Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people with anxiety have a hard time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medication like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication could be an alternative. Anxiety medications can help reduce fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first 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.
Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and some OB-GYNs. They must also receive special training to prescribe medication.
Certain people make use of complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. They can also find 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.
Additionally natural supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin may help ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Utilizing 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 the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by evidence-based research. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist may also assist patients identify and alter avoidance behaviors. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative feelings and become more resilient.
CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. In addition, therapists will assist the patient in developing coping skills for stressful situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. This involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by imagining or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who fears a specific location could be encouraged to visit the spot where they were assaulted. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking might be encouraged to give a speech in front of the group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be especially effective in those suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront things that make you anxious in a safe environment with an experienced therapy. It can be difficult but the process can help you realize that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to accept your triggers. It can also increase your confidence in facing your challenges in life.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy, and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist may encourage you to practice with a friend or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you'll be able to gradually confront the situation in real life with your counselor's assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if necessary.
During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces triggers that cause you to feel scared. This can include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.
The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you select the method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the order of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.
In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or event you are scared of. This might be as simple as crossing the bridge or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit in your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist that specializes in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or mental health network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They can also help relieve symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones in your body.
Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for nearly anyone and does not require any special equipment or training. People with physical limitations may not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety through focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a treatment setting. These techniques are typically used in combination with other forms of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.
health anxiety treatment iampsychiatry.com 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 is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which in turn can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears to past experiences, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of the situation, and determining whether or not it is reasonable to worry about something that could happen.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method, can be used to relieve stress. It is based on an assessment of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, that is found in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.