Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people recognize the destructive thoughts that lead to anxiety and troubling feelings.
Medication can help control physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. Patients should work closely with their physician to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping properly But there are treatment options that can help. Medication can help reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier while dealing with the root causes. A combination of medication and therapy may make a bigger impact on your mood and enhance your quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root cause of anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that help create a feeling of calm. anxiety treatment natural (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin in the brain and increase its availability. This makes you feel calmer. SSRIs are drugs like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and others can also be used to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms. They do this by affecting brain receptors that cause a calming affect. They are effective at treating anxiety but can become addictive if used for longer than 4 weeks. They also are not as effective over time, which is why they are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine, and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors inside the brain. The most frequently reported adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in a few people.
A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives that reduce the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They can reduce the itching that is caused by allergies, and help you feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide, can also be used to decrease anxiety. They are typically prescribed after other treatments fail. Some doctors can prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been shown to reduce anxiety during clinical studies, but aren't licensed.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who is specialized in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the root factors that cause anxiety. The presence of the therapist is also important for people suffering from anxiety because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives a sense security to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific techniques to manage your anxieties and gradually allow you to return to things you've stayed away from because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, in which you gradually encounter the situation or object that causes anxiety, so you can learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you feel anxious, and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach you the physiological basis of the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by situations that are generally harmless.
The therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting an hour each. Patients are often provided with assignments to complete in between sessions. Finding the right therapist for you can be a challenge. You may need to try several before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help methods can be beneficial additions to psychotherapy, for example relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can decrease anxiety by getting enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress reliever. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your daily life. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety disorder that is threatening your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment is not often needed, but it is extremely efficient. The use of medication is not a substitute for psychotherapy but can be helpful in certain situations.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle changes that, along with psychotherapy and medication, can help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol and getting enough sleep and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.
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, moderately-graded exercise has also been proven to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism is 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.
It has been proven that acupuncture, massage and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is scarce and often hindered by poor research methodology. While some studies have shown promise however, the majority of these treatments do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.
Moreover, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can cause anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been proven to be helpful in reducing anxiety, however more research is required, including assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled future studies.
It has been proven that other supplements in the diet such as omega-3 fish oils, may reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet can reduce anxiety, for example, increasing the quantity and variety of vegetables and fruits, adding more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of natural substances that have been used in certain regions of the world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is a plant that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.
Many people suffering from anxiety experience a wide variety of symptoms. These symptoms may range from a brief sensation of anxiety or worry before menstrual cycle or surgery or menstrual flow, to more persistent feeling of tension and unease that are a sign of more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as panic disorder (panic disorder) and social phobias. Symptoms of anxiety can also be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy which teaches patients to recognize and respond to the thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different manner. This method, when combined with medication, can help treat anxiety as well as reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, have been recognized to improve heart health, but may also improve the brain. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal products are not subject to the supervision of the FDA in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that some products could be contaminated or cause adverse side effects. If you're considering using herbs or dietary supplements to reduce anxiety, consult your doctor before starting any regimen so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.