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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

People with anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone worries and feels nervous at times. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that help reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can aid in managing.

Self-help strategies can help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't working, medication may be a good option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common drugs used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe them. They include psychologists and psychiatrists as well as primary health care doctors, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medication, but they must get special training in doing so.

Certain people utilize complementary therapies, such as exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, including 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.

Lastly natural supplements such as melatonin and 5-HTP can also aid in easing anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates lifestyle and psychotherapy will maximize 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 treating anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share some common goals for treatment and methods.

CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to implement the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.

The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety and other negative emotions and build a stronger resilience.

CBT techniques involve identifying and changing mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies for coping for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be applied to 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. It involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This can be done by imagining or confronting the object or scenario in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD, who is afraid of a certain location, might be encouraged by their physician 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 a group.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT with pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the most effective methods to manage anxiety. It can help you confront the things you are scared of in a secure setting with a therapist. It might seem daunting, but the process will help you understand that your fears aren't justifiable and that you are able to accept your triggers. It will also increase your confidence when it comes to navigating life's challenges.

There are several different types of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking Your therapist may encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you can slowly face the situation in real life with your therapy therapist's help. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.

During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that cause you to feel anxious. This may include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They can also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a number of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to identify the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, such as flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy approach that fits your preferences and personality. This could include using an orderly system to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.

In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or event you are afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This method can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be challenging to squeeze in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can search for an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or the mental health network. It's also a good idea to read reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations.





Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of healthcare treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting an active lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy and yoga. anxiety depression treatment can also aid in relieving depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to promote mindfulness, which is 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 might not be able in meditation practices that require moving.

Other therapies that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, as well as self-hypnosis. These techniques teach you to control your anxiety by using relaxation exercises breathing, calm breathing, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often paired 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, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energized and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you recognize and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies such as comparing your fears to past experiences as well as taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of a situation and determining whether or not it is reasonable to worry about something that could occur.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese method that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based upon the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.