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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

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

Self-help strategies may also help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't helping anxiety, medication might be an option. Anxiety medications reduce fear signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short-term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't 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 professionals can prescribe these medications. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method 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 or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Using supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and methods.

CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to identify the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist also helps patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in everyday life.

The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and become more resilient.

CBT methods focus on identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thoughts, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Therapists also help the patient to develop coping skills for stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to 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. natural remedies to treat anxiety involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the situation or object in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a certain location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the place where they were attacked. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of public speaking, might be encouraged to give an address in front of an audience.

Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than each alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been shown to be particularly efficacious in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods to manage anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a safe environment with a therapist. It might seem daunting but it can help you recognize that your fears aren't justifiable and you can tolerate your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in navigating the obstacles of life.

There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. If you're afraid to speak in public, your therapist might advise you to practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you can slowly face the situation in real life with the help of your counselor's assistance. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the amount of exposure if necessary.

During a session your therapist will show you to relax and cope with your feelings before introducing you to the triggers that create anxiety. This can include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided images. They can also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that causes anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.

The first step is to determine the thing or event that triggers your anxiety, such as flying on a plane or in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy method that is suited to your personal style and needs. This could involve establishing an order of exposure to determine the order in which exposures are given or a relaxation practice prior to starting.

In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or situation you are scared of. This might be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone touch your arm. This technique can be used to treat certain anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.





It can be challenging to squeeze in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a certified specialist by contacting your local psychology association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or 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 reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones in your body.

A recent study has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to promote mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, those who have physical limitations may not be able in meditation practices that require moving.

Other therapies that can be used to ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in an environment for treatment. They are usually used in combination with other types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

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

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and determining whether it is reasonable to worry about what could occur.

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to relieve stress. It is based on an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridian can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM approaches.