Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to control their reactions. Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. Psychotherapy can help, as does medication like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies can also aid in easing symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relax the body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication to treat anxiety may be a viable alternative treatment for depression and anxiety. Anxiety medications reduce anxiety signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants, the most popular non medication treatment for anxiety used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters, which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first drugs prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial 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, however only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe these medications. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and some OBGYNs. They must also receive special training to prescribe medication.

Some people use alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also discover ways to relax and relieve 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 melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for high functioning anxiety treatment or any other condition. Using supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and techniques.

CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist also helps patients identify and change avoidance behaviours. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies that they've learned in daily life.

Eventually, the goal is to teach patients to be their own therapists by helping them to understand their habits of thought and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.

CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies to cope for anxiety-provoking 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".

The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain location could be encouraged to go to the location in which they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to give an address before a group.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you face the things that scare you in a secure setting with the help of a therapy. The process might sound daunting, but it can help you learn that your fears are not based on reality and that you can tolerate the discomfort of your triggers. It will also increase your confidence when it comes to navigating life's challenges.

There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.

During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces triggers that make you feel fearful. This could include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided images. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that triggers anxiety, like avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist can help you select the best exposure therapy method that suits your personal style and needs. This could include using a hierarchical system to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior to starting.

In vivo exposure therapy is directly facing the thing or event that you're scared of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge 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 in your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. It's an excellent idea to read reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies include a range of health treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones in your body.

Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type 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 meditative practice that involves moving.

Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by the focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are typically used in conjunction with other types of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are another way to reduce anxiety. 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 anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you how to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it's reasonable to be worried about a possibility that might occur.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is used to treat anxiety. It is based on an assessment of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, which is located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.