Treating Anxiety

Treatment of anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the negative thought patterns that cause anxiety and tense feelings.

Medications help control the physical symptoms of anxiety, including shaking and rapid heartbeat. Patients should work closely with their doctor to find the right medication and dosage for them.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly However, there are treatment options that can help. Treatment can ease the symptoms of anxiety and allow you to live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. Combining medications and therapy can have an even greater impact on your mood and enhance your overall quality of life.

Antidepressants address the root of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals that create a sense of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They block nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin from the brain and increase its availability. This helps you feel calmer. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety without medication anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are used quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by activating brain receptors to cause an calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can become addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also do not work well over time.

Other antianxiety drugs such as buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormones in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. There are also people who experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.

Other antianxiety medications like phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives and reduce the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They can reduce the itching caused by allergies and make you feel more relaxed.

Other forms of medication that are used to decrease anxiety include monoamine oxide inhibitors, such as moclobemide and Tetracycline. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Some doctors can prescribe prescription medications off-label that have shown to reduce anxiety in clinical studies, but aren't licensed.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with a mental health professional. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social anxiety disorder treatment worker. Therapists can also offer assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the underlying factors that cause anxiety. The presence of the therapist's physical presence is crucial for those suffering from anxiety. It activates the parasympathetic nervous systems and provides them with a sense of safety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method helps you develop specific skills to directly manage your anxiety and gradually return you to things you've stayed away from due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually confront the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of why you are so anxious and how your imagination can make you believe that dangers are not real. The therapist will also teach you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and the reasons it is inappropriately triggered by things that are typically harmless.

Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting around an hour, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. You may need to try several before you find a therapist you are comfortable with.

Self-help techniques can be helpful adjuncts to psychotherapy, including meditation, relaxation exercises and breathing techniques. You can decrease the effects of anxiety by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and avoiding caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress relief. Try to incorporate more laughter into your everyday life. In the event that you experience an extreme anxiety attack that threatens your safety or that of others, see your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, which is usually a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment is not often needed, but it is extremely efficient. Medications are not a substitute for psychotherapy, however they can help in some cases.

Lifestyle changes

There are many lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoidance of tobacco or alcohol, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

A regular exercise program is a powerful stress reducer and has been proven to improve mood and self-reported anxiety symptoms. It can be challenging to find an exercise program that is right for you, however even small amounts can be beneficial.

Regular, moderate graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased the rate of remission for anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism is unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemical by altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal raphe nucleus and reducing levels of cortisol.

The use of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and often hindered by poor research methodology. While there are a few studies that show promise, most of these treatments do not provide the level of clinical proof required by doctors to recommend them as an alternative.

The relationship between food and anxiety is not straightforward. In reality, 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 symptoms. It has been shown that diet changes, particularly restriction of alcohol and nicotine can decrease anxiety. However, more research that includes controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs for substance abuse, are needed.

Other supplements to your diet, such as omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in decreasing anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes to your diet that can help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, incorporating whole grains and avoiding processed food.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some parts of the world to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural remedies have only recently been subjected to rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in controlling anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan, and l -lysine can reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their effects on neurotransmitters which are involved in the stress response.

Many people suffering from anxiety experience a broad range symptoms. These symptoms may range from a brief sensation of anxiety or male anxiety treatment prior to menstrual or surgical procedures or menstrual flow, to more constant feelings of anxiety and unease that are associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include trembling, headaches, sweating, muscle tightness and difficulties sleeping.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a proven best treatment for social anxiety disorder for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and react to thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety treatment without meds in a different best way to treat Anxiety. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can help combat anxiety and reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as depression and fatigue.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like herring, mackerel, and salmon can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, are renowned for their heart-health benefits, but they may also improve brain functioning. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.

It is important to keep in mind that dietary and herbal products are not subject to the supervision of the FDA in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is the possibility that certain products could be contaminated or have harmful side effects. Talk to your doctor if you are considering using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can provide you with information on the possible interactions between herbal supplements and other medications you are taking and dosage recommendations.