Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and relax your body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't working medications could be a good alternative. Anxiety best medication to Treat anxiety and Depression reduces anxiety signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They are fast-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as also primary care physicians, doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrists. They must also receive special training to prescribe medication.

Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find relaxation techniques to 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.

Additionally, natural supplements such as melatonin or 5-HTP may also help ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a complete therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and backed by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and methods.

CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. Therapists can also help patients recognize and modify their behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep diaries or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.

Eventually, the final goal is to help patients to become their own therapists through helping them understand their habits of thought and behaviour. This will help them eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and improve their resilience.

CBT techniques involve identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's thoughts, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists help the patient to develop strategies for dealing with anxiety treatment without drugs-provoking situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all kinds 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. This involves exposure to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the situation or object in real life. A patient with PTSD who is afraid of a specific area, may be urged by their physician to visit the location where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to make a speech before an audience.

Some studies have shown that combining strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are not conclusive and further research is required. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective in those suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments for treating anxiety. It allows you to confront the things that you are afraid of in a secure environment with an expert. The process may sound difficult but it will help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort caused by your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.

There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're scared of speaking in public Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. You can then gradually face the situation with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure according to the need.

During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax and cope with your emotions and then introduces you triggers that make you feel fearful. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They will also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that triggers anxiety, such being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome the fear.

The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist will then help you select the method of exposure therapy that fits your personality and needs. This could involve using a hierarchical system to determine the order in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning.

In vivo therapy requires you to confront the thing or event you are scared of. It could be as simple as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method can be used to treat specific anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be challenging to fit in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that specializes in this form of cognitive therapy. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are a range of health treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyles. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also help alleviate depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or focusing on the present moment and letting go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for nearly anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, people with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires moving.

Other therapies that can be used to reduce anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in a treatment environment. These techniques are often employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.

Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energetic which can reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and confront negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences by considering the advantages and disadvantages of the situation and determining whether or not it is realistic to worry about something that might occur.

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, is employed to treat stress. It is based upon an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians could cause anxiety. Acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.