunting but it can help you realize that your fears aren't justifiable and that you are able to tolerate your triggers. It can also boost your confidence in facing life's challenges.

There are a variety of treatments for exposure, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist could advise you to practice with a partner or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you can gradually face the scenario in real life with the help of your therapy therapist's help. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure as needed.

During the session, the therapist teaches you how to relax and manage your emotions, and then introduces you triggers that make you feel scared. This can include techniques like mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that triggers anxiety, such avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.

The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy method that suits your personality and needs. This could include using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.

In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or event that you're scared of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else touch your arm. This technique can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be difficult to squeeze in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist who is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. It's an excellent idea to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a broad range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations may not be able in meditation that requires movements.

Other therapies meds that treat depression and anxiety can be used to relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage anxiety by using relaxation exercises, calming breaths, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapeutic setting. They are usually employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can decrease the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energetic and, in turn, lessen your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it is realistic to be concerned about a possibility that might occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to relieve stress. It what is best treatment for anxiety; explanation, based upon an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.