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 can medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies may also aid in easing symptoms. Exercise, for instance, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be an alternative. Anxiety medication helps to reduce anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short term however, they can be 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 can prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they have to receive special training to do this.
Certain people utilize complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. There are also methods to relax and relieve stress, including deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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.
Lastly, natural anxiety treatments as 5-HTP and melatonin can help to ease anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety or any other health condition. Using supplements together with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been extensively researched and supported by evidence-based research. It targets the 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 goals and strategies for treatment.
The first step in CBT is to recognize the thoughts that are not working and cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist will also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them to overcome unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include identifying and reversing distortions in the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies to cope for stressful 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".
Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. It involves exposure to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For example, a patient with PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to make an address in front of an audience.
Some studies have shown that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than each alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly efficacious in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront things that make you anxious in a safe environment with an experienced professional. It can be difficult but it will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to accept your triggers. It can also increase your confidence to take on the challenges of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy. These include imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you can gradually confront the scenario with your therapist’s support. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure if needed.
During the session, your therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that make you feel scared. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being around strangers. Your therapist will then help you select a method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could involve using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence in which exposures are made or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy is directly facing the thing or event that you're scared of. This might be as simple as walking across a bridge or having someone touch your arm. This method can be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific phobias.
It isn't easy to fit in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist who specializes in this form of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a range of treatments for health that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting a healthy lifestyle. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help relieve depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for almost everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can be used to ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breathing and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are two more ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic which can lessen anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess fears and determine their probability of occurring. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether it's realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that can be employed to treat anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called qi, located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when it is combined with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.