Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify harmful thought patterns that lead to anxious and tense feelings.
Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat and shaking. It is important to communicate with your physician in order to find the most effective medication and dosage.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are treatments to help. Medication can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life, while addressing the root of the problem. A combination of medication and therapy could have an even greater impact on your mood and enhance your overall quality of life.
Antidepressants can treat the root of anxiety by increasing levels of brain chemicals which create a sense calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently used antidepressants. They stop nerve cells from absorbing serotonin from the brain and increase its availability. This helps you feel calmer. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants which may also be used for anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors to cause the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety, but they can become addictive if they are used for more than four weeks. They also don't work well over time.
Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequently reported side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in a few people.
A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives which reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which helps reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, reducing the itching that is caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Other types of medications that are used to decrease anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and Tetracycline. They are typically used when other treatments fail. Other prescription medicines that have been found to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not specifically approved for this purpose, however they can be prescribed off label by certain doctors.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can be alleviated through psychotherapy or talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental illness) or psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and conveys a sense of security to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the best option to treat anxiety. This approach teaches you specific techniques to help you manage your worries and gradually return you back to activities that you've avoided because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, in which you gradually encounter the situation or object that triggers anxiety, in order to learn to accept it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy gives you a better understanding of the reasons you are so anxious and how your mind can make you believe that dangers are not actually there. The therapist also educates you on the anatomy of the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it is not triggered by things that are usually harmless.
Therapy is usually conducted in a series of sessions lasting about an hour each and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. It can take 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 techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation can be an effective supplement to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking and caffeine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your routine, as humor is a powerful stress-reducing agent. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or that of others' safety, talk to your physician for an urgent anxiolytic, and preferably an benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed, but it can be extremely effective. The use of medication is not an alternative to psychotherapy however they can help in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medication in addition, there are a variety of lifestyle modifications that can assist people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, abstaining from smoking or alcohol and getting enough sleep and implementing relaxation techniques can help.
Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be difficult to find an exercise routine that is suitable for you, but even small amounts can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise was also shown to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is undetermined, it is believed that exercise affects brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the circulating levels of cortisol stress hormone.
It has been demonstrated that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and often hampered by poor methodology. While a few studies show some promise, most of these modalities do not have the level of clinical proof required by doctors to suggest them as a viable alternative.
The relationship between anxiety and food is a complex one. In fact, some foods can actually cause anxiety symptoms. For instance high-fat and palatable foods promote the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that result in or worsening anxiety symptoms. It has been shown that dietary improvement, especially cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can decrease anxiety. However, further research, including controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
Other supplements to your diet, such as omega-3 fish oil have been proven to be of value in decreasing anxiety. The reason for this isn't clear, but researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce production of inflammatory cytokines, and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes that can help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical studies have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural substances that have been used in certain parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a herb that comes that comes from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors such as l-tryptophan and l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.
People who suffer from anxiety experience a range of symptoms, ranging from a temporary feeling of nervousness or anxiety that can occur prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the constant tension and unease that characterize more serious types of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder social phobias and panic disorder. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms like sweating, headaches, and trembling and sleeplessness.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients how to recognize and respond differently to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. This approach, in combination with medication, can help to treat anxiety and reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as fatigue and depression.
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce anxiety symptoms. treatment for generalized anxiety , which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, are known for their heart-health benefits however, they can also enhance brain functioning. Flaxseeds can also be a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to remember that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance some products may be contaminated with other substances or exhibit negative side effects that could be harmful. If you are considering taking supplements or herbs to control anxiety, talk to your doctor before starting any treatment plan so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and offer suggestions for dosages.