Treating Anxiety
Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify negative thoughts that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.
Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and heartbeats that are rapid. It is essential to communicate with your health care provider in order to find the most effective medication and dosage.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping well However, there are treatment options that can help. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and ease your life while taking care of the root cause. A combination of medications and therapy may be even more effective on your mood and enhance your overall quality of life.
Antidepressants address the root of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain which create a sense calm. The most commonly used kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, and increase its availability, allowing you to feel calmer. SSRIs include medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others can also be used to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by stimulating brain receptors to cause an calming effect. They are effective in combating anxiety, but they can be addictive if taken for longer than four weeks. They don't work as well over time, and therefore are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like 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 common adverse effect is sleepiness. Some people can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety drugs such as phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives and reduce the activity of certain brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itchiness caused by allergies, and allowing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters, such as tetracycline and moclobemide, are also used to decrease anxiety. They are usually sought after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medicines that have been found to reduce anxiety in clinical trials aren't licensed for this purpose however they may be prescribed off label by some doctors.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the root causes of anxiety. The therapist's physical presence is essential for patients suffering from anxiety. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives them a feeling of security.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This approach teaches you specific techniques to manage your anxieties and gradually return you back to activities you've avoided due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually come across the object or circumstance that causes anxiety, and then overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy helps you understand the reasons you feel anxious, and how your mind can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach 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 usually harmless.
Therapy is typically done in sessions that last approximately an hour each with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. You may need to try a few before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Self-help techniques can be useful adjuncts to psychotherapy, including relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can lower anxiety by ensuring you get enough rest, exercising regularly, and avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress relief. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your daily life. If you are experiencing an extreme anxiety attack 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 however it is extremely effective. Medications are not a substitute for psychotherapy, however they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, along with psychotherapy and medication, can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, abstaining from smoking or alcohol as well as getting enough rest and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.
A regular exercise program can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. Making a workout routine that is safe for every person can be challenging, but even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately paced exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism is not clear, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemical by altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
The use 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 a few studies show some promising results, the majority of these modalities don't have the clinical evidence required by doctors to recommend them as a treatment option.
Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety is complex. Certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Highly palatable, fatty foods can promote the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can aggravate or trigger anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvements, including the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been demonstrated to help reduce anxiety, however more research is needed, including assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled future studies.
It has been demonstrated that other supplements to the diet, such as omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. The reason is unclear however, research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce production of inflammatory cytokines, and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and nutritional supplements
While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some parts of the world to relieve anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and safety of these natural remedies have only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha, an herb that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is especially effective in reducing stress and anxiety. 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.
Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide variety of symptoms. Iam Psychiatry could range from a temporary feeling such as nervousness or worry before menstrual cycle or surgery, to the more persistent feelings of anxiety and unease which are associated with more serious anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic disorder) and social anxiety disorders. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy which teaches patients to be aware and react to thoughts and behavior that trigger anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication this method can help treat anxiety and relieve symptoms such as fatigue and depression.
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, are renowned for their heart-health benefits however, they also have the potential to improve brain function. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds as well as walnuts, chia and flax seeds.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a possibility that certain products could be infected with other substances or have side effects that could be dangerous. Consult your physician if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements for anxiety. They can offer advice on possible interactions between herbal supplements and other medications you may be taking, as well as dosage recommendations.