Why Treat Anxiety May Be More Dangerous Than You Believed

Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but people with anxiety have a hard to control their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers, which are used to control blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.

Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and relax your body.

Medication

If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety then medication could be a good option. Anxiety medications help to suppress anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

The benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as also primary care physicians, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrist nurses. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they must receive special training to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to lessen 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 Treat anxiety and depression to control them at will.

Finally natural supplements such as melatonin and 5-HTP can also help ease menopause anxiety treatment. Consult your doctor before taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share certain common treatment goals and methods.

The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies that they've learned in daily life.

The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.

CBT techniques involve identifying and changing mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop coping strategies for stressful situations. These techniques can be used 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 object or circumstance. This can be done by visualizing the object or scenario, or by confronting it directly in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a particular area, may be urged by their doctor to visit the site in which they were attacked. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make a speech before a group.

Some studies have shown that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and more research is required. In general, combining medications and CBT is more effective than either one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective in people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments to manage anxiety. It allows you to confront things you are afraid of in a comfortable environment with an expert. The process might sound daunting, but it can help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and that you are able to accept the discomfort that triggers you. It can also increase your confidence in facing life's challenges.

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 speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you'll gradually confront the situation in real life with your therapist's support. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if needed.

During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions, and then introduces triggers that cause you to feel scared. This may include mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided images. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that causes anxiety, like avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series of weekly sessions. Some individuals require more than two sessions to overcome their fear.

The first step is to identify the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will help you select an exposure therapy method that fits your personal style and needs. This could involve establishing a hierarchy to determine the sequence of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.

In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the situation or thing that you are afraid of. This might be as simple as walking across an overpass or having someone touch your arm. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In vivo exposure therapy may be difficult to incorporate into your schedule between appointments, which is why it is important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology group or mental network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a broad range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture, best herbal treatment for anxiety medicines Meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy, and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with moderate improvement 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 feelings. This type of meditation can be done by anyone, and does not require special equipment or training. However, those who have physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditative practices that involve moving.

Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a treatment anxiety setting. They are usually used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are another way to lessen anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic which can reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess your the probability of occurring. You can apply strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation and determining if it is reasonable to worry about what could occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method, can be utilized to treat stress. It is based upon an assessment of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) found in specific meridians. A deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridian can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.