Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough to control their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can aid in easing symptoms. Exercise, for instance helps reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety then medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like 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 are very helpful in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. The most common 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. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and some OB-GYNs. They must also undergo special training to prescribe medications.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to lessen anxiety. There are also relaxation methods to reduce stress like 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.
Lastly natural supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help to ease anxiety. However, it is important to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be taken as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share the same treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist also helps patients recognize and modify behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.
Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will allow them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include the identification and correction of the way that the patient thinks which include overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies for coping for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be used to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another element of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that creates anxiety. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario, or by confronting it directly in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain location might be encouraged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who is afraid of speaking in public might be urged to speak in front of an audience.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. The results are mixed and further research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than any one by itself. treat generalized anxiety disorder of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you face the things that scare you in a secure setting with an experienced therapy. It might seem daunting, but the process can help you realize that your fears aren't justified and that you can accept your triggers. It will also increase your confidence when it comes to navigating life's challenges.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually face the situation with your therapist's assistance. Each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're feeling anxious or panicked and alter the intensity of your exposure according to the need.
During an appointment the therapist will show you to relax and cope with your emotions, before introducing you to the triggers that cause you fear. This can include meditation, a rhythmic breathing, and guided images. They can also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to identify the situation or object that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will help you select an exposure therapy approach that suits your personal style and needs. This could mean using a hierarchical system to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior to starting.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else contact your arm. This technique can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy may be hard to fit into your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who specializes in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines Meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight 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 emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by almost everyone, and does not require special equipment or training. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation practices that require movements.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle, calming breathing and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in an environment for treatment. They are usually used in combination with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energetic which can decrease your feelings of anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to evaluate the probability of occurring. You can use strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences as well as considering the pros and cons of a situation, and determining if it's realistic to be worried about something that could happen.
Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is employed to help with anxiety. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, also known as qi, located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.