Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone fears and worries at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a tough to control their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication may be an option. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first prescription medications prescribed. treat generalized anxiety disorder iampsychiatry.com like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do so.
Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to reduce anxiety. They can also find 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.
Additionally, natural supplements such as melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that incorporates psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and supported by evidence-based research. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they share some common goals for treatment and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to identify dysfunctional thought patterns that cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behavior. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in their daily life.
Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to become their own therapists by helping them to understand their patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thoughts, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Therapists also aid the patient in developing techniques to cope with anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be used 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 circumstance. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a patient with PTSD who is scared of a certain location could be encouraged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to make a speech before an audience.
Some studies have shown that combination strategies of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly efficacious in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you confront the things that make you anxious in a secure environment with the help of a therapist. The process might sound daunting but it will help you realize that your fears aren't based on fact and that you are able to accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're nervous about speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. Then, you can gradually confront the situation in real life with the help of your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will be able to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity according to the need.
During the session, your therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that can make you feel anxious. This may include mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to determine the object or situation that triggers anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will assist you select an exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This might involve using an order of exposure to determine the sequence of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the object or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This technique can be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or the mental health network. It's also a good idea to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine Meditation, Yoga, music therapy, massage, and yoga. They can also help relieve symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for nearly everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation that requires movements.
Other therapies that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles breathing, calming breath and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapeutic setting. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are another way to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and confront negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess your the likelihood of occurrence. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether it's realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is utilized to relieve stress. It is based upon the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) found in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when it is combined with psychotherapy and other CAM approaches.