hockeytheory41

Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety People suffering from anxiety are unable to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used for blood pressure) and benzodiazepines. Self-help strategies can also ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body. Medication If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy don't help with anxiety, medication might be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants, the most popular medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, venlafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety. Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, however only licensed health professionals can prescribe these medications. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and OBGYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice physicians and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medications, but they have to receive special training to do so. Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to ease anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. Biofeedback can be another beneficial technique, in which a therapist monitors your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and teaches you how to control them at will. In addition, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in relieving anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety or any other condition. Supplements can be used in conjunction with a complete therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and supported by evidence-based research. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common goals and strategies for treatment. The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and alter avoidance behaviors. The therapist might ask patients to keep “thought journals” or diaries outside of sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in their daily life. The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to overcome unfounded fears and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient. iampsychiatry.com involve the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient that lead to overgeneralization, catastrophizing, and minimizing positive events. The therapist also assists the patient develop coping strategies to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. The exposure therapy is a different aspect of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking subject or event. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the situation or object in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD, who is afraid of a certain location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to make a speech before a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that combining strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy improve outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and further research is required. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than each by itself. Combinations of benzodiazepines and CBT have been proven to be particularly effective in patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder. Exposure therapy Exposure therapy is among the most effective methods for treating anxiety. It can help you confront the things you are scared of in a secure setting with a therapist. It can be difficult, but the process can help you recognize that your fears aren't justifiable and you can be able to accept the triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with the challenges of life. There are many kinds of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. If you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might advise you to practice with a buddy or imagine yourself delivering the speech. Then, you'll gradually confront the situation in real life with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will be able to see whether you're experiencing anxiety or panic and adjust the level of exposure according to the need. In the course of a session your therapist will show you how to calm down and deal with your emotions before introducing you to the triggers that cause you anxiety. This can include mindfulness, rhythmic breath and guided images. They also provide strategies to avoid engaging the behavior that triggers anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted over a number of weekly sessions, and some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fear. The first step is to determine the situation or object that triggers anxiety, such as being on a plane or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you to decide on an approach to exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could include using an order of exposure to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before starting. In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or situation you are afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing the bridge or having someone else touch your arm. This method is often used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears. It can be difficult to squeeze in the vivo exposure therapy in between appointments. Therefore it is crucial to find a therapist who is specialized in this kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can locate an experienced specialist by searching your local psychology association or mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for suggestions. Complementary therapies Complementary therapies encompass a variety of healthcare treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal therapy yoga, meditation music therapy, massage. They can also aid in relieving depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body. A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were linked with moderate improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness, or the ability of being present in the moment and letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be performed by almost anyone, and it doesn't require special equipment or training. However, people with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires moving. Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by using relaxation exercises breathing, calm breaths and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within the context of a treatment facility. They are usually employed in conjunction with other types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood-pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which can reduce anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you to identify and challenge negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to evaluate your anxiety and determine the likelihood that they'll actually happen. You can use strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences as well as weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, and determining whether or not it's realistic to be worried about something that could occur. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese method, can be utilized to alleviate stress. It is based upon the evaluation of excesses or deficiencies in your energy (called Qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridian can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.