Treating Anxiety

Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy (CBT) are both common treatments for anxiety. CBT helps people identify the harmful thought patterns that cause anxiety and troubling feelings.

Medication can help control physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. People must work closely with their physician to determine the best medication and dosage for them.

Medications

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, and it can prevent us from sleeping well, but there are treatment options that can aid. Treatment can ease anxiety-related symptoms and allow you to live your life while addressing the root causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a greater impact on your mood and the quality of life.

Antidepressants treat high functioning anxiety treatment by increasing the amount of chemicals that calm you down in your brain. The most commonly used kind of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin and boost its availability, helping you feel more calm. These include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants, such as serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and others are also available to combat anxiety.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by stimulating the brain's receptors to create a calming effect. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if taken for longer than 4 weeks. They also are not as effective over time, which is why they are usually not prescribed for long-term use.

Other antianxiety medications like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone in your body. They accomplish this by blocking receptors inside the brain. The most common adverse result is drowsiness. People can also be afflicted by diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction when taking antidepressants or SSRIs.

Other antianxiety medicines like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives by decreasing the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety. They can reduce the itching caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.

Monoamine oxide inhibitors, such as tetracycline and moclobemide are also used to decrease anxiety. These are usually used after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medicines that have been proven to reduce anxiety in clinical trials aren't approved for this purpose, however they may be prescribed off label by some doctors.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders can sometimes be relieved by psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of the anxiety attack treatment without medication, the therapist can offer support and encouragement. The physical presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives a sense security to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you specific skills to directly manage your worries and gradually return you back to activities that you've avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy, in which you gradually confront the thing or event that causes anxiety, in order to learn to accept it and overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy can help you understand why you feel anxious, and how your imagination may overestimate dangers that don't exist. The counselor will also guide you through the physiology of the body's "fight-or-flight" response, and why it can be triggered by things that are generally harmless.

Therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions lasting about an hour each with patients typically receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. It is possible to test several before you find someone who you are comfortable with.

Self-help methods, such as breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and meditation, can be a helpful adjunct to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding nicotine and caffeine. You can also try incorporating more laughter into your daily life, as humor is an effective stress-reducing agent. Finally, if you have an extreme anxiety attack that is threatening your safety or that of others, consult your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed however it can be extremely efficient. They are not an alternative to psychotherapy but they can help in certain cases.

Lifestyle changes

There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, can help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Regular exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has also been shown that it can improve 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-graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating depression. It has also been associated with a higher rates of remission from anxiety disorders. Although the mechanisms behind this are unknown however, it is believed that exercise affects the brain's chemical chemistry by altering 5-HT neurotransmitters that are found in the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

It has been proven that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety in bipolar disorder anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and often hindered by poor research methodology. While some studies show promise however, the majority of these modalities do not have the clinical evidence required for doctors to recommend them.

The relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In reality, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Highly palatable, fatty foods can increase the production in the brain of reactive oxygen species which can worsen or cause anxiety symptoms. It has been shown that dietary changes, including cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can help reduce anxiety. However, more research that includes controlled prospective studies as well as assisted withdrawal programs from substances, is needed.

Other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oil have been found to be of value in helping to reduce anxiety. The reason for this is not clear however, researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce production of inflammatory cytokines, and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other dietary changes that can be beneficial to anxiety sufferers include increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables, incorporating whole grains and avoiding processed foods.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Clinical trials have only recently been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natural substances that have been used in some parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha, a plant that is part of Indian medicine's Ayurvedic tradition, is particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan as well as L-lysine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.

Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms can range from a transient feeling such as nervousness or anxiety prior to surgery or menstruation or menstrual flow, to more persistent feeling of tension and unease that are often associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness and difficulty sleeping.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a successful treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people how to recognize and react differently to the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. This approach, when used in conjunction with medication, can help treat anxiety as well as alleviate symptoms related to it such as fatigue and depression.

A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids can aid in reducing anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, which are found in fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, are renowned for their heart-health benefits however, they can also enhance brain function. Flaxseeds are also a great source of omega-3 fats.

It is crucial to remember that dietary and herbal products are not subject to the supervision of the FDA the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. This means that there is a possibility that certain products could be contaminated or have adverse side effects. If you are thinking of using dietary supplements or herbs to control anxiety, consult your doctor before beginning any regimen so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.