Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are both common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts that lead to anxious and troublesome feelings.
Medication can help control anxiety-related physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. People must work closely with their physician to determine the best dosage and medication for them.
Medications
Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. It can prevent us from sleeping, but there are solutions that can aid. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and ease your life while addressing the underlying causes. A combination of medication and therapy can make a bigger impact on your mood and enhance your overall quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. The most popular type of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, and increase the amount available, making it easier to feel more relaxed. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants and others are also available to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are used quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by acting on brain receptors to cause a calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety, however, they can be addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also do not perform well over the course of.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side result is drowsiness. Some people can also experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
There are other antianxiety drugs like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives which reduce the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which helps reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to combat anxiety. They reduce the itching caused by allergies, and make you feel more comfortable.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide are also used to decrease anxiety. They are typically prescribed after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been proven to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders are often relieved by psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This could be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the underlying cause of anxiety, the therapist may offer support and encouragement. The presence of the therapist is important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of security to the patient.
iampsychiatry.com is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This approach teaches you specific techniques to help you manage your worries and gradually allow you to return to activities you've avoided due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually come across the event or object that causes anxiety and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you understand why you feel anxious, and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The counselor will also guide you through the anatomy of the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by situations that are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions that last about an hour each. Patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist for you can be a challenge. You may need to test several 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 lessen anxiety by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is a great stress reliever. Try to include more laughter into your life. If you're suffering from an acute anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or that of others' safety, talk to your physician for an urgent anxiety medication, which is usually one that is benzodiazepine. This treatment isn't often needed, but can be very helpful. The use of medications is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain instances.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medications, there are a number of lifestyle changes that could assist people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoiding tobacco or alcohol and getting enough sleep and implementing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. Finding an exercise routine that is safe for each person is a challenge however even a small amount of physical activity can be beneficial.
Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been found to be effective in treating depression. It has also been associated with a higher rates of remission from anxiety disorders. While the mechanisms remain not clear, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is scarce and often hindered by poor research methodology. While some studies are promising however, the majority of these modalities do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.
The relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can actually increase anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can promote the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can aggravate or trigger anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that diet changes, particularly the restriction of nicotine and alcohol can decrease anxiety. However, further research that includes controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs from substances, is required.
It has been demonstrated that other supplements to the diet 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 increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet that could be beneficial for anxiety include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, incorporating whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of natural supplements that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a herb that comes that comes from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective at controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and l -lysine also help reduce anxiety symptoms due to their effects on neurotransmitters which are involved in the stress response.
Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide spectrum of symptoms. These symptoms can range from a transient feeling of nervousness or anxiety before menstrual or surgical procedures, to the more constant feelings of anxiety and unease that are associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms such as headaches, trembling and sweating and trouble sleeping.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps patients to be aware and respond to thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication, this approach can aid in treating anxiety and reduce associated symptoms like depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fats, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are well-known for their heart-health benefits however, they also have the potential to improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to note that dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a possibility that some products may be contaminated with other substances or exhibit side effects that could be dangerous. Consult your doctor if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements to treat anxiety. They can offer suggestions on possible interactions between the herbal supplements and other medications you might be taking, as well as dosage guidelines.