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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat AnxietyEveryone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a tough time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.Self-help strategies can also aid in easing symptoms. Exercise, for example helps reduce stress and relax your body.MedicationIf changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy don’t help your anxiety medications could be a viable option. Anxiety medications reduce anxiety signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular drugs used to treat anxiety. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also 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 employed when other treatments fail to work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and insomnia.Only licensed health care professionals can prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and some OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must be trained specifically to do so.Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to reduce anxiety. They can also find 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 control them at will.Finally natural supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP can also aid in easing anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements for anxiety or any other health condition. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.anxiety treatment in dogs (CBT).CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and backed by evidence-based research. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that lead to anxiety. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common goals and strategies for treatment.CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist will also help patients identify and change avoidance behaviours. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or “thought notes” outside of sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they’ve learned in their everyday life.The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and become more resilient.CBT methods include identifying and reversing mental distortions that affect the patient that lead to overgeneralization or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop techniques to cope with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”.Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture of the object or the situation or confronting it in actual life. For instance, a patient suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular location might be encouraged to visit the place where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to give an address before an audience.Certain studies have demonstrated that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been shown to be particularly effective for patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.Exposure therapyExposure therapy is among the most effective ways to treat anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a safe environment with a therapist. The process may sound difficult but it will help you realize that your fears are unfounded and you can accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.There are several different types of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you’re scared of speaking in public Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually face the situation with your therapist’s assistance. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.In an appointment the therapist will show you how to calm down and deal with your emotions, before introducing you to the triggers that create fear. This may include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided images. They will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in behaviors that cause anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.The first step is to identify the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist will then help you choose the method of exposure therapy that fits your needs and personality. This could mean using a hierarchical system to decide the order in which exposures are made or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning.In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are scared of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or touching your arm. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.In-vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit within your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. It’s an excellent idea to read reviews and ask relatives or friends for suggestions.Complementary therapiesComplementary therapies are a wide variety of treatments for health that are not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help alleviate depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or staying in the present moment while letting go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be performed by anyone, and does not require special equipment or any special training. However, those who have physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditative practices that involve movement.Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle, calming breathing and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a therapy setting. They are usually used in combination with other forms of therapy, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are two more ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol level, which is an important hormone that causes anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels which can lessen anxiety.Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you how to identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess your fears and determine their probability of occurring. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it’s reasonable to be concerned about something that could happen.Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, can be used to alleviate stress. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, which is located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridian can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.