Treating Anxiety

Treating anxiety typically involves psychological counseling, which can include psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns that lead to anxious and troublesome feelings.

Medication can help control anxiety-related physical symptoms, like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is important to work closely with your health care provider in order to find the most effective medication and dosage.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping, but there are treatment options that can aid. The use of medication can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and make it easier to live your life without worrying about any underlying causes. Combining medication and therapy can have a greater impact on mood and the quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root cause of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals which create a sense calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They block nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin from the brain and increase the availability of serotonin. This helps you feel calmer. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Other antidepressants which may also be used for anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium help quickly relieve anxiety symptoms. They accomplish this by affecting brain receptors which produce a calming affect. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if used for longer than 4 weeks. They also don't work as well over time, so they are not recommended for long-term use.

Other antianxiety medicines like buspirone, quetiapine 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 side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth. People can also suffer from diarrhea, nausea constipation, nausea and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.

Other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and melatonin work as sedatives, reducing the activity of specific brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety. Antihistamines can also be used to treat anxiety, reducing the itching caused by allergies and making you feel more relaxed.

Other types of medications that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as moclobemide and Tetracycline. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medications that have been shown to reduce anxiety in clinical trials are not approved for this purpose, but can be prescribed off label by some doctors.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy, or through talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This can be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist may offer support and encouragement. The presence of the therapist's physical presence is essential for patients suffering from anxiety. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives them a sense of security.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method teaches you how to manage your anxiety and gradually return to activities you avoided because of anxiety. This includes exposure therapy in which you gradually come across the situation or object that causes anxiety, and then overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy helps you understand why you feel anxious, and how your imagination can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The therapist also educates you on the physiology behind the body's natural "flight-or-fight" response and the reasons it is inappropriately triggered by things that are typically harmless.

Therapy is usually conducted in sessions that last about an hour each, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist may be a challenge. It is possible to try several before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.

Self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation can be a useful addition to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a great stress relief. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your everyday life. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety episode that could compromise your safety or that of others, see your doctor for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required, but it can be very effective. The use of medication is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain cases.

Lifestyle changes

There are many lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, could aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from smoking and alcohol as well as getting enough rest and utilizing relaxation techniques can all help.

Regular exercise is a powerful method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has also been proven that it can improve anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. Making a workout routine that is safe for every individual can be a challenge however even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately graded exercise has also been shown to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanisms are still unknown, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry through altering the neurotransmitters 5-HT in the dorsal Raphe Nucleus and decreasing levels of cortisol.

It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. However, the evidence is not conclusive and often hampered by poor methodology. While there are a few studies that show promising results, the majority of these treatments do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them as a best treatment for anxiety Disorder generalized option.

The relationship between anxiety and food is a complex one. In fact, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. For instance high-fat and palatable foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms. It has been proven that dietary improvement, especially the restriction of nicotine and alcohol, can reduce anxiety. However, further research, including controlled prospective studies and assisted withdrawal programs for substance abuse, are required.

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 acids supplements may decrease the production of inflammatory chemicals and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet that could be beneficial for anxiety include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, adding whole grains and avoiding processed foods.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Clinical trials have only been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of natural treatment for anxiety attacks products that have been utilized in various parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l-tryptophan as well as L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms by altering neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress response.

Many people who suffer from anxiety report a wide range of symptoms, ranging from the transient feeling of nervousness or anxiety that can occur prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the omnipresent anxiety and feelings of 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 proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy which teaches patients to recognize and react to thoughts and behavior that trigger anxiety in a different manner. When combined with medication this method can reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms like fatigue and depression.

A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid that are found in fish like mackerel, salmon, and herring, are recognized to improve heart health and also boost the health of the brain. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.

It is important to note that dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a possibility that some products may be contaminated with other substances or cause adverse effects that could be harmful. Talk to your doctor if you are contemplating using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can give you advice on possible interactions between herbal supplements and other medications you may be taking, as well as dosage recommendations.