Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but those with anxiety have a hard to control their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers that help lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines may help.
Self-help strategies may also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for example, helps to reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with anxiety, medication might be an option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are very helpful in the short term, but they are addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe these medications. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as well as primary care physicians, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrist nurses. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they have to receive special training to do so.
Certain people make use of complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, such as 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.
Finally natural supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help ease anxiety. However, it is important to consult your physician prior to taking any supplement for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most thoroughly researched and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for treating anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share the same treatment goals and methods.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviors. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies that they have learned in everyday life.
The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
treatments for anxiety involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop coping skills for 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".
The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. This may be done through imagining the object or situation, or by directly confronting it in real life. For example, a patient suffering from PTSD who fears a specific area could be urged to visit the spot where they were abused. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking could be encouraged to deliver a speech front of a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be especially effective in those suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to treat anxiety. It allows you to confront things you are afraid of in a safe setting with a therapist. It may sound like a daunting process but it will help you understand that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, such as imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a buddy or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you'll gradually face the scenario in real life with your counselor's assistance. Each session, your therapist will check to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity depending on the needs.
During the session, the therapist teaches you how to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel fearful. This may include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that causes anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out in a series of weekly sessions. some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist will help you select the best exposure therapy method that is suited to your personality and needs. This could include using a hierarchical system to decide the order of exposures or a series of relaxation techniques prior to starting.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the situation or thing that you are 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 fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It can be difficult to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist who specializes in this form of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a variety of healthcare treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging an active lifestyle. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help relieve symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research found that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or focusing on the present moment while letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be performed by almost anyone, and it does not require special equipment or any special training. However, those who have physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditative practices that involve movement.
Other therapies that can be used to relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by using relaxation exercises breathing, calm breathing techniques and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a treatment setting. They are usually used in conjunction with other types of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are two other ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you identify and confront negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate fears and determine their likelihood of occurrence. You can apply strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by taking into consideration the pros and cons of a situation, and determining whether it is reasonable to worry about something that could occur.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on an assessment of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, also known as qi, located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.