Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are the most common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people recognize the harmful thought patterns which cause anxiety and distressing feelings.
Medication can help control anxiety-related physical symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or shaking. Patients must consult with their health care provider to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping well However, there are treatment options that can aid. Treatment can ease the symptoms of anxiety and help you live your life while addressing any underlying causes. Combining medications and therapy could have an even greater impact on your mood and enhance your overall quality of life.
Antidepressants treat the root of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain which create a sense calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from absorbing serotonin in the brain and increase its availability. This makes you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that could be used to treat anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
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 they can become addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They also do not perform well over the course of.
Other antianxiety drugs like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. anxiety recovery and SSRIs can also lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in certain individuals.
A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives that decrease the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itchiness caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that are used to decrease anxiety are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as moclobemide and tetracycline. They are typically prescribed when other treatments fail. Certain doctors may prescribe off-label prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical studies, but aren't licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be relieved by psychotherapy, or talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor with a specialization in mental illness), psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of the anxiety, the therapist can offer support and encouragement. The presence of the therapist's physical presence is crucial for those suffering from anxiety. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives them a sense of security.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your anxiety and gradually return you to things you've stayed away from because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually confront the object or circumstance that causes anxiety and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reasons you feel anxious and how your mind can create a false sense of danger that is not real. The therapist also teaches you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it is not triggered by things that are typically harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting approximately an hour each and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist may be difficult. You may need to try a few before you find a therapist you are comfortable with.
Self-help methods, such as breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation, can be a helpful supplement to psychotherapy. You can decrease anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding smoking and caffeine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your life as it is a powerful stress reliever. In the event that you experience an extreme anxiety attack that could compromise your safety or the safety of others, see your physician for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment isn't often required, but it can be extremely beneficial. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy however they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, along with medication and psychotherapy, can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
Regular exercise is an effective method to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be challenging to find an exercise routine that is right for you, however even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression. It has also been associated with a higher remission rate of anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is undetermined however, it is believed that exercise influences the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal raphe Nucleus and decreasing circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been found to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. The evidence isn't conclusive, and poor methodological practices are often the reason for this. While a few studies show some promising results, the majority of these modalities don't have the level of clinical proof required by doctors to suggest them as a viable alternative.
Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety isn't simple. Certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can cause anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvements, including the reduction of nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety, but more research is needed, including programs to help with withdrawal from substances and controlled future studies.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been found to be useful in decreasing anxiety. The reason is unclear however, research suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet that could help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural supplements that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is a plant that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan and l -lysine also reduce anxiety symptoms through their influence on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a variety of symptoms, ranging from a transient feeling of nervousness or anxiety that can occur before menstrual surgery or surgery to the constant feelings of unease and tension that characterize more serious types of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobias and panic disorder. Symptoms of anxiety can also be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and respond to thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety in a different way. In combination with medications, this approach can aid in treating anxiety and reduce associated symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, have been identified to improve the health of the heart as well as improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a chance some products may be contaminated with other substances or cause adverse effects that could be harmful. If you are considering taking supplements or herbs to control anxiety, talk to your doctor before starting any regimen so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you might be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.