This Is The Good And Bad About Treating Anxiety
Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the destructive thoughts that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
The medication can be used to manage anxiety-related physical symptoms, like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is crucial to consult with your physician to determine the best medication and dosage.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping, but there are treatment options that can aid. The use of medication can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms and allow you to live your life without worrying about the root causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a greater impact on your mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. The most popular kind of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which prevent nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and boost its availability, allowing you to feel more calm. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can 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 reduce anxiety symptoms by acting on brain receptors to cause the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety, however, they can be addictive if used for longer than four weeks. They also do not work well over time.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine, and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone in your body. They do this by blocking receptors in the brain. The most common side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction in some individuals.
Other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives and reduce the activity of certain brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching that is caused by allergies and making you feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as moclobemide and tetracycline. They are typically used when other treatments fail. Other prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials aren't licensed for this purpose but can be prescribed off-label by certain doctors.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be alleviated through psychotherapy or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives them a feeling of safety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This approach teaches you specific techniques to help you manage your anxieties and gradually allow you to return to activities you've avoided because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually come across the object or circumstance that causes anxiety and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reasons you're so worried and how your imagination can make you believe that dangers are not actually there. The therapist will also teach you the physiology behind the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by things that are usually harmless.
The therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions that last one hour each. Patients are often provided with tasks to complete between sessions. It can take time to find the right therapist for you, and you might need to test several before you find one you are at ease with.
Self-help techniques, such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques and meditation can be a useful addition to psychotherapy. You can decrease anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding caffeine and nicotine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your life, as humor is a powerful stress-reducing agent. If how to treat anxiety are experiencing an acute anxiety episode that threatens your safety or the safety of others, consult your physician for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed however it can be extremely efficient. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy however they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medications, there are a number of lifestyle modifications that can assist people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine as well as getting enough rest and implementing relaxation techniques can all be beneficial.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been shown to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be a challenge to find a fitness program that is appropriate for you, however even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been proven to be effective in treating depression and has been associated with a higher remission rate of anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms are still unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been shown to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. The evidence isn't conclusive and the poor methodological practices are often the reason for this. While there are a few studies that show promise, most of these therapies don't have the clinical evidence required for doctors to suggest them as a viable alternative.
The relationship between anxiety and food is not straightforward. In fact, certain foods can cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. For instance, highly palatable and fatty foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been demonstrated that diet changes, particularly the restriction of nicotine and alcohol can help reduce anxiety. However, further research including controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
It has been proven that other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. The reason for this is not clear, but researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids could reduce production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, including whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
While herbal remedies and diet supplements have been utilized for centuries in various parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and security of these natural products is only recently tested in rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters involved in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety experience a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms could range from a temporary feeling of nervousness or anxiety before menstrual cycle or surgery and more constant feelings of tension and unease that are often associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms like sweating, headaches, trembling and sleeplessness.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a proven 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 can trigger anxiety. When used in conjunction with medications CBT can reduce anxiety and reduce associated symptoms like fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring are also known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, have been known to improve heart health, but may also improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.
It is important to note that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, so there is a chance some products may be contaminated with other substances or have side effects that could be harmful. Consult your doctor if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements for anxiety. They can provide you with suggestions on possible interactions between the herbs and other medications you may be taking and dosage recommendations.