Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety medications could be a viable option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. www.iampsychiatry.com , 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) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first drugs prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short-term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health care providers can prescribe these medications. These include psychiatrists and psychologists as also primary health care doctors, some OB/GYNs, and some psychiatric nurses. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medications.
Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. They can also find methods to relax and relieve stress, like 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.
Finally natural supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help ease anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety, or any other condition. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates lifestyle and psychotherapy can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and methods.
CBT starts by identifying 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 alter avoidance behavior. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their daily life.
Eventually, the goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists by helping them to understand their patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will enable them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative feelings and build a stronger resilience.
CBT techniques include the identification and correction of the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop coping skills for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves exposure to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it directly in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to deliver a speech front of an audience.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combination strategies of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly efficacious in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments for treating anxiety. It helps you confront the things you are scared of in a comfortable environment with an expert. It may seem difficult but it will help you understand that your fears aren't justified and that you can tolerate your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.
There are a variety of exposure therapies, such as imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're scared of speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with a friend. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. Each session, your therapist will check to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity depending on the needs.
During the session, your therapist teaches you to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces you triggers that can make you feel scared. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to determine the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you select the best exposure therapy method that suits your personality and needs. This could include using a hierarchical system to decide the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or event you are scared of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.
It can be difficult to squeeze in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that specializes in this form of cognitive therapy. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It's recommended to read reviews and ask relatives or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies include a range of healthcare treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. 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 improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or focusing on the present moment while let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be done by almost everyone, and does not require any special equipment or training. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires movements.
Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in a treatment environment. These techniques are often combined with other forms therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating 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 energized and, in turn, lessen your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and confront negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their likelihood of occurring. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences, considering the pros and cons of an event, and determining if it is realistic to worry about something that might happen.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can be used to help with anxiety. It is based on an assessment of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called Qi, which is located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.