Treating Anxiety

Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are the most common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people discover the destructive thoughts that cause anxiety and distressing feelings.

The use of medication can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety such as a fast heartbeat or shaking. Patients must consult with their doctor to find the right dosage and medication for them.

Medications

Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping well, but there are treatment options that can aid. Medication can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life while addressing the root causes. Combining therapy with medication can have a bigger impact on mood and quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root cause of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals which create a sense calm. The most popular kind of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and boost the amount available, making it easier to feel more calm. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other types of antidepressants that may also be used for anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are effective in relieving anxiety symptoms. They do this by affecting brain receptors which produce a calming affect. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can be addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also do not work well over time.

Other antianxiety medications such as quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequently reported adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction in a few individuals.

Other antianxiety medicines like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives by decreasing the activity of specific brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, reducing the itching caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.

Other types of medications that can be used to lower anxiety are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and Tetracycline. These are usually used when other treatments fail. Other prescription medicines that have been shown to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not specifically approved for this purpose, however they can be prescribed off label by certain doctors.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders can sometimes be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist may also offer assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the root factors that cause anxiety. The physical presence of the therapist is also important for anxiety sufferers; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and gives a sense security to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method helps you develop specific skills to directly manage your worries and gradually return you back to things you've stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually encounter the object or circumstance that causes anxiety, and then overcome your anxieties.

Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of why you're so worried and how your imagination can make you believe that dangers are not actually there. The therapist will also teach you the physiological basis behind the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by things which are generally harmless.

Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting approximately an hour each and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. You may need to test several before you discover a therapist you are comfortable with.

Self-help methods can be beneficial additions to psychotherapy, for example meditation, relaxation exercises and breathing techniques. You can lessen anxiety by ensuring you get enough rest, exercising regularly, and avoid caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress relieving factor. Try to include more laughter into your daily life. In the event that you experience an extreme anxiety attack that threatens your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for an emergency treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is not often needed, but can be extremely beneficial. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy, however they can help in certain situations.

Lifestyle changes

There are many lifestyle modifications that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, could help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and employing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be a challenge to find a fitness program that is suitable for you, however even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been shown to be effective at treating depression gerd and anxiety panic attacks treatment anxiety disorders. While the mechanisms remain not clear, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.

It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and often hampered by poor methodology. While certain studies show potential, the majority of these therapies don't have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to recommend them as a treatment option.

In addition, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can aggravate or trigger anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvements, including the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been shown to help reduce anxiety, however more research is needed, including programs for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, as well as controlled prospective studies.

It has been proven that other supplements in the diet like omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements may decrease the production of inflammatory chemicals and improve the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can ease anxiety, for example, increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables as well as incorporating more whole grains, and avoiding all processed foods.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Clinical studies have only recently been conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of natural products that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan as well as l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms by altering neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.

Many people who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, ranging from a temporary feeling of nervousness or anxiety that can occur prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the pervasive tension and unease that characterize more serious kinds of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms that include headaches, trembling and sweating and sleeplessness.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps patients to identify and respond to thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication, this approach can aid in treating anxiety and alleviate symptoms like depression and fatigue.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are well-known for their benefits to heart health, however, they also have the potential to improve brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds as well as walnuts, chia and flax seeds.

It is important to remember that herbal and dietary supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a possibility that certain products could be infected with other substances or cause negative side effects that could be dangerous. If you are considering taking supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, consult your doctor before starting any treatment plan so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you may be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.