Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are the most common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts that lead to anxious and tense feelings.
Medication can help control anxiety-related physical symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or shaking. It is important to communicate with your doctor to determine the most effective medication and dosage.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping, but there are solutions that can help. Medication can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life while addressing the root of the problem. Combining therapy and medication can have a bigger impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants treat the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of brain chemicals that create a sense of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They stop nerve cells from absorbing serotonin in the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This makes you feel calmer. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants which may also be used for anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors and causing a calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can be addictive if used for longer than four weeks. They also don't perform well over the course of.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine lower the level of stress hormones in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors inside the brain. The most frequent adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Some people can also experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
A few other antianxiety medications such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives that decrease the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, reducing the itchiness caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters like tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to reduce anxiety. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Some doctors can prescribe off-label prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist may also offer assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the underlying factors that cause anxiety. The presence of the therapist is also important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This approach teaches you how to manage your anxiety and gradually return to the activities that you stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually confront the situation or object that causes anxiety, and then overcome your anxiety.
Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of the reasons you're so worried and how your imagination can create a false sense of danger that is not real. The counselor will also guide you through the anatomy of the body's "fight-or-flight" response and the reasons it could be triggered by things which are usually harmless.
The therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions that last one hour each. Patients are usually given assignments to complete in 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 methods can be beneficial as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can reduce anxiety by ensuring you get enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a fantastic stress relieving factor. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your daily life. In the event that you experience an acute anxiety episode that is threatening your safety or the safety of others, see your physician for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment isn't always needed, but can be very helpful. The use of medicines is not a substitute to psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain instances.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle changes that, along with psychotherapy and medication, could aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, abstaining from smoking or alcohol as well as getting enough rest and utilizing relaxation techniques can all help.
Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has also been shown that it can improve anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. Developing an exercise regimen that is safe for every person is a challenge however even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately paced exercise was also found to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. While the mechanisms remain unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT Neurotransmitters in dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been shown to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and often hindered by poor research methodology. While certain studies show promise, most of these treatments do not have the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them as an option.
The relationship between food and anxiety is not straightforward. Certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For treatments for anxiety and fat-rich foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that create or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that diet changes, particularly 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.
It has been proven that other dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains, and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural substances that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera), an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms by altering neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a range of symptoms, ranging from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that occurs before menstrual surgery or surgery to the omnipresent feelings of unease and tension that are more severe forms of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as sweating, headaches, and trembling, and difficulty sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to be aware and respond to the thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety in a different way. This method, when combined with medication, can help treat anxiety as well as reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring are also known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, are known to improve heart health and also boost the health of the brain. Flaxseeds can also be a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to remember that dietary and herbal products are not regulated by the FDA in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that some products could be contaminated or cause negative side effects. If you are thinking of taking supplements or herbs 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.