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 can help, as do medication like beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't working medications could be a good alternative. Anxiety medications reduce fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most common medications used for anxiety. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health care providers can prescribe these medications. They can be psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. They must also undergo special training to prescribe medications.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to reduce anxiety. They can also find relaxation methods to reduce 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.
Lastly natural supplements such as 5-HTP and melatonin may aid in easing anxiety. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share the same treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in everyday life.
The ultimate aim is to train patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and improve their resilience.
CBT techniques involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist will also help the patient develop coping strategies for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds 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 may be done through visualizing the object or scenario, or by directly confronting it in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, may be encouraged to give an address in front of a group.
Some studies have shown that combining CBT and pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are not conclusive and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly effective for people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to manage anxiety. It can help you confront the things you are scared of in a safe environment with a therapist. The process might sound daunting but it can help you realize that your fears are unfounded and that you can tolerate the discomfort that triggers you. It can also help increase your confidence when it comes to navigating the challenges of life.
There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually confront the scenario with your therapist’s assistance. During each session, your therapist will check to see whether you're feeling anxious or panicked and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces triggers that make you feel scared. This could include meditation, a rhythmic breathing, and guided images. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out in a series of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to pinpoint the thing or event that causes anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will assist you to decide on a method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the sequence of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to starting.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the object or event that you're scared of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else reach out to you. This technique can be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit in your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist who specializes in this type of cognitive therapy. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or the mental health network. It's recommended to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies include a range of healthcare treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy, and yoga. They also can reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or training. People with physical limitations may not be able to participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in a treatment environment. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more relaxed, which in turn can lessen your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences, taking into consideration the pros and cons of an event and determining if it is realistic to worry about what could occur.
Iam Psychiatry is an ancient Chinese technique, is utilized to relieve stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.