Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone fears and worries at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for instance, helps to reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety then medication could be a good option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are very helpful in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals can prescribe them. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they have to get special training in doing this.
Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to reduce anxiety. They can also find 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.
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. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for treating anxiety disorders . It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share certain common treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns that can cause anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist will also help patients identify and alter behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.
The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods include identifying and changing the way that the patient thinks that lead to overgeneralization catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop techniques to cope with 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".
Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. It involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by imagining or confronting the situation or object in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location might be encouraged to visit the place in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to give a speech before a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, the results are not conclusive and further research is required. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than any one by itself. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be especially effective in patients suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you confront things that make you anxious in a secure setting with a professional. The process may sound difficult, but it can help you learn that your fears aren't based on fact and you can accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to face the challenges of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. You can then gradually face the scenario with your therapist’s assistance. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the amount of exposure if necessary.
During a session the therapist will show you to relax and cope with your emotions before introducing you to the triggers that cause you fear. This may include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, such avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a series of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist can help you choose an exposure therapy method that is suited to your personal style and needs. This could mean using a hierarchical system to determine the sequence in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior the start of.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the thing or event that you're scared of. This might be as simple as crossing the bridge or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat specific anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide variety of treatments for health that are not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This kind of meditation is suitable for almost anyone and does not require any special equipment or knowledge. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation that requires movements.
Other therapies that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often combined with other forms therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess your fears and determine the probability that they'll happen. You can apply strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, taking into consideration the pros and cons of a situation, and determining if it is reasonable to worry about something that might occur.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, can be employed to treat stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.