Treating Anxiety

Treating anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people recognize the destructive thoughts that cause anxiety and distressing feelings.

The use of medication can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat and shaking. Patients must consult with their doctor to find the right dosage and medication for their needs.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It can also prevent us from sleeping properly But there are treatments that can help. Treatment can ease anxiety-related symptoms and allow you to live your life, while addressing any underlying causes. A combination of medication and therapy could have an even greater impact on your mood and increase your overall quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root cause of anxiety by boosting levels of brain chemicals that help create a feeling of calm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from absorbing serotonin in the brain and increase its availability. This helps you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include such drugs as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Zoloft. Other antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety include serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by acting on the brain's receptors to create the body to relax. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can become addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also do not work well over time.

Other antianxiety medications such as buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone cortisol in your body by blocking receptors in your brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to constipation, diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction in a few individuals.

There are other antianxiety drugs such as melatonin and phenytoin are sedatives which reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines also help treat anxiety. They help reduce the itching that is caused by allergies and make you feel more relaxed.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as tetracycline or moclobemide, are also used to decrease anxiety. These are usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other prescription medicines that have been found to reduce anxiety in clinical trials are not approved for this purpose, however they can be prescribed off-label by certain doctors.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental illness) or psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. In addition to assisting with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist is important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives a sense safety to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. This method helps you develop specific techniques to help you manage your worries and gradually return you to activities you've avoided due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually come across the event or object that triggers anxiety to overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy can help you understand why you feel anxious, and how to treat anxiety your imagination may exaggerate dangers that do not exist. The therapist also educates you about the physiology of the body's natural ”flight-or-fight” response and why it is not triggered by things that are usually harmless.

Therapy is typically done in a series of sessions lasting approximately an hour each, with patients often receiving assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist may be difficult. You may need to try a few before you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.

Self-help methods can be beneficial as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques. You can lessen anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, as well as abstaining from caffeine and nicotine. Humor is a fantastic stress relief. You can try to include more laughter into your life. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety disorder that is threatening your safety or the safety of others, consult your doctor for an emergency treatment, preferably with a benzodiazepine. The treatment isn't often required however it can be extremely efficient. The use of medications is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but it can be beneficial in certain instances.

Lifestyle changes

There are a variety of lifestyle changes that, along with medication and psychotherapy, can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoidance of tobacco or alcohol as well as getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques can be beneficial.

Regular exercise can be a powerful stress-reducing tool and has been shown to improve mood and self treatment for anxiety-reported anxiety symptoms. Finding an exercise routine that is safe for each individual can be a challenge however even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately graded exercise was also found to be effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism is unclear, it's believed that exercise alters brain chemical by controlling 5-HT neurotransmitters in the dorsal raphe nucleus and reducing levels of cortisol.

It has been proven that acupuncture, massage, and other CAM therapies can be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited and a poor methods are often at fault. While some studies are promising however, the majority of these modalities do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.

Furthermore, the connection between food and anxiety isn't simple. In fact, some foods can actually increase anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that result in or worsening anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the restriction of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, has been proven to be helpful in reducing anxiety, however more research is required, such as assisted substance withdrawal programs and controlled prospective studies.

Other dietary supplements like omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be of value in reducing anxiety. The reason for this is not clear, but researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs in lowering anxiety symptoms. Other changes in diet can help with anxiety, including increasing the quantity and variety of vegetables and fruits and incorporating more whole grains and avoiding processed food items.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Although herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been used for centuries in some parts of the world to alleviate anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and safety of these natural remedies is only recently subjected to rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. The amino acid precursors l -tryptophan and l -lysine reduce anxiety symptoms as well through their effects on neurotransmitters which are involved in the stress response.

Many people suffering from anxiety experience a broad spectrum of symptoms. The symptoms can range from a transient feeling of nervousness or worry before surgery or menstruation or menstrual flow, to more constant feelings of anxiety and unease which are often associated with more severe anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic disorder) and social anxiety disorders. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as sweating, headaches, and trembling, and difficulty sleeping.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to identify and react to thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety in a different way. In combination with medications CBT can help treat Anxiety Non Medication new treatments for anxiety; Santana-Bergmann.Federatedjournals.Com, and relieve symptoms such as fatigue and depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish like mackerel, salmon, and herring, are renowned for their benefits to heart health, but they may also improve brain functioning. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.

It is important to note that dietary and herbal supplements are not monitored by the FDA in the same way that pharmaceutical drugs are, therefore there is a chance that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or exhibit side effects that could be harmful. If you're considering using dietary supplements or herbs to reduce anxiety, talk to your doctor before starting any treatment plan so that they can advise you on possible interactions with other medications you could be taking, and offer recommendations for dosages.(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/general-medical-council-logo.png)