Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and nervous at times. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers that are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can aid in managing.

Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety treatment meds then medication could be a good option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common drugs used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Only licensed health specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists primary care physicians, and OB-GYNs. They must also receive special training in order to prescribe medications.

Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to lessen anxiety. They can also discover 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.

Additionally, natural supplements such as melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in easing anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a complete therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common goals and strategies for Best Treatment For Anxiety Depression.

The first step in CBT is to discover dysfunctional thought patterns that cause anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in everyday life.

The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and become more resilient.

CBT techniques include identifying and reversing distortions in the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist can also help the patient develop strategies for coping for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. This involves exposure to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the object or scenario in real life. A patient with PTSD who is afraid of a specific location, could be urged by their physician to visit the site in which they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to give an address before the group.

Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than any one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines and CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is among the most effective ways to treat anxiety. It helps you confront things you are afraid of in a safe environment with an expert. The process might sound daunting but it will help you understand that your fears are unfounded and that you are able to accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to take on life's challenges.

There are many different types of exposure therapies, such as imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're afraid to speak in public, your therapist may suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's assistance. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.

In a session your therapist will show you how to relax and cope with your emotions, before explaining the triggers that create fear. This can include techniques like meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, for example, being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a series of weekly sessions, and some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.

The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being with strangers. Your therapist will help you to decide on an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order of exposure to determine the order of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.

In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the thing or situation you are scared of. This might be as simple as walking across an overpass or having someone touch your arm. This approach can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It isn't easy to schedule vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or mental health network. It's also a good idea to read reviews and ask relatives or friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of health treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicine yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were 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 emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. People who have physical limitations may not be able participate in meditation that requires movements.

Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and the use of hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by using relaxation exercises breathing techniques, relaxing breathing, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapy setting. They are usually used in combination with other types of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

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

Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can employ strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences by considering the pros and cons of a situation and determining whether it's realistic to be worried about something that could occur.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based upon the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridian can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM approaches.