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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone fears and worries at times, but those with anxiety have a hard to control their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers that are used to lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines may help.

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

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common drugs used to treat anxiety. They raise levels of certain neurotransmitters, which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short term, but they are 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 however only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe these medications. These providers can include psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and some OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to help reduce anxiety. There are also ways to relax and 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 such as melatonin and 5-HTP can also help ease anxiety. However, you should always consult your physician prior to taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements can be utilized as part of a comprehensive therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and supported by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share certain common treatment goals and methods.

The first step in CBT is to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns that can cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist also helps patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies that they have learned in everyday life.

In the end, the final goal is to help patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will enable patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.

CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies for coping for 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".

The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. It involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the object or scenario in real life. For example, a patient suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to go to the location where they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking might be encouraged to deliver a speech front of an audience.

Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than either one by itself. Combinations of benzodiazepines and CBT have been shown to be particularly efficacious in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you confront things that scare you in a secure setting with a therapy. It may sound like a daunting process, but it can help you learn that your fears aren't based on fact and that you are able to accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to take on the challenges of life.

There are several different types of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment , if you're nervous about 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 your therapy therapist's help. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure if necessary.

During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax and manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel fearful. This could include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided imagery. They can also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that leads to anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.

The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your anxiety. For example, flying on a flight or being with strangers. Your therapist will then help you choose an approach to exposure therapy that will suit your personality and needs. This could include using a hierarchy to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to beginning.

In vivo exposure therapy is directly facing the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as walking across an overpass or having someone touch your arm. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.

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In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. You can also read reviews and ask family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies include a range of health treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones in your body.

Recent research found that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by everyone, and doesn't require special equipment or training. However, people with physical limitations may not be able in meditative practices that involve movement.

Other treatments that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in the context of a treatment facility. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic and can help reduce your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you recognize and confront negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to assess your the probability of occurring. You can use strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, considering the pros and cons of the situation, and determining if it's realistic to be worried about something that could occur.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese technique that is used to alleviate anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians could cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.