Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people recognize the destructive thoughts that lead to anxiety and troubling feelings.
Medications help control the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and rapid heartbeat. It is important to communicate with your health care provider to determine the most effective dosage and medication.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, but there are treatments that can aid. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier while addressing the underlying causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a greater impact on mood and quality of life.
Antidepressants treat the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of brain chemicals that create a sense of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They block nerve cells from absorbing serotonin from the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This helps you feel more relaxed. SSRIs are drugs like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others are also used to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors and causing the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety but can become addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They are not as effective over time, so they are generally not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications such as quetiapine, buspirone, and clonidine lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol within your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most common side result is the feeling of drowsiness. There are also people who suffer from diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
There are other antianxiety drugs like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives that reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety. They reduce the itching that is caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that can be used to lower anxiety include monoamine oxide inhibitors, such as moclobemide and Tetracycline. how anxiety is treated are usually sought after other treatments have failed. Some doctors are able to prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been proven to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can be alleviated through psychotherapy or through talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist is also important for people suffering from anxiety because 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 how to manage your anxiety and gradually return to the activities that you stayed away from due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, in which you gradually confront the situation or object that triggers your anxiety so you can learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reasons you're so worried, including how your imagination can magnify dangers that are not actually there. The therapist will also teach you the anatomy of the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things which are usually harmless.
The therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions that last one hour each. Patients are often given tasks to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. You may need to try a few before you find someone who you are comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and meditation, can be a helpful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can decrease anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough rest and exercising regularly. You can also avoid smoking and caffeine. You can also incorporate more laughter into your routine, as humor is an effective stress reliever. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety episode that is threatening your safety or that of others, consult your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment isn't always needed, but can be very helpful. They are not a substitute for psychotherapy, but they can help in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, in addition to medication and psychotherapy, can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, abstaining from smoking and alcohol as well as getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques can be helpful.
Regular exercise is a great method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be difficult to find an exercise routine that is right for you, but even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression and has been associated with an increased remission rate of anxiety disorders. While the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined, it is believed that exercise affects brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and decreasing circulating levels of the cortisol, a stress hormone.
The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been found to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and is often hampered by poor methodology. While there are a few studies that show promising results, the majority of these therapies do not have the level of clinical proof required by doctors to recommend them as a treatment alternative.
The relationship between anxiety and food is not straightforward. In reality, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Highly palatable, fatty foods can increase the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species that can aggravate or trigger anxiety-related symptoms. It has been demonstrated that dietary changes, including the restriction of nicotine and alcohol can help reduce anxiety. However, more research, including controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs for substance abuse, are required.
It has been shown that other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can reduce anxiety, such as increasing the quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical studies have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of natural supplements that have been utilized in various regions of the world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a herb that comes from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective in controlling stress and anxiety. 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 suffer from anxiety experience a broad spectrum of symptoms. These symptoms could range from a temporary feeling such as nervousness or worry before surgery or menstruation and more persistent feelings of anxiety and unease which are often associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms like sweating, headaches, trembling and sleeplessness.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy which teaches patients to be aware and respond to thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety in a different manner. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can assist treat anxiety as well as reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as depression and fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring, are renowned for their heart-health benefits however, they can also enhance brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds as well as walnuts, chia and flax seeds.
It is important to remember that herbal and dietary supplements are not 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 exhibit adverse effects that could be dangerous. If you are thinking of taking supplements or herbs to control anxiety, consult your doctor before beginning any regimen. They can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you might be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.