Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety
Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a tough time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medication like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines.
Self-help strategies can also help alleviate symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body.
Medication
If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety then medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medications can help reduce anxiety signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most common drugs used to treat anxiety. They increase levels of certain neurotransmitters that influence mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first prescription medications prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine, as also tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can also be used to combat anxiety. They are quick-acting, and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they can be addictive. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
Only licensed health care specialists can prescribe medication to treat anxiety. These doctors include psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians and OB-GYNs. Nurse practitioners, family practice doctors and psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe certain medication, but they must get special training in doing so.
Certain people make use of alternative therapies, like exercise, to ease anxiety. There are also relaxation methods to reduce stress like 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.
Lastly treat generalized anxiety disorder like melatonin and 5-HTP can also help to ease anxiety. However, you should always consult your physician prior to taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied and empirically validated psychotherapeutic methods for treating anxiety disorders. It targets the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety over time. Although different CBT protocols were developed for different anxiety disorders, they all share common treatment goals and techniques.
CBT starts by identifying dysfunctional thoughts that cause anxiety. During sessions, the patients are taught to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge. The therapist may also assist patients recognize and modify their behavior patterns that cause them to avoid. The therapist will ask patients to keep diaries or "thought notes" outside of sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in everyday life.
Eventually, the aim is to train patients to become their own therapists by helping them to understand their current patterns of thinking and behaviour. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded, reduce their anxiety and other negative emotions and be more resilient.
CBT techniques involve identifying and changing distortions in the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or minimizing positive events. The therapist can also help the patient develop strategies to cope to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to all kinds of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called "cognitive-behavioral therapy".
Exposure therapy is an additional component of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxiety-provoking object or circumstance. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario, or by directly confronting it in real life. For instance, a person with PTSD who is afraid of a particular location could be encouraged to go to the location where they were abused. A person with social anxiety disorder who is afraid of public speaking might be encouraged to give a speech in front of a group.
Some studies have proven that combining CBT with pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and further research is needed. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been proven to be particularly effective for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or generalized disorder.
Exposure therapy
One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you confront things that scare you in a safe environment with the help of a therapist. It may sound like a daunting process but it will help you learn that your fears are unfounded and you can accept the discomfort that triggers you. It will also boost your confidence to face your challenges in life.
There are many kinds of treatments for exposure, including imaginal therapy, virtual reality and systematic desensitization. For instance, if scared of speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with your friend. You can then gradually confront the issue with your therapist's assistance. During each session your therapist will be able to see if you're feeling anxious or scared and adjust the level of exposure depending on the needs.
During an appointment the therapist will show you how to relax and cope with your emotions, before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that trigger your anxiety. This could include techniques such as meditation, breathing with rhythm, and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the behaviors that cause anxiety, such as avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted over a series of weekly sessions, and some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fears.
The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, such as being on a plane, or being around strangers. Your therapist will help you select the method of exposure therapy that fits your personality and needs. This could include using an order of exposure to determine the sequence of exposures or a relaxation practice prior to beginning.
In vivo therapy involves facing the thing or situation you are afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This technique can be used to treat certain fears and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In vivo exposure therapy may be hard to fit into your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find an experienced specialist by searching your local psychological association or the mental health network. You can also read reviews or ask family and friends for suggestions.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies encompass a variety of health treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can ease anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging the healthy lifestyle. These treatments could include acupuncture, herbal therapy, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and massage. They can also reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs were associated with moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method uses a variety of techniques of meditation to improve mindfulness, or the ability of staying in the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be performed by anyone, and doesn't require special equipment or any special training. People with physical limitations may not be able participate in meditative practice that involves movement.
Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and the use of hypnosis. These techniques help you control your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing and visual imagery. They can be practiced at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are typically used in conjunction with other types of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.
Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels and can help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will instruct you how to evaluate your fears and determine the probability that they'll happen. You can use strategies like looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing out the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it is realistic to be worried about what could happen.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is employed to treat stress. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the kidney or spleen meridians can cause anxiety. Some studies suggest acupuncture may reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.