Treating Anxiety
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/coe-2023.png)Treating anxiety treatment groups typically involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the negative thought patterns that lead to anxious and troubling feelings.
The medication can be used to manage anxiety-related physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat or shaking. Patients should work closely with their physician to find the right dosage and medication for them.
Medicines
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, and it can prevent us from sleeping, but there are treatments that can aid. Medicine can help ease anxiety symptoms and make life easier by addressing the underlying causes. Combining therapy and medication can have a bigger impact on mood and the quality of life.
Antidepressants reduce anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals that help you calm 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 increase the amount available, making it easier to feel more relaxed. SSRIs are medicines like Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants, such as serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and others can also be used to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) works quickly to ease anxiety symptoms by activating brain receptors to cause the body to relax. They are effective at managing anxiety, but they can become addictive if they are used for more than 4 weeks and don't work as well over time, and therefore are not recommended for long-term use.
Other antianxiety medicines like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol within your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequently reported side effect is sleepiness. People can also suffer from diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.
Other antianxiety medications like phenytoin or melatonin function as sedatives, reducing the activity of certain brain neurons, which can reduce anxiety in elderly Treatment. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety. They reduce the itching caused by allergies, and help you feel more relaxed.
Other types of medication that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxide inhibitors, like moclobemide and Tetracycline. These are typically pursued after other treatments have failed. Certain doctors may prescribe off-label prescription medications that have been proven to reduce anxiety during clinical trials, but are not licensed.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can help ease anxiety disorders. This could be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor with a specialization in mental illness) or psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. The therapist can also provide assistance and encouragement in addition to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. The physical presence of the therapist can be important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and provides a sense of security to the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best choice for treating anxiety. This method helps you develop specific techniques to manage your anxieties and gradually return you back to activities that you've avoided due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually encounter the situation or object that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help you understand why you feel anxious, and how to treat anxiety without medication your mind can overestimate dangers that don't exist. The psychotherapist will also explain to you the physiology that triggers the body's “fight-or-flight” response and how it can be triggered by situations that are usually harmless.
The therapy is usually done in a series of sessions lasting about an hour each. Patients are usually given assignments to complete in between sessions. Finding the right therapist may be difficult. You may have to try several before you discover a therapist you are comfortable with.
Self-help techniques can be helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques. You can lower anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is a fantastic stress reliever. Try to include more laughter into your life. In the event that you experience an extreme anxiety attack that threatens your safety or that of others, consult your physician for emergency anxiolytic treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. This treatment is rarely needed, but it can be very effective. They are not an alternative treatment for anxiety and panic attacks to psychotherapy, however they can help in certain situations.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to psychotherapy and medications, there are a number of lifestyle changes that could significantly help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine 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 help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. Developing an exercise regimen that is safe for each person can be challenging however even a small amount of physical activity 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. While the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined, it is believed that exercise influences brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The use of acupuncture, massage therapy and other CAM treatments has been shown to have some benefit in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and is often hampered by poor methodology. While some studies have shown promise however, the majority of these modalities do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.
The relationship between food and anxiety is a complex one. In reality, certain foods can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example the highly palatable and fat-rich foods increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that result in or worsening anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the cutting down on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been shown to be helpful in reducing anxiety, but more research is required, such as programs for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, as well as controlled future studies.
It has been demonstrated that other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. The reason for this is not clear however, researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids may reduce production of inflammatory cytokines, and increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet can help with anxiety, such as increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits as well as incorporating more whole grains, and avoiding all processed foods.
Herbal and dietary supplements
Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been extensively used for centuries in certain parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the effectiveness and safety of these natural anxiety treatments remedies is only recently subjected to rigorous clinical tests. Ashwagandha, a dietary supplement (Withania somnifera) is a plant that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine is found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine can also help reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters involved in the stress response.
Many people who suffer from anxiety suffer from a wide range symptoms. The symptoms may range from a brief sensation of anxiety or worry before surgery or menstruation or menstrual flow, to more constant feelings of anxiety and unease which are a sign of more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating, and may include headaches, trembling and sweating, muscle tightness, and difficulties sleeping.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that teaches patients to be aware and respond to the thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different way. When combined with medication, this approach can aid in treating anxiety and alleviate symptoms like depression and fatigue.
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, are well-known for their heart-health benefits however, they can also enhance brain function. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.
It is important to keep in mind that herbal and dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance certain products could be infected with other substances or have side effects that could be harmful. Consult your physician if you're considering using herbal or dietary supplements to treat anxiety. They can give you advice on possible interactions between herbal supplements and other medications you are taking, as well as dosage guidelines.