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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat AnxietyEveryone worries and feels fearful at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers, which are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines may help.Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance helps reduce stress and relax your body.MedicationIf lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren’t helping your anxiety, medication could be an option. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They’re fast-acting and very helpful in the short-term however they are also addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health care providers can prescribe them. These doctors include psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications.Certain people make use of complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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 melatonin and 5-HTP can also aid in easing anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for treating anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and methods.CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or “thought notes” outside of sessions and to practice the strategies they’ve learned in their daily life.The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them to overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and be more resilient.CBT methods include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies to cope for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to any type 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 exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the object or scenario in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific area, may be urged by their physician to visit the place where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to give an address in front of the group.Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. However, these results aren’t conclusive, and further research is required. In general, mixing medications with CBT is more effective than each alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly effective for patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.Therapy for exposureOne of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you face the things that scare you in a secure environment with a therapist. It may seem difficult but the process can help you recognize that your fears are not justified and that you can accept your triggers. It can also increase your confidence in facing life’s challenges.There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy, and systematic desensitization. For example, if you’re afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. Then, you can slowly face the situation in real life with the help of your therapist’s support. During each session, your therapist will check to determine if you’re feeling anxious or scared and adjust the level of exposure as needed.During a session your therapist will show you how to relax and cope with your feelings before explaining the triggers that cause you fear. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms, and guided imagery. anxiety attack treatment Iampsychiatry will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, such being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted over a number of weekly sessions, and some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will then help you to decide on an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could include using an orderly system to determine the sequence in which exposures are performed or a series of relaxation techniques prior the start of.In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or situation you are scared of. It could be as simple as walking across the bridge or touching your arm. This approach can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.In vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit within your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It’s also a good idea to look up reviews and ask friends or family members for suggestions.Complementary therapiesComplementary therapies cover a wide array of health treatments that aren’t considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging an active lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with 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 can be performed by almost anyone, and does not require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires movements.Other therapies that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety through focusing on relaxing muscle, calming breathing, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or in an environment for treatment. These methods are often combined with other forms therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to 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 teaches you to recognize and overcome negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess fears and determine their probability of occurring. You can use strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences by considering the pros and cons of an event and determining whether 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 a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, that is found in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.