Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone is anxious and nervous at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications such as beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

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

Medication

If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping your anxiety, medication may be an alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat sleep anxiety treatment. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first medications prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Sometimes, benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as well as primary care physicians, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatric nurses. They must also receive special training in order to prescribe medications.

Some people use alternative therapies, like exercise, to help alleviate anxiety. They can also find relaxation techniques to reduce stress, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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 can help ease weak legs anxiety treatment. However, you should always consult your physician prior to taking any supplement for menopause anxiety treatment or any other reason. Using supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle and psychotherapy will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and supported by evidence-based research. It focuses on maladaptive thinking or behavior patterns that cause anxiety to persist. While a variety of individual CBT protocols have been developed for different anxiety disorders, they share certain common treatment goals and techniques.

CBT starts by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and then challenge. The therapist may also assist patients identify and alter behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist will request patients to keep journals or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their daily life.

In the end, the aim is to train patients to be their own therapists by helping them understand their patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow them to dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, anxiety treatment Glasgow and build a stronger resilience.

CBT techniques include the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking which include overgeneralizing catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. Additionally, therapists help the patient to develop strategies for dealing with anxiety-provoking situations. These techniques can be used to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. It involves exposure therapy, which involves exposing the patient to the thing or circumstance that creates anxiety. This can be done by imagining or confronting the object or scenario in real life. For instance, a person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a certain location might be encouraged to go to the location in which they were assaulted. A person suffering from social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of public speaking, might be encouraged to deliver a speech before an audience.

Certain studies have demonstrated that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. The results are mixed and more research is needed. In general, combining medications with CBT is more effective than each by itself. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be especially effective in those suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Exposure therapy

One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is exposure therapy, which lets you confront the things that scare you in a secure setting with the help of a therapy. It might seem daunting, but the process can help you realize that your fears aren't justified and that you can be able to accept the triggers. It will also boost your confidence to face life's challenges.

There are several different types of exposure therapy. These include imaginal, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if afraid of public speaking your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually confront the issue with your therapist's support. In each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the intensity as needed.

During the session, the therapist teaches you how to relax and manage your emotions and then introduces triggers that cause you to feel scared. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They will also teach you strategies to avoid engaging in habit that causes anxiety, anxiety treatment Glasgow such as staying clear of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.

The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that triggers anxiety, such as being on a plane or in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will help you choose the method of exposure therapy that is appropriate to your personality and needs. This could include using an order to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.

In vivo exposure therapy is directly facing the thing or situation that you're afraid of. This might be as simple as walking across a bridge or having someone touch your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate into your schedule between appointments, which is why it's important to find a therapist that is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a qualified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. It's also a good idea to read reviews and ask family members or friends for suggestions.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of healthcare treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encourage a healthy lifestyle. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicine Meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also aid in relieving symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with slight improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs various meditation techniques to promote mindfulness or being present in the moment and letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be done by almost anyone, and does not require any special equipment or training. People with physical limitations might not be able to take part in a meditation practice that involves moving.

Other treatments that can help ease anxiety treatment glasgow include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques help you manage anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breathing techniques, and visual imagery. These techniques can be used at home or within an environment for treatment. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.

Another way to relieve anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can decrease your heart rate, blood-pressure, and cortisol levels, which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more relaxed, which in turn can lessen your anxiety.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It teaches you how to identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they will actually occur. You can use strategies like looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining if it is realistic to be concerned about a possibility that might occur.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method, can be used to alleviate stress. It is based on an assessment of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) found in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.