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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 managing their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers, which are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can aid in managing.

Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. Exercise, for instance, helps to reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

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If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication may be a viable alternative. Anxiety medications help to suppress fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often 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.

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. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Only licensed health professionals can prescribe medications to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychiatrists, psychologists doctors of primary care and OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must be trained specifically to do this.

Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to ease anxiety. They can also find relaxation methods to reduce stress like mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. 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 may aid in easing anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a complete therapy program that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and backed by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behaviors that create anxiety. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that cause anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment 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 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 like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist also assists the patient develop strategies for coping for anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking subject or event. This may be done through creating a mental picture of the object or the situation or directly confronting it in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who is afraid of a particular area could be urged to visit the place where they were abused. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, may be encouraged to give an address in front of an audience.

Some studies have proven that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. However, these results are mixed and more research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective in those suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.

Exposure therapy

One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront the things that scare you in a secure environment with a therapy. It might seem daunting, but the process can help you recognize that your fears aren't justifiable and that you are able to be able to accept the triggers. It will also increase your confidence in dealing with the challenges of life.

There are many different types of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality 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 your friend. Then, you'll be able to gradually confront the situation in real life with the help of your counselor's assistance. During each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're feeling anxious or scared and adjust the intensity depending on the needs.

During the course of a session the therapist will show you how to relax and cope with your feelings before explaining the triggers that cause you fear. This may include mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, such avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.

The first step is to determine what triggers your anxiety. For instance, being on a flight or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist will assist you select an exposure therapy method that suits your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order to determine the order in which exposures are given or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.

In vivo therapy requires you to confront the situation or thing that you are afraid of. This could be as simple as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.

It can be difficult to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist that 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. It's also a good idea to look up reviews and ask relatives or friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of health treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. These treatments can include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They also can reduce depression symptoms by lowering the levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or knowledge. However, people with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditative practices that involve movements.

Other therapies that can help relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling your anxiety through focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breath and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within an environment for treatment. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.

Regular exercise and eating balanced meals are two more ways to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic which can lessen your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you to identify and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to assess your fears and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can use strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences by considering the pros and cons of a situation, and determining if it is reasonable to worry about something that could occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique, can be utilized to alleviate stress. It is based on an assessment of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) 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 methods.