Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.
Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and rapid heartbeat. It is crucial to work closely with your doctor to determine the most effective medication and dosage.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are solutions that can help. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier by taking care of the root cause. Combining medication and therapy can have a bigger impact on your mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants reduce anxiety by increasing the amount of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently used antidepressants. They stop nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin in the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This helps you feel more relaxed. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by activating brain receptors to cause a calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can become addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also don't do well when taken over a period of time.
Other antianxiety drugs such as quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormones that are present in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. People can also suffer from diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
A few other antianxiety medications such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives which reduce the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which helps reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, by reducing the itchiness caused by allergies and making you feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to decrease anxiety. They are typically prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medications that have been found to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not specifically approved for this purpose, however they may be prescribed off-label by a few doctors.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who is specialized in mental illness) or psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the root causes of anxiety. The physical presence of the therapist is important for anxiety patients. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives them a feeling of security.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the best option for treating anxiety. This method teaches you specific techniques to manage your anxiety and gradually return you back to activities that you've avoided because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually encounter the event or object that causes anxiety, and then overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you are anxious and how your mind can create fearful scenarios that don't exist. The therapist also teaches 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.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions that last an hour each. Patients are often given tasks to complete between sessions. It may take some time to find the ideal therapy for you, and you might need to try several before finding someone you feel at ease with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation, can be a helpful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can lessen the effects of anxiety by getting enough rest and exercising regularly. You can also avoid nicotine and caffeine. You can also incorporate more laughter into your daily life since laughter is an effective stress-reducing agent. In the event that you experience an acute anxiety episode that threatens your safety or that of others, consult your doctor for an emergency treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment isn't always needed, but can be very beneficial. drugs to treat anxiety of medication is not a substitute to psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain instances.
Lifestyle changes
There are many 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 and getting enough sleep and practicing relaxation techniques can all help.
Regular exercise is a powerful method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has also 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, but even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been found to be effective in treating depression. It has also been associated with a higher remission rate of anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism is unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
It has been demonstrated that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and often hindered by poor methodology. While there are a few studies that show potential, the majority of these therapies do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to suggest them as a viable option.
In addition, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In reality, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing anxiety, although further research is required, such as assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled future studies.
Other supplements to your diet, such as omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be beneficial in helping to reduce anxiety. The reason for this is not clear however, researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can ease anxiety, including increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables, adding more whole grains and avoiding all processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and security of these natural products has only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan and l -lysine reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their influence on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
People who suffer from anxiety experience a range of symptoms, from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that occurs prior to surgery or menstruation to the pervasive tension and unease that are more severe types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder social phobias and panic disorder. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as headaches, trembling and sweating and trouble sleeping.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and respond to thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication this method can aid in treating anxiety and relieve symptoms such as fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids that are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring, are identified to improve the health of the heart and also boost the health of the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
It is crucial to remember that herbal and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is a possibility that certain products may be contaminated or cause negative side effects. If you are thinking of taking supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, consult your doctor prior to beginning any regimen. They can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you may be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.