A Help Guide To Treating Anxiety From Beginning To End
Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people discover the destructive thoughts that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and shaking. People must work closely with their doctor to determine the appropriate dosage and medication for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can keep us from sleeping, however there are treatments that can help. The use of medication can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms and allow you to live your life without worrying about the root causes. A combination of medications and therapy could be even more effective on your mood and enhance your quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of anxiety by boosting 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 absorbing serotonin in the brain, and increase its availability. This makes you feel more relaxed. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, as well as others are also available to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. They do this by affecting brain receptors that cause the body to relax. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if taken for longer than 4 weeks. They also do not work as well over time, so they are not recommended for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications such as quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors in the brain. The most common side effect is sleepiness. There are also people who be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medicines like phenytoin and melatonin are sedatives that decrease the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety. meds that treat anxiety can reduce the itching that is caused by allergies, and make you feel more comfortable.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to decrease anxiety. They are typically used after other treatments fail. Some doctors are able to prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have shown to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy with mental health professionals can help relieve anxiety disorders. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. Therapists can also offer support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the root causes of anxiety. The presence of the therapist can be crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and provides a sense of security to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your anxiety and gradually return you to activities you've avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually encounter the situation or object that causes anxiety and overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you feel anxious, and how your imagination may exaggerate dangers that do not exist. The therapist also teaches you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and why it is not triggered by things that are typically harmless.
Therapy is typically done in sessions that last about an hour each with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. It may take some time to find the right therapist for you, and you might have to try a few before you find one you are at ease with.
Self-help techniques, like breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation can be a useful supplement to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding caffeine and nicotine. You can also incorporate more laughter into your routine, as humor can be a great stress reliever. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety disorder that could compromise your safety or that of others, consult your doctor for an emergency treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed however it can be extremely efficient. The use of medication is not an alternative to psychotherapy, however, they can be helpful in certain cases.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medication There are a myriad of lifestyle changes that can greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol and getting enough sleep and practicing relaxation techniques can help.
Regular exercise can be a great stress reliever and has been shown to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. Developing an exercise regimen that is safe for every individual can be a challenge, but even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial.
Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been proven to be effective in treating depression and is associated with a higher the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. While the mechanisms remain unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemical by modulating 5-HT Neurotransmitters in dorsal Raphe Nucleus and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been proven to be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and is often hampered by poor methodology. While certain studies show promising results, the majority of these modalities don't have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to suggest them as a viable option.
The relationship between food and anxiety is not straightforward. In fact, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. Highly palatable, fatty foods can increase the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can cause anxiety-related symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been demonstrated to help reduce anxiety, however more research is required, such as assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled future studies.
It has been demonstrated that other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other dietary changes can help with anxiety, including increasing the quantity and variety of vegetables and fruits and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed food items.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of natural products that have been used in some regions of the world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is a plant that comes 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 suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide range symptoms. These symptoms may range from a brief sensation of anxiety or anxiety before menstrual cycle or surgery or menstrual flow, to more constant feelings of anxiety and unease that are associated with more serious anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social anxiety disorders. Symptoms of anxiety can also be debilitating and include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness and trouble sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to identify and react to thoughts and behavior contributing to anxiety in a different manner. In combination with medications CBT can reduce anxiety and reduce associated symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
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 known for their heart-health benefits however, they also have the potential to improve brain functioning. Flaxseeds can also be a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a chance that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or exhibit negative side effects that could be dangerous. Consult your physician if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements for anxiety. They can give you advice on possible interactions between the herbs and other medications that you may be taking, as well as dosage guidelines.