Treating Anxiety
Psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are the most common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people discover the negative thoughts patterns that cause anxiety and distressing feelings.
Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, like shaking and heartbeats that are rapid. Iampsychiatry must consult with their health care provider to determine the best dosage and medication for their needs.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly However, there are treatments that can aid. Medication can help reduce anxiety symptoms and ease your life while taking care of the root cause. A combination of medication and therapy could make a bigger impact on your mood and increase your quality of life.
Antidepressants relieve anxiety by increasing the amount of chemicals that help you calm down in your brain. The most commonly used type of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin, and increase the amount available, making it easier to feel more relaxed. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that may also be used for anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors and causing the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety but they can become addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also don't perform well over the course of.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone in your body. They do this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most common side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, nausea, diarrhea and sexual dysfunction in some people.
A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and melatonin are sedatives that reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They help reduce the itching that is caused by allergies and make you feel more comfortable.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors such as tetracycline or moclobemide, are also employed to lower anxiety. They are typically used when other treatments fail. Other prescription medicines that have been proven to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not licensed for this purpose however they can be prescribed off-label by certain doctors.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be alleviated through psychotherapy or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the root of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist can be crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it activates the parasympathetic nerve and conveys a sense of security to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your worries and gradually allow you to return to things you've stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually come across the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxiety.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you are anxious and how your imagination may exaggerate dangers that do not exist. The therapist also teaches you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it is inappropriately triggered by things that are typically harmless.
The therapy is usually 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 a challenge. You may have to try several before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation can be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can decrease the effects of anxiety by getting enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress relieving factor. You can try to include more laughter into your daily life. If you're experiencing an acute anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or others' safety, talk to your physician for an urgent anxiolytic, and preferably one that is benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required however it is extremely effective. The use of medication is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle modifications that, in addition to medication and psychotherapy, can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can help.
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 individual can be a challenge however even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise was also found to be effective at treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanism is unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemical by modulating 5-HT Neurotransmitters in dorsal raphe nucleus and reducing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been proven to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. There is no evidence to support this and a poor methodological practices are often the reason for this. While certain studies show promise, most of these therapies do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them as a treatment alternative.
In addition, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In reality, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can increase the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can worsen or cause anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvements, including the reduction of nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been proven to be effective in reducing anxiety, but more research is required, such as programs to help with withdrawal from substances and controlled future studies.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in reducing anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can help with anxiety, including increasing the quantity and variety of vegetables and fruits as well as incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been extensively used for centuries in certain parts of the world to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural products is only recently subjected to rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors such as l-tryptophan and l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a variety of symptoms, from the intermittent feeling of anxiety or anxiety that can occur prior to surgery or menstruation to the constant tension and unease that are characteristic of more serious forms of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. Symptoms of anxiety can also 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 people how to recognize and respond differently to the thoughts and behaviors that can trigger anxiety. When used in conjunction with medications, this approach can help treat anxiety and relieve symptoms like fatigue and depression.
A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, mackerel and herring, are well-known for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain functioning. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal products are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is a possibility that certain products may be contaminated or have negative side effects. If you're considering using dietary supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, speak with your physician prior to beginning any regimen so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you may be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.