Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are both common treatments for anxiety. CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat and shaking. Patients must consult with their health care provider to determine the best dosage and medication for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, but there are solutions that can aid. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier while addressing the underlying causes. A combination of medications and therapy may make a bigger impact on your mood and increase your quality of life.
Antidepressants can treat the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. The most commonly used type of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which prevent nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin, and increase its availability, allowing you to feel more calm. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and others are also used to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by acting on brain receptors to cause an calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety but can become addictive if used for longer than 4 weeks. They also are not as effective over time, which is why they are not recommended for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications like buspirone, quetiapine, and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormones that are present in your body. They do this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Some people can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medicines such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives that decrease the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors like tetracycline and moclobemide, are also employed to lower anxiety. They are typically prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medicines that have been found to reduce anxiety in clinical trials are not licensed for this purpose however they can be prescribed off label by a few doctors.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist may also offer support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The therapist's physical presence is essential for patients suffering from anxiety. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives them a sense of safety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method helps you learn to manage anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually confront the situation or object that causes anxiety, in order to learn to accept it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you feel anxious, and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach you the physiological basis that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by things that are usually harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in sessions that last approximately an hour each with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. It is possible to try several before you find a therapist you are comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and meditation can be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy. You can reduce anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress reliever. Try to incorporate more laughter into your life. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety disorder that threatens your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for an emergency treatment, which is usually a benzodiazepine. I Am Psychiatry of treatment is not often needed however it can be very effective. Medications are not a substitute for psychotherapy, but they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medications There are a myriad of lifestyle changes that can significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoiding tobacco or alcohol and getting enough sleep and utilizing relaxation techniques can all be beneficial.
Regular exercise is a great method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be difficult to find an exercise program that is suitable for you, but even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased remission rate of anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms are still unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry by altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been found to be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and the poor methods are often at fault. While there are a few studies that show promise, most of these modalities do not have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to suggest them as a viable alternative.
Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety isn't simple. In fact, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can worsen or cause anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that diet changes, particularly cutting down on nicotine and alcohol, can reduce anxiety. However, further research that includes controlled prospective studies and withdrawal programs from substances, is needed.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in decreasing anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet that could be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, adding whole grains, and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some parts of the world to relieve anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and security of these natural products is only recently tested in rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan, and l -lysine can also reduce anxiety symptoms through their influence on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, from the transient feeling of nervousness or worry that occurs prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the pervasive anxiety and feelings of tension that are more severe types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include trembling, headaches, sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulty sleeping.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and react differently to the thoughts and behaviors that can trigger anxiety. This method, when combined with medication, can assist treat anxiety as well as alleviate symptoms related to it such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon are also known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, 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 functioning. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or cause adverse effects that could be harmful. If you are considering taking supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, consult your doctor prior to beginning any regimen so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you may be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.