Why Treat Anxiety Is Your Next Big Obsession
Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but those with anxiety have a hard time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help anxiety, medication might be an 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. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first drugs prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short term however, they can be addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, but only licensed health care providers can prescribe them. These providers include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary care physicians, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrist nurses. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe non medication treatment for anxiety.
Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also discover relaxation methods to reduce 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.
Additionally, natural supplements such as 5-HTP or melatonin can help ease anxiety. However, it is important to consult your physician prior to taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been extensively researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviors. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies that they have learned in everyday life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to treat anxiety disorder without medication to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will enable them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative feelings and become more resilient.
CBT methods include identifying and changing distortions in the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. Therapists also assist the patient in developing strategies for dealing with anxiety-inducing 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".
Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-inducing object or circumstance. This can be done by imagining the object or situation or confronting it directly in real life. For instance, a patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain area could be urged to visit the spot where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, could be encouraged to give an address before a group.
Some studies have proven that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are not conclusive and further research is required. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines and CBT have been shown to be particularly efficacious in those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety without medication to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you face the things that make you anxious in a safe environment with the help of a therapist. It might seem daunting but it will help you understand that your fears are not justified and that you can accept your triggers. It can also help increase your confidence in navigating the obstacles of life.
There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually face the issue with your therapist's assistance. In each session, your therapist will check to determine if you're feeling anxious or scared and alter the intensity of your exposure depending on the needs.
In the course of a session, your therapist will teach you how to calm down and deal with your feelings before explaining the triggers that cause you anxiety. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that triggers anxiety, such being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to identify the thing or event that triggers anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being around strangers. Your therapist can help you choose the best drug to treat anxiety and depression exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could include using an orderly system to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior to starting.
In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the thing or event you are scared of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In-vivo exposure therapy can be hard to fit into your schedule between appointments, which is why it's important to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychology association or mental health network. It's an excellent idea to review reviews and ask your relatives or friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicines, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness or being present in the moment and letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for almost anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditative practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breaths and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in an environment for treatment. These techniques are typically employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are two more ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels which can lessen anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety [Blogbright published an article]. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can employ strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an incident, and determining if it's reasonable to be concerned about something that could happen.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that can be employed to treat anxiety. It is based on a study of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as qi, located in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.