Treating Anxiety
Treating anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which can include psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people discover the negative thoughts patterns that cause anxiety and distressing feelings.
The use of medication can help manage anxiety-related physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. Patients must consult with their doctor to find the right medication and dosage for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly, but there are solutions that can aid. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier by addressing the underlying causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a greater impact on your mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals which create a sense calm. The most common kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and increase its availability, allowing you to feel more relaxed. SSRIs include medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that could be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. iampsychiatry.com accomplish this by affecting brain receptors that cause the body to relax. They are effective in combating anxiety, but they can be addictive if taken for longer than four weeks. They do not work as well over time, which is why they are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequent side effect is the feeling of drowsiness. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in some individuals.
Other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of certain brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching that is caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Other forms of medication that are used to reduce anxiety are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and tetracycline. They are usually sought after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medicines that have been found to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not licensed for this purpose but can be prescribed off label by some doctors.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to assisting with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your anxieties and gradually allow you to return to things you've stayed away from because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually confront the thing or event that triggers your anxiety so that you learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of the reasons you're so worried, including how your imagination can create a false sense of danger that is not real. The therapist will also teach you on the anatomy of the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it's not appropriate to trigger it by things that are usually harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in sessions that last approximately an hour each and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. It may take some time to find the ideal therapy for you, and you might need to try several before you find one you are comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation can be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can decrease anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. You can also avoid nicotine and caffeine. Humor is a fantastic stress relieving factor. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your life. Finally, if you have an extreme anxiety attack that could compromise your safety or the safety of others, seek out your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is not often needed, but can be very helpful. The use of medicines does not replace psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain situations.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medications There are a myriad of lifestyle changes that could significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine as well as getting enough rest and practicing 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 improve anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be difficult to find an exercise program that is right for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately graded exercise was also shown to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is unclear, it is believed that exercise influences brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus, and decreasing circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been found to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and often hindered by poor research methodology. While some studies have shown promise, the majority of these treatments do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.
Moreover, the relationship between food and anxiety is a complex. In reality, certain foods can cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. For example the highly palatable and fat-rich foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that result in or worsening anxiety symptoms. It has been shown that diet changes, particularly cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can decrease anxiety. However, more research including controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs from substances, is required.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be beneficial in decreasing anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may decrease the production of inflammatory molecules and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can reduce anxiety, for example, increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains, and avoiding all processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been utilized for centuries in various parts of the world to alleviate anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural remedies have only recently been subjected to rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha, a herb that comes that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors such as l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.
Many people suffering from anxiety experience a wide variety of symptoms. These symptoms may range from a brief feeling such as nervousness or anxiety before menstrual cycle or surgery, to the more persistent feeling of anxiety and unease which are often associated with more serious anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social phobias. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and include trembling, headaches, sweating, muscle tightness, and trouble sleeping.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy which teaches patients to recognize and respond to thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different manner. In combination with medications CBT can help treat anxiety and relieve symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring, are recognized to improve heart health as well as improve the brain. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is crucial to remember that herbal and dietary products are not subject to the supervision of the FDA in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that some products could be contaminated or produce adverse side effects. If you are considering using dietary supplements or herbs to manage anxiety, talk to your doctor before starting any regimen so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.