Treating Anxiety
Treating anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify harmful thought patterns that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.
The use of medication can help manage anxiety-related physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is essential to communicate with your doctor in order to find the best medication and dosage.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, but there are solutions that can aid. The use of medication can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms and make it easier to live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. A combination of medications and therapy can make a bigger impact on your mood and increase your quality of life.
Antidepressants can treat the root of your anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain which create a sense calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin from the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This makes you feel more relaxed. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants which can be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms. They do this by affecting brain receptors, which cause an energizing effect. They are effective in managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if used for longer than four weeks. They are not as effective over time, so they are generally not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormones in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors inside the brain. The most common side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. People can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medicines such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives that decrease the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, by reducing the itching that is caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors such as tetracycline or moclobemide, can also be employed to lower anxiety. These are usually used when other treatments fail. Certain doctors may prescribe off-label prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical studies, but aren't licensed.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. Therapists can also offer assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The presence of the therapist is also important for people suffering from anxiety because it activates the parasympathetic nerve and conveys a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific techniques to help you manage your worries and gradually allow you to return to things you've stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, in which you slowly encounter the thing or event that triggers anxiety, so that you be able to manage it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the reason you are so anxious and how your imagination can create a false sense of danger that is not actually there. The therapist will also teach you about the physiology of the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and the reasons it is inappropriately triggered by things that are generally harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting around an hour with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. You may have to try several before you discover a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and meditation can be a useful addition to psychotherapy. You can decrease the effects of anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding smoking and caffeine. Humor is a fantastic stress relief. Try to include more laughter into your everyday life. If you are experiencing 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 is not often needed, but it can be extremely efficient. The use of medication is not a substitute for psychotherapy, however they can help in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
Alongside psychotherapy and medication in addition, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that could greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise and a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and employing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
Regular exercise is a great method to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. Making a workout routine that is safe for every person is a challenge, but even small amounts of physical activity 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 mechanisms behind this are undetermined, it is believed that exercise influences the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and a poor methodology is often to blame. While there are a few studies that show promise, most of these therapies don't have the clinical evidence required by doctors to recommend them as a treatment option.
Moreover, anxiety attack treatment between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Foods that are highly palatable and fatty can promote the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can worsen or cause anxiety symptoms. It has been shown that dietary changes, including restriction of alcohol and nicotine, can reduce anxiety. However, further research, including controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
It has been demonstrated that other supplements to the diet, such as omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can help with anxiety, for example, increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits as well as incorporating more whole grains, and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of natural products that have been used in certain parts of world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a plant from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective at controlling stress and anxiety. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan, and l -lysine can also reduce anxiety symptoms through their effects on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety experience a broad range symptoms. The symptoms can range from a transient sensation of anxiety or worry before menstrual cycle or surgery, to the more persistent feeling of anxiety and unease that are a sign of more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. Anxiety can be debilitating with symptoms like headaches, trembling and sweating and sleeplessness.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to be aware and respond to the thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety in a different manner. When used in conjunction with medications this method can help treat anxiety and alleviate symptoms like fatigue and depression.
A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fats, which can be found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, are renowned for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.
It is important to remember that dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance certain products could be contaminated with other substances or cause adverse effects that could be dangerous. Consult your physician if you're considering using herbal or dietary supplements for anxiety. They can give you information on the possible interactions between the herbal supplements and other medications you may be taking and dosage guidelines.