Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are the most common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the harmful thought patterns that lead to anxious and troublesome feelings.
Medication can help control physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is important to consult with your physician in order to find the most effective dosage and medication.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, and it can prevent us from sleeping However, there are solutions that can aid. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and ease your life while taking care of the root cause. Combining therapy and medication can have a bigger impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root cause of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They stop nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin in the brain, and increase its availability. This makes you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others can also be used to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms. They do this by acting on brain receptors, which cause the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety, but 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 medicines like buspirone, quetiapine 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 effect is the feeling of drowsiness. Some people can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medicines like phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain cells, which decreases anxiety. Antihistamines also help treat anxiety. They reduce the itching caused by allergies and make you feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that are used to decrease anxiety include monoamine oxide inhibitors, like moclobemide and tetracycline. They are usually sought after other treatments have failed. Some doctors are able to prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been shown to reduce anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders are often alleviated through psychotherapy or talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the root of the anxiety, the therapist will offer support and encouragement. The physical presence of the therapist is important for people suffering from anxiety because it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best option for treating anxiety. This method teaches you how to manage your anxiety and gradually return to activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually come across the situation or object that causes anxiety and overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy helps you understand why you feel anxious, and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist also educates 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 typically harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in sessions that last around an hour, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. It may take some time to find the right therapy for you, and you might have to try a few before you find one you are comfortable with.
Self-help methods, such as breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation, can be a helpful addition to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress relief. Try to include more laughter into your life. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety disorder that threatens your safety or that of others, seek out your doctor for an emergency treatment, which is usually a benzodiazepine. This treatment isn't often required, but it can be extremely beneficial. Medications are not an alternative to psychotherapy, but they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, could 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.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been shown to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be challenging to find a fitness program that is appropriate for you, however even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been found to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased rates of remission from anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms behind this are undetermined but it is believed that exercise affects brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the levels of the cortisol, a stress hormone.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. The evidence isn't conclusive and the poor methods are often at fault. While some studies have shown promise, the majority of these therapies do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.
treatment for panic and anxiety attacks between food and anxiety is a complex one. In fact, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. The highly palatable, fatty food can stimulate the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can aggravate or trigger anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been proven to be effective in reducing anxiety, but more research is needed, including assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled prospective studies.
It has been shown that other supplements to the diet like omega-3 fish oils, may reduce anxiety. The reason is unclear, but researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can ease anxiety, including increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical studies have only recently been conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of natural supplements that have been used in some regions of the world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera), an herb from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan as well as L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, from the temporary feeling of nervousness or worry that occurs prior to surgery or menstruation to the omnipresent anxiety and feelings of tension that characterize more serious kinds of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. Symptoms of anxiety can also be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling, sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps patients to identify and react to thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety in a different way. This approach, in combination with medication, can help combat anxiety and reduce associated symptoms like fatigue and depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fats, which can be found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring, are well-known for their heart-health benefits, but they may also improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to note that herbal and dietary supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or exhibit side effects that could be harmful. Talk to your doctor if you are considering using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can give you information on the possible interactions between the herbs and other medications you are taking and dosage recommendations.