Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are both common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns that lead to anxious and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and heartbeats that are rapid. Patients should work closely with their health care provider to determine the appropriate dosage and medication for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly However, there are solutions that can help. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier while addressing the underlying causes. Combining therapy with medication can have a greater impact on mood and quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that help create a feeling of calm. The most commonly used kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and increase its availability, helping you feel more calm. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. They do this by acting on brain receptors which produce the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can become addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They also don't do well when taken over a period of time.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequently reported adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, nausea, diarrhea and sexual dysfunction in a few people.
treat generalized anxiety disorder www.iampsychiatry.com like phenytoin and melatonin work as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety. They help reduce the itching that is caused by allergies, and help you feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors like tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to decrease anxiety. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Some doctors are able to prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been proven to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist may also offer encouragement and support, in addition to addressing the underlying factors that cause anxiety. The physical presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method helps you learn 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 then overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy can help you understand why you are anxious and how your imagination may create fearful scenarios that don't exist. The therapist also teaches you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and the reasons it is inappropriately triggered by things that are typically harmless.
The therapy is typically conducted in a series sessions lasting about an hour each. Patients are often given tasks to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist for you can be difficult. You may have to try a few before you discover a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation can be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can reduce the effects of anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding caffeine and nicotine. Humor is an excellent stress relieving factor. You can try to include more laughter into your daily life. In the event that you experience an extreme anxiety attack that could compromise your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, which is usually a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed however it can be very effective. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy however, they can be helpful in certain situations.
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 healthy diet, abstaining from smoking and alcohol and getting enough sleep and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.
Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be difficult to find an exercise program that is right for you, but even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise was also found to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is unclear but it is believed that exercise affects brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the levels of the cortisol stress hormone.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been found to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. The evidence isn't conclusive and the poor methodology is often to blame. While there are a few studies that show promise, most of these modalities do not provide the clinical evidence required by doctors to recommend them as a treatment alternative.
The relationship between food and anxiety is a complex one. In reality, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can promote the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can cause anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been proven to help reduce anxiety, although further research is required, such as programs for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, as well as controlled prospective studies.
Other supplements to your diet, such as omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be of value in helping to reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and improve the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed food.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been utilized for centuries in various regions of the world to alleviate anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural remedies has only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is a plant from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and l -lysine reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their effects on neurotransmitters which are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a range of symptoms, from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that is experienced prior to surgery or menstruation to the pervasive tension and unease that are characteristic of more serious types of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms like headaches, trembling and sweating and trouble sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy that teaches people how to recognize and respond differently to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. This approach, in combination with medication, can assist combat anxiety and reduce associated symptoms like depression and fatigue.
A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fats, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are well-known for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to note that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a chance some products may be contaminated with other substances or have side effects that could be dangerous. If you are thinking of using herbs or dietary supplements to reduce anxiety, talk to your doctor prior to beginning any treatment plan so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.