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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone fears and worries at times, but people with anxiety have a hard managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

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

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't working then medication could be a good alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses anxiety signals and the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

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Only licensed health care professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as well as primary care physicians, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

Certain people utilize alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find methods to relax and relieve 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 5-HTP and melatonin may help to ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety, or any other health condition. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for treating anxiety disorders. It targets abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share some common goals for treatment and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviors. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their daily life.

The ultimate goal is to help patients become their own therapists by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative emotions and improve their resilience.

CBT methods involve identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thoughts, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. In addition, therapists will assist the patient in developing strategies for dealing with anxiety-provoking situations. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment can be applied to any type 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 anxiety-provoking object or circumstance. This can be done by imagining or confronting the object or scenario 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 abused. Or, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder who is scared of speaking in public might be urged to speak in front of a group.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as 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 lets you confront things that make you anxious in a safe environment with a professional. It may seem difficult, but the process can help you recognize that your fears aren't justifiable and that you are able to accept your triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with the obstacles of life.

There are many kinds of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're scared of speaking in public, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually face the scenario with your therapist’s support. Each session your therapist will be able to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the intensity according to the need.

During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that make you feel anxious. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging the behaviors that cause anxiety, like avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to identify what triggers your anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being with strangers. Your therapist will assist you select an exposure therapy method that is suited to your personal style and needs. This could mean using an orderly system to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation techniques prior to beginning.

In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.

It can be challenging to squeeze in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for a certified specialist by contacting your local psychology association or mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a broad array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also aid in relieving symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.

Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of meditation techniques to promote mindfulness, or the ability of being present in the moment while let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by everyone, and does not require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations may not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.

Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by the focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapy setting. These methods are often combined with other forms therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can lower the heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more relaxed and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess your fears and determine their likelihood of occurring. You can use strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an event, and determining whether it's reasonable to be worried about something that could happen.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that is used to help with anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For instance, a lack of qi in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.