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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 and medications like beta blockers that are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines may help.

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

Medication

If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't working, medication may be a good option. Anxiety medication suppresses anxiety signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular medications used for anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also used to combat 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 are able to prescribe them. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary care physicians, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they have to get special training in doing so.

Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also ways to relax and reduce stress like 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.

Additionally, natural supplements such as 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in relieving anxiety. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)





Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for treating anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Although a variety of individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share some common goals for treatment and techniques.

CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist may also assist patients identify and alter avoidance behavior. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies they've learned in daily life.

The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and become more resilient.

CBT methods include the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will help the patient to develop strategies for dealing with stressful situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat any type 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 exposing the patient to the situation or object that causes them anxiety. This could be done by creating a mental picture of the object or the situation, or by directly confronting it in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD, who is afraid of a specific location, could be urged by their doctor to visit the location in which they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder who fears speaking in public might be urged to give a speech in front of a group.

Certain studies have demonstrated that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective for people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront things that make you anxious in a secure environment with an experienced therapist. It can be difficult but the process can help you recognize that your fears are not justified and that you can be able to accept the triggers. It will also increase your confidence in navigating the obstacles of life.

There are many kinds of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're afraid to speak in public, your therapist could suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself giving the speech. You can then gradually face the situation with your therapist's support. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.

During the course of a session your therapist will show you to calm and manage your emotions before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that trigger your fear. This may include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided images. They will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, like staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fears.

The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose the best exposure therapy method that fits your preferences and personality. This could include using a hierarchy to determine the order in which exposures are given or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.

In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the object or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It isn't easy to fit in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or mental health network. It's recommended to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are a range of treatments for health that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body.

Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to promote mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and it does not require any special equipment or training. People with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditative practice that involves movement.

Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by using relaxation exercises, calming breathing, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels and can help reduce anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and confront negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can apply strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation, and determining whether it is reasonable to worry about something that could happen.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, called qi, located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can improve anxiety symptoms when it is combined with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.