Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people with anxiety have a hard to control their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety medications could be a viable option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fear 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 affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be extremely beneficial in the short-term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as also primary health care doctors, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatric nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do so.
Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to help reduce 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 to control them at will.
Finally natural supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin may aid in easing anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for treating anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they share certain common treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and alter behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep diaries or "thought records" outside of sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include identifying and reversing mental distortions that affect the patient that lead to overgeneralization or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. Additionally, therapists help the patient to develop techniques to cope with anxiety-provoking 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. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or situation. This can be done by visualizing the object or scenario, or by confronting it in actual life. A person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain location, might be encouraged by their physician to visit the site where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who fears speaking in public might be urged to speak in front of the group.
Some studies have proven that the combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. 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.
Therapy for exposure
Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to manage anxiety. It allows you to confront things you are afraid of in a secure environment with an expert. The process may sound difficult but it will help you realize that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the challenges of life.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a friend or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the scenario with your therapist’s assistance. Each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.
During the session, your therapist will teach you to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces you triggers that can make you feel anxious. This may include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided imagery. They will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions. some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will help you to decide on the method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could include using an order of exposure to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or situation you are afraid of. This could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to incorporate within your schedule between appointments, so it's important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist by contacting your local psychological association or the mental health network. It's an excellent idea to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicine yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They can also help alleviate symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or training. People with physical limitations might not be able participate in meditative practice that involves movements.
Other treatments that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breath, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in a treatment environment. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are two other ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that cause anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more relaxed, which in turn can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. pediatric anxiety treatment helps you identify and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess your fears and determine their likelihood of occurring. You can employ 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 worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is employed to alleviate anxiety. It is based on a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called qi, located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the spleen or kidney meridians can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.