The Reasons Treating Anxiety Is More Risky Than You Thought
Treating Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are both common ways of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the destructive thoughts that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
Medications help control the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat and shaking. It is crucial to consult with your physician in order to find the most effective dosage and medication.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, but there are treatments that can aid. The use of medication can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and help you live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. Combining medication and therapy can have a greater impact on mood and quality of life.
Antidepressants treat the root of anxiety by boosting levels of chemicals in your brain that help create a feeling of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently used antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from absorbing serotonin in the brain, and increase its availability. This helps you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants which could be used to treat anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by activating brain receptors to cause an calming effect. They are effective in managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if taken for longer than four weeks. They are not as effective over time, which is why they are not recommended for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone in your body. They do this by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effect is sleepiness. Antidepressants and SSRIs can cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction in some people.
A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and melatonin are sedatives that reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, decreasing the itching caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxide inhibitors like tetracycline and moclobemide are also employed to lower anxiety. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Some doctors can prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials, but are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders are often alleviated through psychotherapy or talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist will offer support and encouragement. The physical presence of the therapist is important for anxiety patients. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous systems and gives them a sense of security.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best option for treating anxiety. This method helps you learn to manage your anxiety and gradually return to the activities you avoided due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, which you gradually confront the situation or object that triggers your anxiety treatments medication so that you learn to tolerate it and overcome your fears.
Psychotherapy helps you understand why you feel anxious, and how your imagination may overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist will also teach you the physiological basis behind the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things that are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually conducted in a series sessions lasting about an hour each. Patients are often given assignments to complete in between sessions. It can take time to find the right therapy for you, and you might have to try a few before settling on one you feel at ease with.
Self-help methods can be beneficial additions to psychotherapy, for example relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can reduce anxiety-related symptoms by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding nicotine and caffeine. You can also try incorporating more laughter into your daily life as it can be a great stress-reducing agent. In the event that you experience an acute anxiety episode that could compromise your safety or that of others, see your doctor for an emergency treatment, which is usually a benzodiazepine. This type of ketamine treatment for anxiety isn't always needed, but can be extremely beneficial. The use of medication is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain situations.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medication, there are a number of lifestyle modifications that can greatly aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and implementing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
Regular exercise is a powerful method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has also been proven that it can reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be difficult to find a fitness program that is suitable for you, however even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately paced exercise was also found to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanism is unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemistry by controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus, and decreasing levels of cortisol.
It has been demonstrated that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited, and poor methods are often at fault. While there are a few studies that show promising results, the majority of these therapies do not have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to recommend them as a treatment alternative.
Moreover, the relationship between food and anxiety is a complex. In fact, some foods can actually cause anxiety symptoms. For example high-fat and palatable foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that dietary changes, including cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can decrease anxiety. However, more research, including controlled prospective studies and substance withdrawal programs, is needed.
It has been proven that other supplements to the diet, such as omega-3 fish oils can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can ease anxiety, for example, increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits and incorporating more whole grains, and avoiding all processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been utilized for centuries in various parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural treatment for anxiety attacks products 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 anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan and l -lysine also help reduce anxiety symptoms due to their effects on neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
People who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, ranging from the intermittent feeling of anxiety or worry that occurs prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the pervasive feelings of unease and tension that are more severe kinds of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder social phobias and panic disorder. 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 highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT is a form of psychotherapy which teaches patients how to recognize and respond differently to thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can assist treat anxiety treatment effectiveness as well as alleviate symptoms related to it 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 well-known for their heart-health benefits but they may also improve brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to note that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a chance that certain products could be infected with other substances or exhibit adverse effects that could be harmful. If you are thinking of using dietary supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, speak with your physician before beginning any regimen so that they can advise you about possible interactions with other medications you could be taking and provide recommendations for dosages.