Anxiety Disorder Help
If you experience persistent anxiety symptoms, it is possible to seek assistance. Treatment for anxiety disorders usually includes medication and therapy.
You might be prescribed benzodiazepines, or modern antidepressants, to alleviate anxiety. SSRIs, such as Lexapro and Prozac and SNRIs like duloxetine and venlafaxine are typical examples. Your therapist can also instruct you on techniques to help reduce anxiety symptoms, like confronting negative thoughts or exposure therapy.
Medicines
Medication is one method to combat anxiety disorders and reduce the need for psychotherapy. However, they're not for everyone and there are other options, too. For example, getting plenty of exercise, focusing on healthy eating and utilizing relaxation techniques are methods to manage stress that do not require medication. If you're taking medication to control your anxiety, it's important to stick to the dosages and keep your appointments for therapy.
Antidepressants are usually prescribed by doctors to patients with anxiety disorders. They help to correct an imbalance in brain chemicals and can take anywhere from four to six weeks to begin working. SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the antidepressants most commonly used to combat anxiety. The neurotransmitters that influence mood are impacted by drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Other medications, such as SNRIs such as Effexor(venlafaxine) or Cymbalta(duloxetine) are also able to be prescribed for anxiety and depression.
If SSRIs aren't working, doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. These tranquilizers target GABA (gamma-aminobutyric Acid), a chemical that calms the brain. The most popular benzodiazepines are Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). They can cause dangerous side effects such as addiction and are therefore only recommended for short-term use.
Other medicines, such as propranolol which is approved for treating social anxiety disorders works by blocking the monoamine oxidase chemical A. They do not affect the brain in the same way as benzodiazepines, however they are more effective and do not have the same negative side effects. Benzodiazepines, SNRIs, and SSRIs are usually reserved for patients suffering from severe anxiety. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders however can be used to treat a wide range of anxiety disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can be part of the treatment plan for anxiety disorder. A qualified mental health professional can help you select the appropriate kind of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy focuses on talking with the therapist about your issues and working together to develop techniques and strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps you to learn how to overcome anxiety-related thoughts and behavior. CBT helps you recognize and break destructive patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. It helps you recognize specific situations or objects who trigger anxiety and teach you how to manage. CBT is a suggested treatment for many types of anxiety disorders.
It is a form of psychotherapy which can be used to treat anxiety disorders. In this therapy, you will lie down on a couch or a reclined chair while a therapist guides you through different phases of the therapy which could involve looking at an object through your eyes, listening to music, or reminiscing about a negative incident from your past (for instance, being scared of storms because someone broke up with you during a severe storm). EMDR can help you reduce anxiety symptoms and help overcome negative associations.
Interpersonal psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on improving relationships and social functioning. Although it's not a specific treatment for anxiety, IPT can help you to address issues that may be causing your anxiety, such as an underlying depression or a substance abuse.
Exercise
Exercise is a natural stress reliever and has been shown to help relieve anxiety. It is also beneficial for physical health and may improve sleep, both of which can be impacted by anxiety disorders. It is also a cost-effective treatment that is possible to do on your own.
Most studies have shown that anything from high intensity interval training to tai-chi can be effective. Finding something you enjoy is key to increase your chances of taking part and building resilience. Exercise can also give you an escape from the routine of life and help reduce anxiety. This is particularly beneficial for those who suffer from Distraction Theory, a psychological theory that states that anxious patients tend to avoid social interaction and engage in a lot of self-talk and worry.
Exercise can't eliminate anxiety but it can be combined alongside other treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms. Exposure therapy and exercise can aid patients overcome their fear of flying or driving. Attention training is a different technique that helps a person control their brain's waves. During a series of sessions with a certified therapist, the patient watches their own brain waves on an electroencephalograph monitor and teaches themselves to achieve a more relaxed state at will.
The evidence for the effectiveness of exercise as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety is a bit shaky however it is an attractive option for treatment of this very prevalent mental illness. It's likely to become an integral part of the future of treatment for anxiety disorders in particular since many GPs offer "exercise on prescription" plans which offer patients the opportunity to participate in a training program at a reduced cost at an exercise facility in the area.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques reduce stress and anxiety through the body's relaxation process which is defined as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing and biofeedback assisted relaxation are the most common examples of these techniques. These techniques are most efficient for a large number of people if they use them regularly.
A health care professional or mental health professional can teach you these techniques and give you the tools needed to practice them on your own. Your healthcare team might also suggest joining self-help or group therapy groups. These are excellent places to connect with others who have similar issues. Keeping in contact with family and friends, exercising daily and staying clear of alcohol and other drugs can be helpful in decreasing stress.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders comprises cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT helps you identify and overcome irrational fears as well as negative thoughts that fuel anxiety. Then you can replace these thoughts with more realistic, calming ones. Exposure therapy involves slowly confronting situations that cause anxiety until you are able to handle the anxiety without fear. Usually, you start with the most threatening situations and then move on to more challenging ones.
Other psychological treatments for anxiety include mindfulness, hypnosis, and support groups. These can be particularly useful when you have co-occurring disorders that can trigger anxiety, like depression or substance misuse. Sleeping enough and eating well are other beneficial habits that can help ease the symptoms. It is important to get regular exercise, because it helps to burn up the stress chemicals produced during a stressful time. It is also important to develop solid relationships with others since loneliness and isolation could exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating
Anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms and behaviors, including muscle tension, abdominal distress and feelings of panic. While it's normal to worry and feel anxious at times, extreme anxiety can cause an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and anxiety that interferes with daily life. If you suffer from anxiety, you can manage your symptoms by learning techniques for managing anxiety and following the advice of your physician.
In addition to medication and therapy, eating a healthy diet can aid in the reduction of anxiety symptoms. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help to reduce your stress levels and provide the nutrients your body requires to function optimally.
Avoid foods high in fat or sugar since they can aggravate anxiety symptoms. To remain hydrated, drink plenty of water and non-caffeinated drinks. A few of the foods that have been found to help ease anxiety include avocados, bananas and avocados, as well as dark chocolate, berries, oysters, and fish. Green leafy vegetables, like swiss-chard or spinach as well as pumpkin seeds, beans, nuts and whole grains are all good sources of magnesium. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in many fish species such as salmon, trout, walnuts, and sardines. They can also help reduce anxiety symptoms.
There is a strong link between anxiety disorders and eating disorders, and it is important to seek treatment for both when you suffer from them. Treatment for both conditions is usually best achieved by combining psychiatric medication with psychotherapy. Talk therapy can teach you how to deal with your negative emotions and replace them with more positive ones, and psychiatric medications can assist to reduce your anxiety symptoms and prevent them from becoming too severe.