Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

People suffering from anxiety are unable to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and nervous at times. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can help.

Self-help strategies can also aid in easing symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety treatment and relaxes the body.

Medication

If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't working medications could be a good alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medications used for anxiety. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

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

There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe them. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary care physicians, some OB/GYNs, and some psychiatrist nurses. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medications.

Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized 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 such as 5-HTP and melatonin may help ease anxiety in elderly treatment. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements can be taken as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most thoroughly researched and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share some common goals for best treatment for social anxiety and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist will also help patients recognize and modify behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.

In the end, the goal is to teach patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will enable them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and become more resilient.

CBT techniques include identifying and changing mental distortions that affect the patient which include overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop coping strategies for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or situation. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the object or scenario in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to visit the place where they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking might be encouraged to speak in front of the group.

Some studies have shown that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective in people with generalized anxiety or panic disorder.

Exposure therapy

One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront things that make you anxious in a secure setting with an experienced professional. It can be difficult, but the process will help you understand that your fears aren't justified and that you can tolerate your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence when it comes to navigating the obstacles of life.

There are a variety of exposure therapies, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're afraid to speak in public, your therapist may encourage you to practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you'll be able to slowly face the situation in real life with the help of your therapy therapist's help. Each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're feeling anxious or scared and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.

During the course of a session your therapist will show you to relax and cope with your emotions before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that cause you fear. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They can also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in behavior that leads to anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.

The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that triggers anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist can help you choose an exposure therapy method that fits your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.

In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In-vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychological association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

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

Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to help 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 almost everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or instruction. People with physical limitations might not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves moving.

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

Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are two other ways to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic which can lessen anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess your fears and determine their likelihood of occurring. You can apply strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it's realistic to be concerned about what could happen.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that is used to alleviate anxiety. It is based upon the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when it is combined with psychotherapy and other CAM approaches.