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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used to treat 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 psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't working, medication may be a viable option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.

Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers include psychiatrists and psychologists as well as primary care physicians, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrist nurses. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications.

Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to lessen anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, such as 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.

Additionally natural anxiety treatments supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin can aid in easing anxiety. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a complete therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment for anxiety symptoms goals and methods.

The first step in CBT is to identify 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 will also help patients identify and alter behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist will request patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.

The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.

CBT methods involve identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thoughts like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Therapists also aid the patient in developing techniques to cope with 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".

Another element of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain area could be urged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make a speech before a group.

Some studies have proven that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is required. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than any one by itself. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective for people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things that you are afraid of in a safe setting with a therapist. It may seem difficult, but the process can help you realize that your fears are not justifiable and you can tolerate your triggers. It can also boost your confidence to take on the challenges of life.

There are several different types of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might encourage you to practice with a friend or imagine yourself delivering the speech. You can then gradually face the issue with your therapist's support. In each session, your therapist will check to see if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the intensity according to the need.

During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax and manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel scared. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to determine what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will then help you select the method of exposure therapy that fits your personality and needs. This could mean using an orderly system to determine the order in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior to starting.

In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are afraid of. This might be as simple as crossing an overpass or touching your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific fears.

In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit in your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychological association or the mental health network. It's an excellent idea to read reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

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

Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to promote mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for nearly anyone and does not require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations may not be able in meditative practices that involve movement.

Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breathing techniques and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within a treatment for anxiety environment. These techniques are often combined with other forms therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are two more ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic and can help reduce your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and confront negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of the situation, and determining whether it's realistic to be worried about what could happen.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that can be used to help with anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.