Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to control their reactions. Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and relax your body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be an option. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which influence mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short term, but they are addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers can prescribe these medications. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and some OB-GYNs. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medication.
Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to help reduce anxiety. There are also relaxation techniques to reduce stress, like 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.
Additionally natural supplements like 5-HTP and melatonin may help ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that create anxiety. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. Therapists can also help patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists by helping them to understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help patients overcome fears that are unfounded, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and changing distortions in the patient's thinking which include overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. The therapist can also help the patient develop coping strategies to deal with anxiety-inducing 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".
The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. This involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the situation or object in real life. For instance, a patient with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to go to the location where they were abused. A person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to speak in front of the group.
Some studies have proven that combining strategies of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be particularly effective in patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you face the things that scare you in a secure environment with the help of a therapist. The process may sound difficult but it can help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also boost your confidence in facing your challenges in life.
There are many kinds of exposure therapies, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're scared of speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. Then, you can gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. Each session your therapist will examine you to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure according to the need.
During a session the therapist will show you to calm down and deal with your emotions before explaining the triggers that create anxiety. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series of weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to pinpoint the thing or event that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being around strangers. Your therapist can help you select an exposure therapy approach that is suited to your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the order in which exposures are given or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or event that you're scared of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate into your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can find a qualified specialist by checking your local psychological association or the mental health network. It's recommended to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a variety of treatments for health that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. treatment for depression and anxiety can also aid in relieving depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation is suitable for nearly everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or instruction. People who have physical limitations may not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movements.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by using relaxation exercises, calming breathing techniques, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in the context of a treatment facility. These techniques are often paired with other forms therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are two more ways to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more relaxed, which in turn can lessen your anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and confront negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to evaluate the likelihood of occurrence. You can use strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining if it is realistic to be worried about a possibility that might occur.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based upon an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.