Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People with anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone worries and feels nervous at times. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications such as beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help with anxiety, medication might be an option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and very helpful in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe them. They include psychologists and psychiatrists as well as primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, and some psychiatrists. They must also undergo special training to prescribe medication.
Certain people make use of complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, like deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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.
Additionally natural supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin can help ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking any supplements for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and methods.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist will also help patients recognize and modify avoidance behaviours. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the behavioural strategies that 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 help patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists aid the patient in developing techniques to cope with stressful 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 element of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to go to the location where they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to give a speech in front of an audience.
Some studies have shown that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown 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 helps you confront things that make you anxious in a secure environment with an experienced professional. It may seem difficult, but the process will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and you can accept your triggers. It can also boost your confidence in facing your challenges in life.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist may encourage you to practice with a buddy or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you'll gradually face the scenario in real life with your therapist's support. During each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the level of exposure as needed.
During a session the therapist will show you to calm down and deal with your emotions, before explaining the triggers that cause you fear. This could include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided images. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that causes anxiety, such avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to determine the thing or event that triggers anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being around strangers. Your therapist will then help you choose an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could involve establishing a hierarchy to determine the order of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the thing or event that you're scared of. This could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else contact your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It isn't easy to fit in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can locate a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask family and 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 medicines, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also help alleviate symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. I Am Psychiatry of meditation can be performed by almost anyone, and does not require any special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in a meditation practice that involves moving.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are another way to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which can reduce your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you identify and combat negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining if it's reasonable to be worried about a possibility that might occur.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to alleviate stress. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called qi, located in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.