What Treating Anxiety Experts Want You To Know
Treating Anxiety
The treatment of anxiety usually involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the destructive thoughts that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
The use of medication can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety such as a fast heartbeat or shaking. It is important to consult with your physician to determine the most effective medication and dosage.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping well However, there are solutions that can aid. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier while taking care of the root cause. Combining medications and therapy can make a bigger impact on your mood and enhance your quality of life.
Antidepressants treat anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. The most commonly used kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and boost its availability, allowing you to feel more relaxed. SSRIs include medications such 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 reduce anxiety symptoms by activating brain receptors to cause the body to relax. They are effective in managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if taken for longer than four weeks. They are not as effective over time, and therefore are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormones in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors in the brain. The most frequent adverse effect is the feeling of drowsiness. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to constipation, diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction in a few individuals.
Other antianxiety medicines like phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives by decreasing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching that is caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and tetracycline. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Some doctors can prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have shown to reduce anxiety during clinical studies, but aren't licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. Therapists can also offer encouragement and support, in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The therapist's physical presence is crucial for those suffering from anxiety. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives them a feeling of safety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. best natural treatment for anxiety helps you learn to manage anxiety and gradually return to the activities that you stayed away from due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually confront the thing or event that triggers anxiety, in order to learn to accept it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy gives you a better understanding of the reasons you feel anxious and how your mind can make you believe that dangers are not actually there. The psychotherapist will also explain to you the anatomy that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things which are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions that last an hour each. Patients are often provided with tasks to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. You may have to try a few before you discover a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help methods, such as breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation can be a useful addition to psychotherapy. You can reduce anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your life as it can be a great stress-reducing agent. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety attack that could be threatening your safety or others' safety, consult your physician for an emergency anxiolytic, and preferably an benzodiazepine. This treatment isn't often needed, but can be very helpful. The use of medicines is not a substitute to psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medications in addition, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, getting adequate sleep, and using relaxation techniques can help.
Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever and has been shown to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be difficult to find a fitness program that is right for you, however even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise was also found to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanism is not clear, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and the poor methods are often at fault. While a few studies show some potential, the majority of these treatments do not have the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them as an option.
Moreover, the relationship between food and anxiety is a complex. In reality, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Highly palatable, fatty foods can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can worsen or cause anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been proven to be helpful in reducing anxiety, however more research is required, such as programs to help with withdrawal from substances and controlled prospective studies.
Other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in helping to reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements may decrease the production of inflammatory molecules and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other dietary changes can help with anxiety, including increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding processed food items.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of natural products that have been utilized in various regions of the world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a range of symptoms, from the intermittent feeling of anxiety or worry that is experienced prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the pervasive anxiety and feelings of tension that are more severe kinds of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as headaches, trembling and sweating and sleeplessness.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is a successful treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and react to thoughts and behavior that trigger anxiety in a different manner. This method, when combined with medication, can assist treat anxiety as well as reduce associated symptoms like depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish like salmon, mackerel and herring are also known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, are well-known for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that certain products may be contaminated or produce negative side effects. If you are considering taking supplements or herbs to control anxiety, talk to your doctor before beginning any regimen so that they can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.