Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

People suffering from anxiety are unable to control their reactions. Everyone is anxious and scared at times. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that help reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can aid in managing.

Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relaxes the body.

Medication

If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help anxiety, medication might be an alternative. Anxiety medications can help reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are very helpful in the short term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers can prescribe them. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and some OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medication.

Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also discover relaxation methods to 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 treat anxiety disorder without medication to control them at will.

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

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by evidence-based research. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that lead to anxiety. Although different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and methods.

The first step in CBT is to discover dysfunctional thought patterns that cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies that they've learned in daily life.

The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists by helping them to understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative feelings and become more resilient.

CBT methods focus on identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's thoughts that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist will also help the patient develop coping strategies for anxiety-provoking 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. It involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that creates anxiety. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it in actual life. For example, a patient with PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety symptoms and treatment - see more - disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to deliver an address before an audience.

Some studies have shown that combining strategies of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront the things that scare you in a safe environment with the help of a therapist. The process may sound difficult but it will help you learn that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort caused by your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence when it comes to navigating the challenges of life.

There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, such as imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist could advise you to practice with a friend or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you can gradually confront the situation with your therapist's assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the amount of exposure if needed.

During the session, the therapist teaches you how to treat anxiety without medicine to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that cause you to feel anxious. This can include techniques like mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that causes anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.

The first step is to determine what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist will help you to decide on an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could include using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to beginning.

In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as easy as walking across a bridge or having someone touch your arm. This method can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.

In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate within your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

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

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or the ability of focusing on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be performed by almost anyone, and doesn't require special equipment or any special training. However, those who have physical limitations might not be able in meditation that requires moving.

Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breaths and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within a holistic treatment for anxiety environment. These techniques are often used in combination with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are another way to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels, which can reduce your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. It helps you identify and overcome negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to evaluate the likelihood of occurrence. You can apply strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences as well as considering the advantages and disadvantages of a situation and determining whether or not it's realistic to be worried about something that might occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, can be used to treat stress. It is based on an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.