anxiety treatment herbal and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to manage their reactions. Everyone is worried and nervous at times. Psychotherapy and medications such as beta blockers that help lower blood pressure, as well as benzodiazepines may help.
Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can help reduce stress and relaxes the body.
Medication
If changes in your lifestyle or psychotherapy aren't helping anxiety, medication might be a viable option. Anxiety medications can help reduce fears and trigger the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants, the most common medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are often the first medications prescribed. The SNRIs include venlafaxine, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
The benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and can be helpful in the short-term. However, they are addictive. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
There are many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health care providers can prescribe these medications. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and OB-GYNs. They must also receive special training to prescribe medication.
Some people use complementary therapies, such as exercise, to reduce anxiety. They can also find relaxation methods to reduce stress such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. Biofeedback can be another beneficial technique, in which a therapist monitors your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and teaches you how to control them at will.
Finally, natural supplements like melatonin or 5-HTP may also help ease anxiety. Talk to your doctor prior to taking supplements for anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic techniques for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common treatment goals and methods.
The first step in CBT is to recognize problematic thought patterns that cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. Therapists can also help patients identify and change avoidance behaviors. The therapist will ask patients to keep diaries or "thought records" outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their daily life.
In the end, the goal is to teach patients to become their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will help patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxiety, as well as other negative emotions, and become more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thoughts like overgeneralizing and catastrophizing. Therapists also assist the patient in developing techniques to cope with stressful situations. These techniques can be utilized to treat all types of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Another aspect of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious subject or event. This could be done by imagining the object or situation, or by directly confronting it in real life. A patient suffering from PTSD who is scared of a specific location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the site where they were assaulted. A person with social anxiety disorder who fears public speaking might be encouraged to deliver a speech front of a group.
Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. However, these results are mixed and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is generally more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be especially effective in those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder.
Therapy for exposure
Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments for treating anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a comfortable environment with an expert. It might seem daunting but it will help you understand that your fears are not justifiable and you can accept your triggers. It will also boost your confidence to face the challenges of life.
There are a variety of exposure therapies, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if you're nervous about speaking in public, your therapist might encourage you to imagine yourself giving a speech or to practice with a friend. You can then gradually face the scenario with your therapist’s assistance. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure as needed.
During the session, the therapist teaches you how to relax, manage your emotions and then introduces you to triggers that can make you feel anxious. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that causes anxiety, like being cautious about elevators. Exposure therapy is usually carried out over a series of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to identify the situation or object that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane or with strangers. Your therapist will assist you select an exposure therapy method that is suited to your preferences and personality. This might involve using an order of exposure to determine the order in which exposures are given or practicing relaxation techniques before starting.
In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the thing or event that you're scared of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or touching your arm. This method can be employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and specific fears.
In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate within your schedule between appointments, which is why it is essential to find a therapist who is specialized in this type of cognitive behavioral therapy. You can search for an experienced specialist by searching your local psychological association or mental health network. It's recommended to review reviews and ask your friends or family members for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are a range of healthcare treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and promoting healthy lifestyles. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga music therapy, massage. They can also help alleviate depression symptoms by reducing levels of stress hormones within your body.
A recent study has found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with slight improvements in anxiety-related symptoms. This method employs various methods of meditation to increase mindfulness or focusing on the present moment and getting rid of negative thoughts and feelings. This kind of meditation is suitable for anyone and does not require any special equipment or instruction. However, people with physical limitations might not be able to participate in meditation practices that require movements.
Other therapies that can relieve anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques help you manage anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles breathing techniques, relaxing breathing techniques, and visual imagery. These techniques can be utilized at home or in a treatment environment. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels which are hormones that can cause anxiety. A healthy diet will increase your energy levels which can lessen anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective anxiety treatments. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts which lead to anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can apply strategies like the comparison of your fears to previous experiences as well as considering the pros and cons of the situation and determining if it is realistic to worry about what could happen.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese method, can be employed to treat stress. It is based on the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called Qi) located in specific meridians. A deficiency of the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM techniques.