Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help alleviate symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication may be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most common medications used for anxiety. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These providers include psychiatrists and psychologists as also primary care physicians, doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrist nurses. They must also undergo special training to prescribe medication.
Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to reduce anxiety. They can also discover 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.
In addition, natural supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin may aid in relieving anxiety. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements for anxiety or other reason. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been extensively researched and supported by evidence-based research. It targets maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and then challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist will request patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety and other negative emotions and build a stronger resilience.
CBT techniques include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient which include overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies for coping to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the subject or situation in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a specific location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the location in which they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, could be encouraged to make an address before a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. However, these results are not conclusive and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective for people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you confront things that scare you in a secure environment with the help of a therapy. The process might sound daunting but it will help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort caused by your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.
There are Iam Psychiatry of exposure therapies, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with a friend. Then, you'll be able to gradually face the scenario in real life with your counselor's assistance. During each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the level of exposure as needed.
In an appointment the therapist will show you to calm down and deal with your feelings before introducing you to the triggers that trigger your fear. This could include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome the fear.
The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will then help you select a method of exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could involve using a hierarchical system to decide the order in which exposures are performed or a series of relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the thing or event you are scared of. This could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to incorporate into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychological association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a broad array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also help relieve depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.
Recent research found that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be performed by anyone, and it doesn't require special equipment or training. However, those who have physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation practices that require moving.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are two other ways to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels and can help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an event, and determining whether it is realistic to be concerned about a possibility that might occur.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based upon an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians could cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.