Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and anxious at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for example helps reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping anxiety, medication might be a viable option. Anxiety medications help to suppress fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are among the most popular medication used to treat high functioning anxiety treatment. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe these medications. These include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary health care doctors, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to help reduce anxiety. They can also discover ways to relax and 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.

Finally, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety, or any other health condition. Supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and methods.

CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to identify the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter 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.

The ultimate aim is to train patients to become their own therapists by helping them to understand their habits of thought and behavior. This will help them dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and improve their resilience.

CBT techniques involve identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist can also help the patient develop strategies to cope 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".

The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. It involves exposure to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by imagining the object or situation, or by directly confronting it in real life. For example, a patient suffering from PTSD who fears a specific area could be urged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to make an address in front of an audience.

Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly effective for patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety 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 a therapist. It might seem daunting but the process can help you recognize that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to be able to accept the triggers. It can also help increase your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.

There are many different types of exposure therapies, such as imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist may advise you to practice with a partner or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you can slowly face the situation in real life with your therapist's support. During each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the intensity as needed.

In the course of a session the therapist will show you how to calm and manage your emotions, before explaining the triggers that trigger your fear. This may include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in habit that causes anxiety, like staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome the fear.

The first step is to determine the thing or event that triggers anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you select an exposure therapy approach that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could mean using a hierarchical system to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior the start of.

In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone touch your arm. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.

In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. 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 suggestions.

Complementary therapies

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

Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of meditation techniques to promote mindfulness, or the ability of staying in the present moment and letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for almost anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able participate in meditation that requires moving.

Other treatments that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or in the context of a best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder treatment for generalized anxiety (aragaon.net) facility. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are two other ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you how to identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can use strategies like comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it's reasonable to be concerned about what could happen.

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to relieve stress. It is based on an assessment of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.