Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a tough managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as does medications like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety medications could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first 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 treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they must be trained specifically to do this.
Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. There are also 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 like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help to ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Using meds that treat anxiety I Am Psychiatry with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to recognize the thoughts that are not working and contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to identify these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist will request patients to keep diaries or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural 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 in thinking and behavior. This will enable them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists aid the patient in developing coping skills for stressful 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".
Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. 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 afraid of a certain area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the site in which they were attacked. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking could be encouraged to give a speech in front of a group.
Some studies have shown that combining CBT with pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. The results are mixed and further research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be especially effective in those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront things that scare you in a safe environment with a therapist. The process may sound difficult, but it can help you learn that your fears are not based on reality and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also increase your confidence in facing the challenges of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're afraid to speak in public, your therapist could encourage you to practice with a buddy or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you'll gradually face the scenario in real life with your counselor's assistance. In each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity according to the need.
During the session, your therapist will teach you to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces triggers that make you feel anxious. This can include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided images. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, such being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will help you select a method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This might involve using an order to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the object or event that you're scared of. This might be as simple as walking across the bridge or touching your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit in 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 group or mental network. It's an excellent idea to read reviews and ask family members or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are 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 encourage the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine, meditation, Yoga, music therapy, massage, and yoga. They also can reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability of being present in the moment and getting rid of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. People with physical limitations might not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can be used to reduce anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of 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 the heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic and can help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their likelihood of occurring. You can apply strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences, considering the pros and cons of the situation and determining if it's realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that is employed to help with anxiety. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.