Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify negative thoughts that lead to anxious and troubling feelings.
Medication can help control physical symptoms of anxiety like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. People must work closely with their health care provider to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly However, there are treatment options that can help. Medication can help reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier by dealing with the root causes. Combining therapy with medication can have a bigger impact on mood and quality of life.
Antidepressants relieve anxiety by increasing levels 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 in the brain, and increase its availability. This makes you feel calmer. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and others are also used to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. They accomplish this by affecting brain receptors which produce the body to relax. They are effective at combating anxiety, but they can be addictive if they are used for more than 4 weeks. They also don't work as well over time, so they are not recommended for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequently reported adverse result is drowsiness. People can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medications like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Other types of medications that can be used to lower anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and Tetracycline. They are typically prescribed after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been shown to reduce anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the root cause of anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and conveys a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best choice for treating anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your worries and gradually return you back to activities that you've avoided due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually encounter the thing or event that triggers anxiety, so that you learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
anxiety treatment at home can help you understand why you feel anxious, and how your mind can exaggerate dangers that do not exist. The counselor will also guide you through the physiology that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things which are generally harmless.
Therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions lasting around an hour with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. You may need to try a few before you discover a therapist you are comfortable with.
Self-help methods can be beneficial as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a fantastic stress relieving factor. You can try to include more laughter into your life. If you're suffering from an acute anxiety attack that could be threatening your safety or that of others' safety, ask your doctor for an emergency anxiolytic, preferably an benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed, but it is extremely effective. The use of medications is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain instances.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medication There are a myriad of lifestyle modifications that can assist people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine as well as getting enough rest and implementing relaxation techniques can all help.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be difficult to find an exercise routine that is right for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression. It has also been associated with a higher the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear but it is believed that exercise influences the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
It has been demonstrated that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is scarce and often hindered by poor methodology. While some studies have shown promise but the majority of these modalities do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.
Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety is a complex. In fact, some foods can actually increase 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. It has been demonstrated that diet changes, particularly cutting down on nicotine and alcohol, can reduce anxiety. However, further research including controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs for substance abuse, are required.
Other supplements to your diet, such as omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be beneficial in helping to reduce anxiety. The reason is unclear however, researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids may reduce production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed food.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been extensively used for centuries in certain parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and security of these natural products have only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. 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. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan as well as l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a variety of symptoms, from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that occurs prior to surgery or menstruation to the omnipresent anxiety and feelings of tension that are more severe types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobias and panic disorder. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms like sweating, headaches, trembling and sleeplessness.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and respond to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety in a different manner. When combined with medication this method can reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like herring, mackerel, and salmon can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fats, which can be found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, are known for their heart-health benefits, but they may also improve brain function. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a possibility that some products may be contaminated with other substances or have negative side effects that could be dangerous. If you are thinking of taking supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, speak with your physician before starting any regimen. They can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.