The History Of Treat Anxiety In 10 Milestones
Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that help lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines can aid in managing.
Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication could be an alternative. Anxiety medications reduce fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs such as citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, but only licensed health professionals can prescribe these medications. These doctors include psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and some OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses may also prescribe certain medication, but they must be trained specifically to do this.
Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to reduce anxiety. There are also relaxation techniques to reduce 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 to control them at will.
Additionally, anxiety attack treatment as 5-HTP and melatonin may help to ease anxiety. Consult your physician before taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be taken in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, 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 abnormal thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns that cause anxiety. Through sessions, patients learn to recognize negative beliefs and confront them. The therapist will also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviours. The therapist may request patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in everyday life.
The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will help them to overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT methods include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient, such as overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop strategies to cope for stressful situations. These techniques can be employed 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 object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the situation or object in real life. A patient with PTSD who is afraid of a certain location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the place in which they were attacked. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to deliver a speech before a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. The results are mixed and more research is required. Combining medications with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be especially effective in those suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Therapy for exposure
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you face the things that scare you in a secure environment with an experienced therapy. It may seem difficult but it can help you recognize that your fears are not justifiable and you can be able to accept the triggers. It will also increase your confidence in navigating the obstacles of life.
There are many different kinds of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal therapy, and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist may advise you to practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. You can then gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. In each session, your therapist will check to determine if you're experiencing anxiety or panic and alter the intensity of your exposure depending on the needs.
During the session, your therapist teaches you how to relax, cope with your emotions and then introduces you triggers that cause you to feel anxious. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They can also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.
The first step is to pinpoint the triggers that cause anxiety. For example, flying on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you choose an exposure therapy approach that is suited to your preferences and personality. This could include using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the situation or thing that you are afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else reach out to you. This method can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
It can be challenging to fit in sessions for vivo exposure therapy. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist who is skilled in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can locate a certified specialist by contacting your local psychology association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a wide array of health treatments that aren't considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine as well as yoga, meditation, music therapy, massage and yoga. They also can reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body.
Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method uses a variety of methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or the ability of being present in the moment and letting go of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or instruction. People with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditative practice that involves movements.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques teach you to control anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breaths, and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Regular exercise and eating well-balanced meals are two other ways to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can decrease your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that contribute to anxiety. A healthy diet will make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and confront negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will demonstrate how to evaluate the likelihood of occurring. You can employ strategies like looking at your fears in relation to previous experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, and determining whether or not it's realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method that can be used to alleviate anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) that are located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can trigger anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.