What Is Best Treatment For Anxiety? How To Utilize It
What is the Best Treatment For Anxiety?
Anxiety can be managed through natural treatments, therapy and lifestyle changes. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy are more effective in treating anxiety disorders than medication for the long term.
Treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines (like diazepam and alprazolam) can help with anxiety, but they should only be used in short-term doses to avoid dependence. Consult your physician about which treatments are right for you.
Medications
Medicines are among the tools used by psychiatrists to treat anxiety, as are psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Many types of medications can help you to feel more relaxed. These include SSRI antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Your doctor will recommend the right medication based on your diagnosis, medical history, goals, symptoms and tolerance.
SSRIs are typically the first anti-anxiety drugs doctors prescribe. They work by impacting serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that affects sleep and mood. They may take several weeks before they begin working, but they tend to be extremely effective and can offer long-term relief from anxiety. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa).
If you are not responding to SSRIs your doctor may suggest beta blockers or benzodiazepines. These drugs relax muscles and reduce the activity of brain cells, which can help ease anxiety. They are typically used for short-term use to control immediate symptoms, and they can be addictive. Common benzodiazepines are lorazepam, diazepam, and clonazepam.
Beta blockers are medications that lower blood pressure and heart rate They are usually prescribed for people with heart issues. They can also be beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety, especially when their anxiety is related to a rapid pulse. Propranolol is one example of a beta blocker.
In certain instances, your doctor may also prescribe an atypical antidepressant called mirtazapine, which can treat depression and anxiety. This medication can cause dry mouth, weight gain and sedation.
Natural remedies and diet changes are also part of your treatment plan. Avoid foods known to trigger or increase anxiety, such as alcohol, sugar, and caffeine. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest instead. Meditation, yoga or tai chi have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
Support groups and cognitive behavior therapy, for instance, can help you manage your thoughts and feelings. Other proven methods to aid you in overcoming anxiety include trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as EMDR therapy. Finding a mental healthcare professional who you can trust to reduce your symptoms is the most important thing.
Natural Remedies
Everyone has anxiety from time to moment. However, anxiety can turn into problematic if it is experienced frequently and starts to interfere with your health or daily routine. If you experience anxiety on a regular basis, it's important to seek out help from a mental health professional.
There are a number of natural solutions that can reduce anxiety symptoms. Here are some options to think about:
1. Exercise: A few jump jacks or stretching exercises can be a big help in making you feel more calm. Moving releases endorphins that are a collective 'happy-hormone' that helps to reduce stress. Try to squeeze some exercise every day.
2. Essential Oils: Inhaling the fragrance of diluted lavender or other calming oils may have a calming effect according to a study published in the journal Phytomedicine. There are calming oils in many forms, such as inhalers, oils to apply on your skin or on your body, as well as herbal teas.
3. Limiting Caffeine and Alcohol Consuming too much alcohol or caffeine can cause anxiety to become more severe, as it can cause jitteriness and increase heart rate. It can also trigger insomnia which can cause anxiety.
4. Nutrition: A healthy diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and other nutrients can help manage anxiety, as well as other health issues. Adding fish, chia seeds, and walnuts to your diet can be a great place to start.
5. Meditation: The practice of meditation can improve your overall mood and decrease anxiety, however it's essential to work with an experienced practitioner to reap the greatest benefits. It is also essential to have a space without distractions so you can focus on your breathing.
6. Supplements Certain herbs, such as Ashwagandha, may help lower the cortisol levels in your body. This hormone can be an important reason for anxiety. Consult your physician about incorporating these into your treatment plan.
Many medications are FDA approved for anxiety disorders and can be effective when combined with psychotherapy. They include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as citalopram, the escitalopram and fluoxetine, the SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) like mirtazapine or paroxetine, and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) such as clomipramine or tofranil.
Therapy
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, and that's a good thing because it's your brain's way of alerting you to possible danger. Individuals with anxiety disorders however, experience excessive worry and tension which can affect their daily lives. The treatment for anxiety is psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular form of treatment for anxiety disorders. This kind of therapy teaches you to recognize the thinking patterns that lead to anxiety and work on changing the way you think about them. This is a short-term treatment and many people see improvements in their symptoms after between 8 and 10 sessions.
Psychotherapy can be used to treat anxiety in many different ways. Examples include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Hypnotherapy. Your therapist can help you select the best therapy for your particular diagnosis and the situation.
Many anxiety disorders are linked with chemical imbalances in the brain. Antidepressant medication can help manage these imbalances. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake suppressors) like citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram, Zoloft and paroxetine are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. SNRIs, also known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are beneficial for managing anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants such as mirtazapine and Tofranil (Remeron) could also prove beneficial.
Alongside psychotherapy medication is prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve their sensitivity to other treatments. Beta-blockers are frequently used to treat high blood pressure and can alleviate physical anxiety symptoms like shaking or a rapid pulse. Benzodiazepines are able to calm nerves and help treat anxiety attacks. Anticonvulsants, including low doses of the ones used to stop seizures in epilepsy can ease the trembling and tingling that are common to anxiety disorders.
Natural remedies and lifestyle modifications can help with anxiety by decreasing stress levels and encouraging relaxation. Exercise can be a great anxiety reliever and it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A regular diet of healthy food and getting enough rest can also help to reduce anxiety. You may also consider trying herbal remedies and dietary supplements to treat anxiety, but make sure you consult your doctor before beginning any of these treatments to make sure they're safe for you.
Lifestyle Changes
You could be suffering from an anxiety issue if your fear or anxiety is out of control. Anxiety disorders are treated using therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are the most common medications used to treat anxiety disorders. The antidepressants most often prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is possible to try various drugs before you find one that is effective for you. Antidepressants take some time to begin working, so you may need to be patient when you first start them.
Counseling or talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You can find licensed therapists through local mental health clinics or through online platforms that permit you to receive mental healthcare in the convenience of your own home. These options provide a variety of benefits that traditional in-person therapy does not offer, including the flexibility and affordability.
Lifestyle changes, like avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, can help manage anxiety. Get the facts helps to burn stress chemicals, reduce anxiety and aids in getting an excellent night's sleep. Make sure you do 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. A balanced diet that incorporates a variety fruits, vegetables and lean protein can also reduce anxiety. You should also avoid substances that can cause or worsen anxiety, such as marijuana and illegal drugs as well as caffeine.
Exposure therapy can also help reduce anxiety. This method involves gradually exposing you things or situations that you are scared of, through relaxation techniques and coping statement. Once you feel comfortable and relaxed, you should try to remain longer in the feared environment. When you're able to accomplish this, you will appreciate that your fears are usually not true and you are able to be able to cope.
Other lifestyle changes can enhance your overall quality of life, for example, being able to recognize and manage negative emotions and taking a break while reading, watching or listening to the news or other events that can cause anxiety or stress, and joining a community of people who share similar anxiety symptoms.