Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

People with anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. Exercise, for example, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medications help to suppress fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil 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, but they are addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These providers can include psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and OB-GYNs. They must also receive special training to prescribe medications.

Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also ways to relax and relieve 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 ways to treat anxiety supplements such as 5-HTP and melatonin can aid in easing anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety, or any other health condition. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and supported by empirical evidence. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they share some common goals for treatment and methods.

CBT starts by identifying dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. Therapists can also help patients recognize and modify their behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist will ask patients to keep diaries or "thought records" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.

Eventually, the aim is to train patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will help them overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and be more resilient.

CBT techniques involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop techniques to cope with anxiety and panic attacks treatment-provoking situations. These techniques can be employed to treat any type 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 of the object or the situation, or by confronting it directly in real life. For example, a patient suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular location might be encouraged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to give a speech before a group.

Some studies have proven that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is needed. Combining non medication treatment for anxiety with CBT is generally more effective than one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly effective in people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is among the most effective ways for treating anxiety. It can help you confront the things you are scared of in a comfortable setting with a therapist. It might seem daunting but the process can help you recognize that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to tolerate your triggers. It can also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.

There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. You can then gradually face the scenario with your therapist’s assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the amount of exposure as needed.

During the session, your therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces you triggers that cause you to feel fearful. This may include meditation, a rhythmic breathing, and guided images. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, like being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted over a series of weekly sessions. some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose the method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could include using an orderly system to determine the order in which exposures are made or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning.

In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as walking across the bridge or having someone touch your arm. This method can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be difficult to squeeze in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a certified specialist by contacting your local psychological association or mental health network. It's an excellent idea to review reviews and ask your relatives or friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

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

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be done by almost anyone, and does not require any special equipment or training. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation practices that require moving.

Other therapies that can be used to reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breathing techniques, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in the context of a treatment facility. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more relaxed, which in turn can decrease your feelings of anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you how to identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can use strategies such as comparing your fears to past experiences as well as taking into consideration the pros and cons of the situation, and determining whether or not it's realistic to be worried about something that might happen.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is employed to alleviate anxiety. It is based on the evaluation of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.