5 Treat Anxiety Lessons From The Pros
Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but those with anxiety have a hard managing their reactions. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers, which are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines may help.
Self-help strategies can help alleviate symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fears and triggers the fight or flight response that occurs in the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers are able to prescribe them. These include psychiatrists and psychologists as along with primary health care doctors, some doctors of OB/GYNs and some psychiatric nurses. Nurse practitioners as well as family practice doctors 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. You can also find ways to relax and reduce 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.
In addition, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy program that includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common goals and strategies for treatment.
CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. In sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist may also assist patients identify and change avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in everyday life.
In the end, the final goal is to help patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative feelings and improve their resilience.
CBT methods focus on the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. The therapist can also help the patient develop coping strategies for stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to 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. This involves exposing the patient to the situation or object that creates anxiety. This could be done by imagining the object or situation or confronting it in actual life. A patient with PTSD, who is afraid of a specific location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the location in which they were attacked. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to make an address in front of the group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining IamPsychiatry with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of benzodiazepines as well as CBT have been proven 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 the things that scare you in a secure setting with a therapy. It may sound like a daunting process but it can help you realize that your fears are unfounded and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also improve your confidence when it comes to navigating the obstacles of life.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if scared of speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. Then, you'll be able to gradually confront the situation in real life with your therapist's support. In each session, your therapist will check to see if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure depending on the needs.
In an appointment the therapist will show you how to calm down and deal with your emotions, before introducing you to the triggers that trigger your anxiety. This may include meditation, a rhythmic breathing and guided images. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, like avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy approach that suits your personality and needs. This could include using an order to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This method is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.
It can be difficult to fit in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy. You can locate a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies cover a wide range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage an active lifestyle. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicines yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs led to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability of staying in the present moment while getting rid of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for almost everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or training. However, those who have physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditative practices that involve moving.
Other therapies that can be used to relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation biofeedback, hypnosis and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breath and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often paired with other forms therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess your the probability of occurring. You can use strategies such as comparing your fears to past experiences, considering the pros and cons of a situation and determining whether it is reasonable to worry about something that might happen.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can be employed to treat anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of the deficiencies and excesses in your energy, referred to as Qi, that is found in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency 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 approaches.