Treating Anxiety
The treatment of anxiety usually involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and shaking. Patients must consult with their doctor to determine the appropriate medication and dosage for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, however there are treatments that can aid. Treatment can ease anxiety-related symptoms and make it easier to live your life while addressing the root of the problem. Combining medication and therapy can have a greater impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants treat anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. 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 calmer. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants, such as serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others are also used to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are used quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors and causing a calming effect. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if taken for longer than 4 weeks and do not work as well over time, so they are generally not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine lower the level of stress hormones in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors in the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. People can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, by reducing the itchiness caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors like tetracycline and moclobemide, can also be used to decrease anxiety. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can help relieve anxiety disorders. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor with a specialization in mental illness) or 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 therapist's physical presence is essential for patients suffering from anxiety. It activates the parasympathetic nervous systems and gives them a feeling of safety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the best choice for treating anxiety. This approach teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually encounter the situation or object that causes anxiety, and then overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reason you're so worried 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 the reasons it's not appropriate to trigger it by things that are usually harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in sessions that last around an hour, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist for you can be a challenge. You may have to test several before you find someone who you feel comfortable with.
Self-help methods can be beneficial additions to psychotherapy, for example meditation, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques. You can decrease anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding smoking and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress relieving factor. You can try to include more laughter into your everyday life. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety attack that could be threatening your safety or that of others' safety, consult your physician for an emergency anxiolytic, preferably a benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required, but it can be extremely efficient. The use of medications is not a substitute to psychotherapy but can be helpful in certain instances.
Lifestyle changes
There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, along with psychotherapy and medication, can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be difficult to find an exercise program that is suitable for you, however even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately paced exercise was also found to be effective at treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanisms are still unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is scarce and often hindered by poor research methodology. While some studies are promising however, the majority of these treatments do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.
The relationship between anxiety and food is not straightforward. In reality, certain foods can actually cause anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that create or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. It has been demonstrated that dietary improvement, especially restriction of alcohol and nicotine, can reduce anxiety. However, more research including controlled prospective studies and assisted substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
It has been demonstrated that other supplements to the diet like omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. The reason is unclear however, researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes that can be beneficial for anxiety include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only been conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of natural substances that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, an herb that comes from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan, and l -lysine can also reduce anxiety symptoms through their effects on neurotransmitters which are involved in the stress response.
Many people suffering from anxiety experience a wide range symptoms. The symptoms could range from a temporary sensation of anxiety or anxiety prior to menstrual or surgical procedures, to the more persistent feeling of anxiety and unease which are often associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms such as sweating, headaches, trembling, and difficulty sleeping.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and respond differently to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can assist to treat anxiety and reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as depression and fatigue.
natural treatment for anxiety Iampsychiatry -3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid found in fish like mackerel, salmon, and herring, are known to improve heart health as well as improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
It is important to note that dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a possibility that certain products could be infected with other substances or exhibit adverse effects that could be harmful. Consult your physician if you're considering using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can provide you with information on the possible interactions between herbs and other medications that you might be taking and dosage guidelines.