Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are both common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the harmful thought patterns which can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
The medication can be used to manage anxiety-related physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. Patients must consult with their doctor to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are treatments to help. Medication can help reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier while dealing with the root causes. Combining medication and therapy can have a bigger impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants relieve anxiety by increasing the amount of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from absorbing serotonin from the brain and increase its availability. This makes you feel calmer. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other types of antidepressants that could be used to treat anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are used quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors and causing the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety, however, they can be addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They also don't work well over time.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side result is sleepiness. Some people can also suffer from diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medications like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They reduce the itching caused by allergies and make you feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that can be used to lower anxiety are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as 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 during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The presence of the therapist is important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and conveys a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you how to manage your anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually encounter the event or object that causes anxiety and overcome your anxiety.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you are anxious and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach you the anatomy that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by things which are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions lasting about an hour each. Patients are often given tasks to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist may be a challenge. You may have to test several before you find someone who you are comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation can be a useful addition to psychotherapy. You can lower anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and avoid caffeine and nicotine. Humor is an excellent stress relief. Try to include more laughter into your daily life. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety episode that could compromise your safety or the safety of others, seek out your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is not often required, but it can be very helpful. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy but they can help in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medications, there are a number of lifestyle changes that can significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, abstaining from smoking or alcohol as well as getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques can all be beneficial.
Regular exercise is a great method to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has also been shown that it can reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be challenging to find an exercise routine that is appropriate for you, however 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 rates of remission from anxiety disorders. While the mechanisms remain unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemical by altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus and decreasing levels of cortisol.
It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and the poor methods are often at fault. While there are a few studies that show promising results, the majority of these modalities do not have the clinical evidence needed for doctors to suggest them as a viable option.
The relationship between food and anxiety is not straightforward. In fact, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can promote the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can aggravate or trigger anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been demonstrated to be helpful in reducing anxiety, however more research is needed, including assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled prospective studies.
It has been proven that other supplements to the diet such as omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. The reason for this isn't clear however, research suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids may reduce production of inflammatory cytokines and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet can reduce anxiety, including increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of natural substances that have been utilized in various parts of the world for centuries to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, an herb that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan, and l -lysine can also reduce anxiety symptoms through their influence on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety experience a range of symptoms, ranging from a temporary feeling of nervousness or anxiety that can occur prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the omnipresent tension and unease that are more severe kinds of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder social phobias and panic disorder. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms that include sweating, headaches, trembling, and difficulty sleeping.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and react differently to thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. In combination with medications CBT can reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are recognized to improve heart health as well as improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds as well as walnuts, chia and flax seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal products are not controlled by the FDA the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that certain products may be contaminated or have harmful side effects. If www.iampsychiatry.com considering taking supplements or herbs to control anxiety, consult your doctor prior to beginning any treatment plan so that they can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.