Treating best anxiety disorder treatment or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) are both common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people recognize the negative thoughts patterns that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.
The use of medication can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. Patients should work closely with their doctor to determine the best dosage and medication for them.
Medications
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can keep us from sleeping properly, but there are treatments that can help. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier while taking care of the root cause. Combining medication and therapy can have a greater impact on mood and quality of life.
Antidepressants can treat the root of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals that help create a feeling of calm. The most common type of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and increase its availability, allowing you to feel calmer. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, as well as others can also be used to combat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms. They accomplish this by affecting brain receptors which produce the body to relax. They are effective at combating anxiety, but they can be addictive if taken for longer than 4 weeks. They also do not work as well over time, and therefore are usually not prescribed for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medications like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of stress hormones that are present in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors in the brain. The most frequent adverse effect is sleepiness. Some people can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medications like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety. They help reduce the itching caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters like tetracycline and moclobemide, can also be used to reduce anxiety. They are typically prescribed after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe prescription medications off-label that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials, but they are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor with a specialization in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide support and encouragement, in addition to addressing the underlying factors that cause anxiety. The presence of the therapist can be crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the best option for treating anxiety. This approach teaches you how to manage anxiety and gradually return to activities you avoided due to anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually come across the situation or object that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxieties.
Psychotherapy helps you gain a greater understanding of why you're so worried, including how your imagination can create a false sense of danger that is not actually there. The psychotherapist will also explain to you the physiological basis of the body's "fight-or-flight" response and how it can be triggered by things which are generally harmless.
Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting approximately an hour each with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. It may take some time to find the ideal therapist for you, and you might have to try a few before you find one you are comfortable with.
Self-help methods can be beneficial additions to psychotherapy, for example relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. You can reduce anxiety by ensuring you get enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress reliever. You can try to include more laughter into your daily life. If you're experiencing an acute anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or that of others' safety, ask your doctor for an emergency anxiolytic, and preferably one that is benzodiazepine. This treatment is not often required, but it can be extremely beneficial. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy however they can help in some cases.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medication in addition, there are a variety of lifestyle modifications that can significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, getting adequate sleep, and using relaxation techniques can help.
Regular exercise is a great method to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has been proven that it can reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be a challenge to find an exercise program that is appropriate for you, but even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.
Regular, moderately-graded exercise has also been found to be effective in treating depression and has been associated with an increased rates of remission from anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms behind this are undetermined, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing circulating levels of the cortisol stress hormone.
It has been established that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and often hindered by poor research methodology. While a few studies show some potential, the majority of these treatments don't have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them as a treatment option.
The relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, some foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example high-fat and palatable foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can result in or worsening anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, particularly restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been demonstrated to be helpful in reducing anxiety, although further research is required, such as programs for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, as well as controlled future studies.
Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be useful in helping to reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medications in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet that could help with anxiety include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains and avoiding processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of natural products that have been used in certain parts of world for centuries to relieve anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, an herb that comes from Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective in reducing stress and anxiety. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms by altering neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.
Many people who experience anxiety experience a variety of symptoms, ranging from a intermittent feeling of anxiety or anxiety that can occur prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the constant feelings of unease and tension that are characteristic of more serious kinds of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder panic disorder and social phobias. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness and difficulty sleeping.
Psychotherapy, or 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 react differently to thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can help to treat anxiety and reduce the symptoms associated with it, such as fatigue and depression.
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may aid in reducing anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid that are found in fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring, are recognized to improve heart health, but may also improve the brain. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
It is important to remember that herbal and dietary products are not subject to the supervision of the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is a possibility that certain products may be contaminated or produce negative side effects. If you're considering using herbs or dietary supplements to manage anxiety, talk to your doctor before starting any treatment plan so that they can provide advice on possible interactions with other medications you might be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.