Treating Anxiety

The treatment of anxiety usually involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the harmful thought patterns which cause anxiety and distressing feelings.

The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and heartbeats that are rapid. It is essential to work closely with your health care provider to determine the most effective dosage and medication.

Medications

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, however there are treatments to help. Treatment can ease the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life while addressing any underlying causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a bigger impact on your mood and the quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain which create a sense calm. The most common kind of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and increase its availability, helping you feel calmer. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that could be used to treat anxiety are 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 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 don't work as well over time, so they are usually not prescribed for long-term use.

Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequent side result is the feeling of drowsiness. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and sexual dysfunction in some individuals.

Other antianxiety medicines such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives that decrease the activity of specific neurons in the brain, which helps reduce anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They help reduce the itching caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide, can also be used to reduce anxiety. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have shown to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor with a specialization in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the underlying cause of anxiety, the therapist may 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 security to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the best choice for treating anxiety. This approach teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy where you gradually encounter the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy can help you understand Treating anxiety disorders why you are anxious and how your mind can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach you about the physiology of the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and the reasons it is not triggered by things that are usually harmless.

Therapy is typically conducted in sessions that last around an hour and patients are often given 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 finding someone you feel comfortable with.

Self-help methods, such as breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and meditation can be an effective supplement to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and avoid caffeine and nicotine. It is also possible to incorporate more laughter into your routine as it is a powerful stress reliever. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety disorder that threatens your safety or the safety of others, see your doctor for an emergency treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed, but it is extremely effective. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy however, they can be helpful 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 and a healthy diet avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, getting adequate sleep, and using relaxation techniques can be helpful.

A regular exercise program is a powerful stress reducer and has been shown to improve mood and self-reported extreme anxiety treatment symptoms. Developing an exercise regimen 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 shown to be effective at treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is unknown but it is believed that exercise affects the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and decreasing the levels of the cortisol stress hormone.

The practice of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. There is no evidence to support this and the poor methods are often at fault. While a few studies show some promising results, the majority of these treatments don't have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to recommend them as a treatment option.

In addition, the relationship between food and anxiety is a complex. In fact, some foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example the highly palatable and fat-rich foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that dietary changes, including restriction of alcohol and nicotine, can reduce anxiety. However, more research, including controlled prospective studies as well as assisted substance withdrawal programs, is needed.

It has been shown that other supplements to the diet such as omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. The reason is unclear, but researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids may reduce production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can reduce anxiety, for example, increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding all processed foods.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Clinical studies have only recently been conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of natural supplements that have been used in some parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors such as l-tryptophan and L-lysine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms by influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.

Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide spectrum of symptoms. These symptoms could range from a temporary feeling such as nervousness or worry before menstrual or surgical procedures, to the more persistent feeling of anxiety and treating anxiety disorders unease which are often associated with more serious anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 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 difficulty sleeping.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that helps patients to identify and respond to the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety in a different way. When used in conjunction with medications this method can aid in treating anxiety and reduce associated symptoms such as depression and fatigue.

A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring, are well-known for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.

It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance some products may be contaminated with other substances or exhibit side effects that could be dangerous. Consult your doctor if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements to treat anxiety. They can give you advice on possible interactions between herbs and other medications you are taking, as well as dosage recommendations.