Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are both common treatments for anxiety. CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts patterns that lead to anxiety and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and shaking. People must work closely with their health care provider to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.
Medicines
Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, but there are treatments to help. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and ease your life while dealing with the root causes. Combining medication and therapy can have a bigger impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants can treat the root cause of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals which create a sense calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from absorbing serotonin from the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This makes you feel calmer. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other types of 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 stimulating brain receptors to cause a calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety but can become addictive if taken for longer than 4 weeks. natural remedies to treat anxiety do not work as well over time, so they are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequently reported adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Some people can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety drugs such as phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They help reduce the itching caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters such as tetracycline or moclobemide are also used to decrease anxiety. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medications that have been proven to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not approved for this purpose, however they can be prescribed off label by a few doctors.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist can provide support and encouragement. The presence of the therapist is also important for anxiety sufferers; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and gives a sense safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually confront the situation or object that triggers your anxiety in order to learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy gives you a better understanding of why you're so worried and how your mind can create a false sense of danger that is not actually there. The therapist will also teach you on the anatomy of the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it is not triggered by things that are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions lasting an hour each. Patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. It can take time to find the right therapist for you, and you may have to try a few before settling on one you feel at ease with.
Self-help techniques can be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can decrease anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. You can also avoid smoking and caffeine. You can also incorporate more laughter into your daily life as it is an effective stress reliever. If you're suffering from an acute anxiety attack that threatens your safety or the safety of others' safety, talk to your physician for an emergency anxiolytic, preferably a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed however it can be very effective. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy but they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle changes that, along with psychotherapy and medication, can help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
Regular exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can improve anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be a challenge to find an exercise routine that is appropriate for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been proven to be effective in treating depression and has been associated with an increased the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is unclear but it is believed that exercise affects brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe Nucleus and decreasing the levels of the cortisol stress hormone.
The practice of acupuncture massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been proven to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and is often hampered by poor methodology. While some studies have shown promise however, 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 complex. In reality, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For instance, highly palatable and fatty foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been shown that dietary improvement, especially cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can decrease anxiety. However, more research including controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs from substances, is needed.
Other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oil have been proven to be beneficial in helping to reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet can help with anxiety, including increasing the quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables, adding more whole grains and avoiding processed food items.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural supplements that have been used in some regions of the the world for centuries to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a plant that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective at controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan, and l -lysine can reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their effects on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
People who suffer from anxiety experience a range of symptoms, ranging from the transient feeling of nervousness or worry that is experienced before menstrual surgery or surgery to the pervasive anxiety and feelings of tension that are more severe forms of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and include trembling, headaches, sweating, muscle tightness and trouble sleeping.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is a successful treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches people how to recognize and react differently to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. This approach, in combination with medication, can assist treat anxiety as well as reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like herring, mackerel, and salmon can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, mackerel and herring, are renowned for their benefits to heart health, however, they also have the potential to improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is crucial to remember that dietary and herbal products are not controlled by the FDA the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that some products could be contaminated or have harmful side effects. If you're considering using herbs or dietary supplements to manage anxiety, consult your doctor before starting any treatment plan so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you might be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.