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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but people 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 can help.

Self-help strategies can also help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relaxes the body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help with anxiety, medication might be a viable option. Anxiety medication reduces fears and triggers the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are typically the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also used to treat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe these medications. These providers can include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they have to be trained specifically to do this.

Certain people utilize complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also 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.

Finally, natural supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in easing anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your physician prior to taking any supplements for anxiety or other reason. Utilizing supplements together 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 validated psychotherapeutic strategies for treating anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment begins by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist will also help patients identify and change behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they've learned in daily life.

The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and improve their resilience.

CBT techniques involve identifying and reversing distortions in the patient's thinking which include overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist can also help the patient develop strategies to cope for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be used to treat any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Another element of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This could be done by imagining the object or situation or confronting it directly in real life. For instance, a patient with 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 afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make an address before the group.

Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. The results are mixed and more research is required. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than any one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is among the most effective ways to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things that you are afraid of in a secure environment with a therapist. It may sound like a daunting process but it will help you realize that your fears are unfounded and that you can tolerate the discomfort that triggers you. It will also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.

There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal 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 face the scenario in real life with the help of your therapist's support. During each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.

During an appointment your therapist will show you to calm down and deal with your emotions before introducing you to the triggers that trigger your fear. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, for example, being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a series of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to identify the situation or object that triggers anxiety, such as being on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy approach that suits your personal style and needs. This could involve establishing an order of exposure to determine the order of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.

In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone touch your arm. This method can be used to treat specific fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In-vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or mental health network. It's recommended to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a broad variety of treatments for health that are not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy and yoga. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing 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 symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or the ability of staying in the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and does not require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation that requires movement.

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Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety by focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a treatment setting. These techniques are typically used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. 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 energetic which can decrease your feelings of anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It teaches you how to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by 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 ancient Chinese technique that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on a study of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, also known as Qi, which is located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the kidney or spleen meridian can trigger anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.