anxiety-treatment

Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat AnxietyEveryone worries and feels fearful at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a tough to control their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. Exercise, for example, helps to reduce stress and relax your body.MedicationIf changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren’t helping your anxiety, medication may be a viable option. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They’re quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short term however, they can be addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).Only licensed health specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do this.Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also discover relaxation methods to reduce 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.Lastly natural supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin may aid in easing anxiety. However, you should always consult your physician prior to taking any supplement to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share the same treatment goals and techniques.CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist may also assist patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist may request patients to keep “thought journals” or diaries in between sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies that they have learned in their daily life.In the end, the goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists by helping them to understand their habits of thought and behaviour. This will enable them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety and other negative feelings and build a stronger resilience.CBT techniques include identifying and changing mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. Therapists also assist the patient in developing techniques to cope with stressful 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. This involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This could be done by imagining the object or situation or confronting it in actual life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to visit the place where they were abused. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to give a speech before the group.Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed 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 been shown to be particularly effective in those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder.Therapy for exposureOne of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront things that make you anxious in a safe environment with a therapist. It may seem difficult, but the process can help you recognize that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to be able to accept the triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy, and systematic desensitization. For example, 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 face the scenario in real life with your therapist’s support. In each session, your therapist will check to determine if you’re feeling anxious or scared and alter the intensity of your exposure depending on the needs.In an appointment the therapist will show you how to calm and manage your emotions before explaining the triggers that create fear. This may include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided images. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, like staying clear of elevators. I Am Psychiatry is usually conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that causes anxiety, such as being on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you to decide on the method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could involve establishing a hierarchy to determine the order of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or event you are afraid of. It could be as simple as walking across the bridge or having someone touch your arm. This method can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.It isn’t easy to squeeze in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist who is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. It’s recommended to review reviews and ask your family members or friends for recommendations.Complementary therapiesComplementary therapies cover a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines Meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones within your body.Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This method uses a variety of techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness or the ability of focusing on the present moment while getting rid of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for nearly everyone and doesn’t require any special equipment or knowledge. However, people with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditation practices that require movements.Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques teach you to manage your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breaths and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or within the context of a treatment facility. They are usually employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are two other ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which in turn can reduce anxiety symptoms.Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It teaches you to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess your fears and determine their likelihood of occurrence. You can employ strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an incident, and determining if it’s realistic to be worried about what could happen.Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to treat stress. It is based upon an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called qi) found in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.