Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the most common treatments for anxiety. CBT helps people identify negative thoughts that lead to anxious and troublesome feelings.
Medication can help control physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is essential to consult with your physician to determine the most effective dosage and medication.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are treatments that can aid. Treatment can ease anxiety-related symptoms and help you live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. Combining medication and therapy can have a greater impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants relieve anxiety by increasing the amount of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. The most popular kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which prevent nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and boost its availability, helping you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that may also be used for anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms. They accomplish this by affecting brain receptors, which cause a calming affect. They are effective in treating anxiety, however, they can be addictive if used for longer than four weeks. They also do not perform well over the course of.
Other antianxiety drugs like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol within your body by blocking receptors in the brain. The most frequently reported adverse result is sleepiness. There are also people who experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medicines like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, reducing the itching caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters like tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to reduce anxiety. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been proven to decrease anxiety during clinical studies, but aren't licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of the anxiety, the therapist may offer support and encouragement. The therapist's physical presence is important for anxiety patients. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous systems and gives them a feeling of security.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the best option for treating anxiety. This method teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually come across the event or object that triggers anxiety to overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of why you are so anxious, including how your imagination can magnify dangers that are not actually there. The psychotherapist will also explain to you the physiology of the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things which are generally harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions that last about an hour each. Patients are often provided with assignments to complete in between sessions. It can take time to find the right therapist for you, and you may have to try a few before settling on one you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation, can be a helpful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can decrease anxiety by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and avoiding nicotine and caffeine. You can also incorporate more laughter into your daily life, as humor is an effective stress-reducing agent. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety episode that is threatening your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required however it can be extremely efficient. The use of medications is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medication There are a myriad of lifestyle changes that could greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, ensuring enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can help.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be challenging to find an exercise program that is appropriate for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear however, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing circulating levels of the cortisol stress hormone.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been shown to be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. The evidence isn't conclusive and a poor methods are often at fault. While some studies show promise however, the majority of these therapies do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.
The relationship between anxiety and food is a complex one. In fact, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods promote the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that dietary changes, including restriction of alcohol and nicotine, can reduce anxiety. However, more research, including controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been proven to be beneficial in reducing anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains, and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural substances that have been used in some parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a herb that comes that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective at controlling stress and anxiety. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan and l -lysine also reduce anxiety symptoms through their effects on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
People who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that is experienced prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the omnipresent tension and unease that characterize more serious kinds of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder social phobias and panic disorder. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness and difficulty sleeping.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and respond differently to thoughts and actions that cause anxiety. This method, when combined with medication, can help to treat anxiety and reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as depression and fatigue.
A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety , which can be found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, are identified to improve the health of the heart, but may also improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds as well as walnuts, chia and flax seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary products are not regulated by the FDA the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that certain products could be contaminated or produce adverse side effects. If you're considering using dietary supplements or herbs to manage anxiety, speak with your physician before starting any regimen so that they can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you could be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.