Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the most common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts patterns that lead to anxiety and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, including shaking and heartbeats that are rapid. It is essential to communicate with your physician to determine the best medication and dosage.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly However, there are treatment options that can aid. Treatment can ease the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. A combination of medications and therapy may be even more effective on your mood and increase your quality of life.
Antidepressants treat the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants. treatments for anxiety prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin from the brain and increase its availability. This makes you feel more relaxed. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other types of antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. They accomplish this by acting on brain receptors which produce the body to relax. They are effective at combating anxiety, but they can be addictive if they are used for more than 4 weeks. They also don't work as well over time, which is why they are generally not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications such as quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol within your body by blocking receptors in the brain. The most common side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in some individuals.
Other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives by decreasing the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, reducing the itching caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Other forms of medication that can be used to lower anxiety include monoamine oxide inhibitors, like moclobemide and tetracycline. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Some doctors are able to prescribe off-label prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials, but are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of the anxiety, the therapist may provide support and encouragement. The physical presence of the therapist can be crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the best choice for treating anxiety. This method helps you develop specific skills to directly manage your anxiety and gradually return you back to activities you've avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually encounter the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy can help you understand why you feel anxious, and how your mind can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The psychotherapist will also explain to you the physiological basis behind the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by situations that are generally harmless.
Therapy is usually conducted in sessions that last about an hour each, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist for you can be difficult. You may need to try several before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and meditation can be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding nicotine and caffeine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your daily life as it is a powerful stress-reducing agent. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety attack that could be threatening your safety or others' safety, talk to your physician for an emergency anxiety medication, which is usually a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment is not often needed however it is extremely effective. They are not a substitute for psychotherapy, but they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medications, there are a number of lifestyle changes that can greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol as well as getting enough rest and utilizing relaxation techniques can all be helpful.
Regular exercise is a powerful method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has also been proven that it can reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be a challenge to find an exercise program that is appropriate for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise was also found to be effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms are still not clear, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal raphe nucleus and reducing levels of cortisol.
It has been proven that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and the poor methodology is often to blame. While some studies have shown promise, the majority of these modalities do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.
In addition, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can actually increase anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can increase the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can cause anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been proven to be effective in reducing anxiety, however more research is needed, including programs to help with withdrawal from substances and controlled future studies.
It has been demonstrated that other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can help with anxiety, including increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits as well as incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and dietary supplements
While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been extensively used for centuries in certain parts of the world to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms, the effectiveness and security of these natural products is only recently subjected to rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan, and l -lysine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms due to their effects on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide range symptoms. These symptoms can range from a transient feeling of nervousness or anxiety prior to surgery or menstruation, to the more persistent feelings of tension and unease that are associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social anxiety disorders. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as sweating, headaches, and trembling, and difficulty sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy which teaches patients to recognize and react to thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication this method can reduce anxiety and reduce associated symptoms such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish like salmon, mackerel and herring can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are well-known for their heart-health benefits, however, they also have the potential to improve brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal products are not regulated by the FDA the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that some products could be contaminated or produce negative side effects. Consult your physician if you're contemplating using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can offer suggestions on possible interactions between herbal supplements and other medications you might be taking and dosage guidelines.