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Treat Anxiety's History Of Treat Anxiety In 10 Milestones
Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone fears and worries at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough managing their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers, which are used to reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be an option. Anxiety medications reduce fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used drugs used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are also used to treat anxiety. They're fast-acting and extremely beneficial in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. 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 care providers are able to prescribe them. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as along with primary care physicians, some OB/GYNs, and some psychiatric nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do this.
Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also relaxation techniques to reduce stress, including 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 5-HTP or melatonin may aid in relieving anxiety. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplement to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Utilizing supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and backed by evidence-based research. It focuses on the maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety to persist. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders they all share common goals and strategies for treatment.
The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist may also assist patients recognize and modify their behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or "thought records" outside of sessions and to practice the behavioural strategies they've learned in their everyday life.
The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them to overcome unfounded fears and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods focus on identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist also assists the patient develop coping strategies for stressful situations. These techniques can be used to treat all types 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. This involves exposure to the situation or object that causes them anxiety. This can be done by imagining or confronting the object or scenario in real life. For example, a patient with PTSD who fears a specific location could be encouraged to go to the location in which they were assaulted. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is scared of public speaking could be encouraged to speak in front of a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT and the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. These results are mixed, and more research is required. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly effective for those suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is among the most effective ways to treat anxiety. It allows you to confront things you are afraid of in a safe setting with a therapist. It might seem daunting but the process can help you recognize that your fears aren't justified and that you can be able to accept the triggers. It can also boost your confidence to take on the challenges of life.
There are several different types of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal, and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're afraid of public speaking, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with a friend. You can then gradually face the issue with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will be able to determine if you're feeling anxious or scared and adjust the intensity as needed.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax and manage your emotions, and then introduces you triggers that make you feel fearful. This can include techniques like mindfulness, breathing rhythms, and guided imagery. They also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, for example, being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.
The first step is to identify the thing or event that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane, or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will help you choose the best exposure therapy method that suits your personality and needs. This could involve establishing an order of exposure to determine the sequence of exposures or a series of relaxation exercises prior to starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves directly facing the thing or situation you're fearful of. It could be as easy as crossing a bridge or having someone else contact your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific phobias.
It isn't easy to fit in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find an experienced specialist by searching your local psychological association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a range of treatments for health that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability of focusing on the present moment while let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be performed by anyone, and doesn't require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditation that requires moving.
Other treatments that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing, calm breaths and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
herbal treatment for anxiety to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more relaxed and, in turn, decrease your feelings of anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you to recognize and overcome negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate fears and determine their likelihood of occurrence. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences, taking into consideration the pros and cons of an event and determining if it's realistic to be worried about something that could happen.
Acupuncture is an old Chinese method that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) that are located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.