Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult to control their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers, which are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can aid in managing.
Self-help strategies may also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety then medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medication suppresses fears and triggers the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medications used for anxiety. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be very helpful in the short-term however, they can be addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
Only licensed health specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers include psychiatrists and psychologists as also primary health care doctors, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrist nurses. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medication, but they must get special training in doing so.
Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized 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.
Additionally, natural supplements such as 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in easing anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other condition. Using supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for treating anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in everyday life.
The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists aid the patient in developing 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. It involves exposure to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This could be done by imagining the object or situation or confronting it directly in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking could be encouraged to speak in front of a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is one of the most effective methods to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things you are scared of in a safe environment with a therapist. It might seem daunting but the process will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and you can tolerate your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.
There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually face the scenario with your therapist’s support. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.
In the course of a session the therapist will show you how to calm down and deal with your feelings before explaining the triggers that cause you anxiety. This may include mindfulness, breathing rhythms, and guided images. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that leads to anxiety, such as staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out in a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to determine the thing or event that triggers your anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose an approach to exposure therapy that is appropriate to your needs and personality. This could involve using an orderly system to determine the order in which exposures are performed or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the thing or situation you're fearful of. This could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This method can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to integrate into your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a variety of treatments for health that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage an active lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy, and yoga. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with slight improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be performed by almost anyone, and it does not require special equipment or any special training. However, people with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation practices that require movements.
Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath, and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a therapy setting. They are usually used in conjunction with other types of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.
Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels, which can reduce your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety . It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can apply strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether or not it is realistic to worry about something that might occur.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, can be employed to treat stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.