Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people with anxiety have a hard to control their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that help lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can help.

Self-help strategies may also aid in easing symptoms. Exercise, for instance, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication may be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fears and triggers the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health professionals can prescribe these medications. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as well as primary health care doctors, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatric nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

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

Finally, natural remedies to treat anxiety supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin may help ease anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other condition. Supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for treating anxiety disorders. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders they all share common homeopathic treatment for anxiety goals and methods.

The first step in CBT is to identify the thoughts that are not working and contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist may ask patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their daily life.

The goal is to eventually help patients become their own therapists by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will enable them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and become more resilient.

CBT methods involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist can also help the patient develop coping strategies for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all kinds 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. It involves exposure to the object or situation that creates anxiety. This may be done through imagining the object or situation, or by confronting it in actual life. A person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the site where they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to deliver a speech before an audience.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. The results are mixed and more research is required. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be especially effective in patients suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront the things that scare you in a secure environment with a professional. It may sound like a daunting process, but it can help you understand that your fears are unfounded and you can accept the discomfort of your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in navigating the obstacles of life.

There are a variety of exposure therapies, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy 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 an acquaintance. You can then gradually confront the situation with your therapist's assistance. Each session your therapist will be able to see if you're feeling anxious or panicked and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.

During the session, the therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that can make you feel fearful. This can include mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.

The first step is to determine the situation or object that triggers anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose an exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could mean using an orderly system to determine the sequence in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning.

In vivo therapy involves facing the situation or thing that you are scared of. This could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can search for an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or mental health network. You can also read reviews and ask family and friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

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

A recent study has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or the ability of staying in the present moment and getting rid of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, those who have physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditative practices that involve moving.

Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breaths and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in an environment for treatment. They are usually employed in conjunction with other types of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.

Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that cause anxiety treatment natural. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels, which can reduce your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder for anxiety. It teaches you how treat anxiety and depression to identify and combat negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they'll happen. You can employ strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences as well as weighing the pros and cons of an event and determining if it is realistic to worry about what Is the treatment for anxiety disorder could happen.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that is used to treat anxiety. It is based on a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM approaches.