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What Is Treat Anxiety? And How To Make Use Of It
Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety

People with anxiety are unable to control their reactions. Everyone is anxious and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as do medications like beta blockers (used to treat blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.

Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relaxes the body.

Medication

If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication suppresses anxiety signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most common medication used to treat anxiety. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which influence mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram) sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are usually the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as duloxetine, dulafaxine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short-term however they are also addictive and should only be employed when other treatments fail to work. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Only licensed health professionals can prescribe medications to treat anxiety. They can be psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses can also prescribe certain medications, but they have to receive special training to do so.

Exercise and complementary therapies are used by some people to help reduce anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and 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.

Finally, natural supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin can aid in relieving anxiety. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplements for anxiety or any other reason. Supplements in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been extensively researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and techniques.

The first step in CBT is to discover problematic thought patterns that cause anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. The therapist can also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist might ask patients to keep "thought journals" or diaries in between sessions, and to implement the behavioural strategies they have learned in their daily life.

The aim is to eventually help patients become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them dismiss unfounded fears, ease their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and build a stronger resilience.

CBT methods include the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's thinking which include overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. The therapist will also help the patient develop coping strategies for stressful situations. These techniques can be applied to all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".

Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. This involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario, or by confronting it directly in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is scared of a particular location, might be encouraged by their physician to visit the site in which they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is afraid of speaking in public, could be encouraged to give an address in front of the group.

Some studies have shown that combining strategies of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. These results are mixed, and further research is needed. In general, mixing medications with CBT is more effective than any one alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be particularly effective for patients suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy for exposure

One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which helps you face the things that make you anxious in a safe environment with the help of a professional. It may sound like a daunting process but it can help you understand that your fears are not based on reality and you can accept the discomfort of your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with life's challenges.

There are many kinds of exposure therapies, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you can slowly face the situation in real life with your counselor's assistance. Each session your therapist will examine you to see if you're feeling anxious or panicked and adjust the level of exposure according to the need.

During an appointment, your therapist will teach you to calm and manage your emotions before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that create anxiety. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, breathing rhythms and guided imagery. health anxiety treatment iampsychiatry.com will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoidance of elevators. Exposure therapy is usually done in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome the anxiety.

The first step is to determine the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or in the presence of strangers. Your therapist will help you select a method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could include using an order to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.

In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the thing or situation that you're afraid of. This might be as simple as crossing a bridge or touching your arm. This approach can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In vivo exposure therapy may be hard to fit in your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive therapy. You can search for a certified specialist by contacting your local psychological association or mental health network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your relatives or friends for recommendations.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies encompass a variety of health treatments that aren't typically thought of as part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal medicine yoga, meditation, music therapy, and massage. They can also aid in relieving depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.

A recent study revealed that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or focusing on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be done by almost everyone, and does not require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires moving.

Other therapies that can be used to reduce anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by using relaxation exercises, calming breaths, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or within a treatment environment. These techniques are often paired with other forms 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 lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can help you feel more energized and, in turn, reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and confront negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. Your therapist will show you how to assess the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can apply strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether it is realistic to be worried about what could happen.


Acupuncture is an old Chinese method that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) located in specific meridians. For example, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians could cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.

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