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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but people who suffer from anxiety have a difficult managing their reactions. Psychotherapy and medications like beta blockers that are used to reduce blood pressure, and benzodiazepines can help.

Self-help strategies may also help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for example helps reduce stress and relaxes your body.

Medication

If changes to your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety medications could be a good option. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response in the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used drugs used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) and sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are also used to combat anxiety. They're quick-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health professionals are able to prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychiatrists, psychologists primary care physicians, and some OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications.

Some people use alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and relieve stress like mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. 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 5-HTP or melatonin may aid in easing anxiety. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements for anxiety or other reason. Using supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly studied and supported by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behaviors that lead to anxiety. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they all share some common goals for treatment and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist also helps patients recognize and modify behaviors that cause them to avoid. The therapist may ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries outside of sessions, and to apply the behavioural strategies that they have learned in everyday life.

The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will enable them to eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and improve their resilience.

CBT methods focus on identifying and modifying distortions of the patient's mind that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. Additionally, therapists assist the patient in developing coping skills for stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to any type 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 anxious object or situation. This can be done by imagining or confronting the situation or object in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who fears a specific location might be encouraged to visit the spot where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who fears speaking in public might be urged to deliver a speech front of a group.

Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and more research is needed. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be particularly effective for those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder.

Therapy for exposure

Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to treat anxiety. It helps you confront the things that you are afraid of in a safe environment with a therapist. It can be difficult but the process will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and you can accept your triggers. It will also increase your confidence when it comes to navigating the challenges of life.

There are many different kinds of exposure therapy, including imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you can gradually confront the scenario with your therapist’s support. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the level of exposure if necessary.

In an appointment your therapist will show you to relax and cope with your emotions, before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that trigger your menopause anxiety treatment. This can include techniques like meditation, breathing with rhythm and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, such as avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series of weekly sessions. Some people need more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety.

The first step is to pinpoint the situation or object that triggers your anxiety, for example, flying on a plane or around strangers. Your therapist will then help you to decide on a method of exposure therapy that fits your personality and needs. This could involve establishing a hierarchy to determine the order of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to starting.

In vivo therapy is the process of confronting the situation or thing that you are scared of. It could be as simple as walking across the bridge or having someone touch your arm. This method can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder as well as specific fears.

It can be challenging to schedule vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that is specialized in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a qualified specialist by checking your local psychological association or mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies include a range of health treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting the healthy lifestyle. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help relieve depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones in your body.

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs are associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness or the ability of staying in the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation is suitable for almost everyone and doesn't require any special equipment or training. However, those with physical limitations may not be able in meditation practices that require movements.

Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breathing techniques, and visual imagery. These techniques can be employed at home or in an environment for treatment. These techniques are typically used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are two more ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energetic, which in turn can decrease your feelings of anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It teaches you how to identify and challenge negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will teach you How to treat anxiety naturally to evaluate the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can apply strategies like comparing your fears to past experiences by taking into consideration the pros and cons of a situation and determining if it is reasonable to worry about something that might happen.

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, can be utilized to treat stress. It is based on an evaluation of the excesses and deficiencies in your energy, referred to as Qi, which is located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM approaches.

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