Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and nervous at times. Psychotherapy and medication like beta blockers, which are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines may help.
Self-help strategies may also help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medication helps to reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are among the most popular medications used for anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil, or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. treatment for panic and anxiety attacks are quick-acting, and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat insomnia and anxiety.
There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health professionals can prescribe them. These providers can include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medication, but they must receive special training to do so.
Certain people utilize complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and relieve stress such as 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.
Lastly natural supplements such as 5-HTP and melatonin can help to ease anxiety. But, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking any supplement for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that incorporates psychotherapy and lifestyle changes will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although several individual CBT protocols have been designed for different anxiety disorders, they all share some common goals for treatment and methods.
CBT begins by identifying the dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and confront them. Therapists can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behavior. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to apply the strategies for behavioural change they have learned in everyday life.
The ultimate aim is to train patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their habits of thought and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and become more resilient.
CBT techniques include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. Therapists also help the patient to develop coping skills for stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another element of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who fears a specific location might be encouraged to go to the location where they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make a speech before a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT and pharmaceutical therapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are not conclusive and further research is required. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective for people with generalized anxiety or panic disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments for treating anxiety. It can help you confront the things you are scared of in a safe setting with a therapist. It may sound like a daunting process, but it can help you realize that your fears are not based on reality and that you are able to accept the discomfort of your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.
There are a variety of exposure therapies, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist could encourage you to practice with a buddy or imagine yourself giving the speech. Then, you'll gradually confront the situation in real life with your counselor's assistance. Each session your therapist will examine you to determine if you're feeling anxious or panicked and alter the intensity of your exposure as needed.
During the course of a session the therapist will show you to relax and cope with your feelings before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that trigger your fear. This can include mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided images. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a number of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear.
The first step is to determine the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, for example, flying on a plane, or being around strangers. Your therapist can help you choose the best exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could include using an order of exposure to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before beginning.
In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the object or event that you're scared of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate within your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist that is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, Yoga, music therapy, massage, and yoga. They can also help relieve symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and does not require special equipment or training. People with physical limitations may not be able participate in a meditation practice that involves movement.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breaths, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapy setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are another way to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.
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 instruct you to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they will actually occur. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it's realistic to be concerned about something that could happen.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is utilized to treat stress. It is based on an assessment 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 spleen or kidney meridians could cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM techniques.