littervalley0 – https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment

Treating AnxietyPsychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the most common methods of treating anxiety. CBT helps people identify the negative thoughts patterns that can cause anxiety and a variety of other feelings.The use of medication can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat or shaking. It is important to work closely with your doctor in order to find the most effective medication and dosage.MedicinesAnxiety is the natural reaction to stress. It can hinder us from sleeping, however there are treatments that can help. The use of medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and make life easier by dealing with the root causes. A combination of medications and therapy could have an even greater impact on your mood and improve your quality of life.Antidepressants relieve anxiety by increasing the amount of chemicals that help you calm down in your brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. They prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin from the brain and increase its availability. This makes you feel more relaxed. SSRIs include medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine-re inhibitors (SNRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and others are also used to combat anxiety.Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are effective in relieving anxiety symptoms. They do this by acting on brain receptors that cause an energizing effect. They are effective in treating anxiety, however, they can be addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also don’t work well over time.Other antianxiety drugs like buspirone, quetiapine and clonidine reduce the amount of stress hormone cortisol that is present in your body by blocking receptors within the brain. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness as well as dry mouth. Antidepressants and SSRIs can also lead to constipation, nausea, diarrhea and sexual dysfunction in some individuals.A few other antianxiety medications like phenytoin and mellatonin are sedatives that decrease the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety. Antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety, by reducing the itchiness caused by allergies and causing you to feel more relaxed.Other forms of medication that are used to reduce anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like moclobemide and tetracycline. They are typically used when other treatments fail. Other prescription medications that have been found to decrease anxiety in clinical trials are not approved for this purpose, however they can be prescribed off label by some doctors.PsychotherapyPsychotherapy or talk therapy with mental health professionals can ease anxiety disorders. This may be a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who is specialized in mental illness) psychologist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. In addition to addressing the root cause of anxiety, the therapist can provide support and encouragement. The presence of the therapist is important for anxiety sufferers; it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gives a sense security to the patient.Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best option for treating anxiety. This approach teaches you specific techniques to manage your anxieties and gradually return you to activities you’ve avoided due to anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, where you gradually encounter the object or circumstance that triggers anxiety to overcome your anxieties.Psychotherapy can help you understand why you are anxious and how your mind can overestimate dangers that don’t exist. The therapist will also teach you about the physiology of the body’s natural “flight-or-fight” response and why it is not triggered by things that are generally harmless.treatment for depression and anxiety is usually conducted in sessions that last about an hour each and patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. It can take a while to find the ideal therapist for you, and you might need to test several before finding someone you feel comfortable with.Self-help techniques, such as breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation can be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy. You can lessen anxiety by ensuring you get enough rest and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding nicotine and caffeine. Humor is an excellent stress relief. You can try to incorporate more laughter into your life. If you are experiencing an acute anxiety attack that could be threatening your safety or that of others’ safety, talk to your physician for an emergency anxiety medication, which is usually an benzodiazepine. This type of treatment is not often needed, but it is extremely effective. The use of medicines is not a substitute for psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain instances.Lifestyle changesThere are many lifestyle changes that, in addition to psychotherapy and medication, can help people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, getting enough sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques can help.Regular exercise is an effective way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It has also been shown that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be challenging to find an exercise routine that is right for you, but even small amounts of exercise can be beneficial.Regular, moderately graded exercise has also been found to be effective in treating depression and is associated with an increased remission rate of anxiety disorders. Although the mechanism behind it is undetermined however, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the circulating levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.The practice of acupuncture massage therapy, and other CAM treatments has been found to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, evidence is limited and is often hampered by poor methodology. While some studies show promise, the majority of these treatments do not provide the clinical evidence needed for doctors to recommend them.The relationship between anxiety and food is not straightforward. In reality, certain foods may actually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For example, highly palatable and fatty foods promote the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain that create or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. It has been demonstrated that dietary changes, including the restriction of nicotine and alcohol can help reduce anxiety. However, further research including controlled prospective studies and withdrawal programs for substance abuse, are needed.Other dietary supplements such as omega-3 fish oil have been shown to be of value in reducing anxiety. The reason for this isn’t clear, but researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce production of inflammatory cytokines. They also increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety symptoms. Other dietary changes can ease anxiety, such as increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits as well as incorporating more whole grains and avoiding processed foods.Herbal and dietary supplementsClinical studies have only recently been conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of natural supplements that have been used in certain parts of world for centuries to ease anxiety symptoms. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that comes that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine has been proven to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors such as l-tryptophan and l-lysine may also reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters 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 worry that is experienced prior to menstrual or surgical procedures to the pervasive tension and unease that are more severe kinds of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating, with symptoms such as sweating, headaches, and trembling and trouble sleeping.Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an effective treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches patients to recognize and respond to thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different way. When used in conjunction with medications, this approach can help treat anxiety and alleviate symptoms like fatigue and depression.Omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon, can also reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acids found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, are identified to improve the health of the heart and also boost the health of the brain. Flaxseeds can also be a great 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 as pharmaceutical drugs are, and therefore there is a chance that certain products could be contaminated with other substances or exhibit negative side effects that could be dangerous. Consult your doctor if you’re contemplating using herbal or dietary supplements for anxiety. They can offer information on the possible interactions between the herbs and other medications that you may be taking and dosage recommendations.