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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for example, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with your anxiety, medication could be an option. Anxiety medication reduces anxiety signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medications used for anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are very helpful in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health professionals can prescribe them. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and some OB-GYNs. They must also undergo special training to prescribe medications.

Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to lessen anxiety. They can also find methods to relax and relieve stress, such as 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 such as 5-HTP and melatonin can aid in easing 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 incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and supported by evidence-based research. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share the same treatment goals and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to identify the thoughts that are not working and cause anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist also helps patients identify and alter avoidance behaviours. The therapist will request patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their everyday life.

The goal is to eventually help patients become their own therapists, by helping them to understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them overcome unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions, and become more resilient.

CBT techniques include identifying and reversing the way that the patient thinks, such as overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. In addition, therapists will aid the patient in developing techniques to cope with stressful situations. These techniques can be employed to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the object or scenario in real life. For instance, a patient suffering from PTSD who fears a specific location might be encouraged to visit the spot in which they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking might be encouraged to deliver a speech front of the group.

Some studies have proven that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been shown to be particularly effective in people with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things you are scared of in a comfortable setting with a therapist. It might seem daunting but the process can help you realize that your fears aren't justifiable and that you are able to be able to accept the triggers. It can also help increase your confidence when it comes to navigating the obstacles of life.

There are many different kinds of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. Then, you'll slowly face the situation in real life with your therapist's support. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure as needed.

During a session, your therapist will teach you how to calm down and deal with your feelings before introducing you to the triggers that create anxiety. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in behavior that leads to anxiety, such as staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out in a series of weekly sessions, and some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.

The first step is to determine the thing or event that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane or in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will help you select the method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your needs and personality. This could mean using a hierarchical system to decide the sequence in which exposures are made or a series of relaxation techniques prior to starting.

In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as walking across the bridge or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat specific anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate within your schedule between appointments, which is why it's important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

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Complementary therapies are a range of health treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage the healthy lifestyle. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment can include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help alleviate depression-related symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to help promote 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 knowledge. People with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation that requires movements.

Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques teach you to control your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or in an environment for treatment. They are usually used in conjunction with other types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Another method to reduce anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to evaluate the potential for anxiety and assess their likelihood of occurring. You can use strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences as well as taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of a situation and determining whether it is realistic to worry about something that could occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, can be employed to alleviate stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.