Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety then medication could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medications can help 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 typically the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medication, but they must be trained specifically to do so.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to lessen anxiety. They can also discover ways to relax and 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 supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin may help to ease anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Using supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and backed by evidence-based research. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that lead to anxiety. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders they all share common goals and strategies for treatment.
The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behaviors. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
In the end, the goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists through helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies for coping for driving anxiety treatment - http://www.stes.tyc.edu.tw/xoops/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=1669715 -provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the situation or object in real life. For example, a patient suffering from 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 could be encouraged to speak in front of the group.
Some studies have proven that combining strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be especially effective in people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments for treating anxiety. It can help you confront the things that you are afraid of in a comfortable environment with a therapist. The process may sound difficult but it will help you understand that your fears are unfounded and that you can tolerate the discomfort of your triggers. It can also increase your confidence in facing the challenges of life.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy 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. You can then gradually confront the situation with your therapist's assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that cause you to feel anxious. This can include techniques like mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, like avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a number of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to determine what triggers your anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist will then help you to decide on an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could include using a hierarchical system to decide the order of exposures or a series of relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the situation or thing that you are afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing a bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This technique can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy may be hard to fit within your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for an experienced specialist by searching your local psychological association or mental health network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies include a range of healthcare treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This method uses a variety of meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or the ability of focusing on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. People with physical limitations may not be able participate in meditative practice that involves movements.
Other treatments that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle, calming breathing and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or within the context of a treatment facility. They are usually employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic and can help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety - https://olderworkers.com.au/author/dnrxy26rx7-gemmasmith-co-uk/ . It helps you identify and combat negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they'll actually happen. You can use strategies like looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it is realistic to be concerned about something that could happen.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese method, can be utilized to relieve stress. It is based on an assessment of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as qi, located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.