What is the Best Treatment For Anxiety?
Anxiety can be treated with treatments, natural remedies and lifestyle modifications. Research suggests that psychological treatments like cognitive behavior therapy are more effective than medication for treating anxiety disorders over the long term.
Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines (like diazepam and alprazolam) can help with anxiety symptoms, but should only be used for short-term use to reduce dependence. Talk to your doctor to find out which treatments are best for you.
Medicines
Psychiatrists treat anxiety through medications, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. A variety of medications can help you to feel calmer. They include SSRI antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Your doctor will recommend the right medication based on your medical history, diagnosis goals, symptoms, and tolerance.
SSRIs are usually the first anti-anxiety drugs doctors prescribe. They work by affecting serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects sleep and mood. It can take them a few weeks before they begin to work however once they do, anxiety will be reduced for a long period of time. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa).
If you don’t respond to SSRIs your doctor may suggest beta blockers or benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety by encouraging relaxation of muscles and decreasing brain cell activity. They’re usually used short-term to manage symptoms that are immediate and can also be addictive. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are lorazepam diazepam, and Clonazepam.
Beta blockers are medications that reduce heart rate and blood pressure and are typically prescribed to people suffering from heart problems. However, they can be useful for people suffering from anxiety too, especially in cases where anxiety is connected to a rapid heartbeat. Propranolol is one example. It is beta-blocker.
In certain situations, your doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant atypically called mirtazapine to treat anxiety and depression. This medication can cause dry mouth, weight gain, and sedation.
You can also incorporate natural remedies and dietary modifications in your treatment plan. Avoid foods that are known to trigger or worsen anxiety, such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Focus on eating healthily and ensuring you get enough rest. Meditation, yoga or tai chi have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress.
Support groups for anxiety can be helpful, as can therapies like cognitive behavior therapy can teach you to manage your thoughts and emotions and conquer your fears. Psychotherapy focused on trauma and EMDR therapy are other evidence-based approaches which can help you deal with anticipatory anxiety treatment. Finding a mental health professional that you trust to help you minimize your symptoms is the most important thing.
Natural Remedies
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to moment. However, anxiety can become problematic if it is experienced on a regular basis and begins to affect your life or health. If you’re experiencing anxiety on a regular basis It’s worth speaking to an expert in mental health to seek help.
The good news is that a range of natural remedies can alleviate anxiety symptoms. Here are some options to try:
1. Exercise: A few stretches or jumping jacks can be a big help in helping you feel calmer. Exercise releases endorphins, which are a collective ‘happy hormone’ that helps reduce stress. Try to get in a bit of exercise every day.
2. Essential Oils. According to an article published in the journal Phytomedicine, inhaling the scent of diluted oils, such as lavender or other calming oils can have a calming affect. There are essential oils for relaxation in a variety of varieties, including inhalers and oils for your skin and herbal teas.
3. Limiting Caffeine or Alcohol: Too much caffeine or alcohol can cause anxiety to worsen due to the fact that they can cause jitteriness or increase heart rate. It may also lead to sleepiness, which can cause anxiety.
4. Nutrition: Consuming a diet high in vitamins and nutrients can help reduce anxiety as well as other health issues. Add chia seeds, fish, and walnuts to your diet may be a great way to begin.
5. Meditation: Practicing meditation can improve your overall mood and decrease anxiety, however it’s essential to work with an experienced practitioner to reap the greatest benefit. It is also important to have a quiet area that is free of distractions, so that you can concentrate on your breathing.
6. Supplements: Certain herbs such as Ashwagandha can reduce the level of the hormone cortisol in your body, which could be a major contributor to anxiety. Talk to your doctor about including these in your treatment plan.
FDA-approved medications for anxiety disorders may be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. This includes SSRIs, such as citalopram and escitalopram and SNRIs, like mirtazapine and paroxetine; and TCAs, like tofranil or clomipramine.
Therapy
Everyone is anxious from time to time, and that’s a good thing – it’s the brain’s way of alerting you to possible danger. Individuals with anxiety disorders however, experience excessive anxiety and worry that interferes with their daily life. Treatment for anxiety consists of psychotherapy and medication.
The most effective anxiety treatment popular treatment for anxiety disorders is psychotherapy, which is also known as cognitive behavior therapy. This kind of therapy helps you identify the thoughts patterns that cause anxiety and then work to change them. It’s a short-term solution and a lot of people notice improvement in their symptoms in 8 to 10 therapy sessions.
Psychotherapy is used to treat anxiety in a variety of different ways. Examples include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Hypnotherapy. Your therapist will assist you to determine the appropriate therapy for your specific diagnosis and the situation.
Many anxiety disorders can be due to chemical imbalances within the brain. Antidepressant medications can help manage these imbalances. SSRIs are also known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Prozac) are typically prescribed for anxiety disorders. SNRIs, or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are effective in managing anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine (Tofranil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) can also be beneficial.
Alongside psychotherapy, medications are prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms and increase their sensitivity to other treatments. Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and can reduce physical anxiety symptoms like shaking or a rapid pulse. Benzodiazepines, which are sometimes known as minor tranquillisers or sleeping pills, can calm the nervous system and are useful in the treatment of anxiety attacks. Anticonvulsants can be used to reduce untreated anxiety symptoms, such as the sensation of tingling, trembling, and other signs.
Natural remedies and lifestyle modifications can help with anxiety by helping to lower stress levels and promote relaxation. Exercise is a great anxiety reliever, and it’s recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regularly eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep anxiety treatment can also help reduce anxiety. You can also try herbal remedies and nutritional supplements to treat anxiety, but make sure you consult your physician prior to beginning any of these treatments to be sure that they are safe for you.
Lifestyle Changes
You may have an anxiety treatment without medication problem when your anxiety or fear becomes out of control. Anxiety disorders can be treated with medication, therapy and lifestyle changes.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety disorders. The antidepressants most often prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It could be necessary to try several different drugs until you find one that works. You may need to be patient with antidepressants as they take time to work.
Talk therapy or counseling is a proven treatment for anxiety, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You can find licensed psychotherapists in local mental health clinics or online platforms that let you receive treatment for mental health from the comfort of your home. These options offer benefits that traditional in person therapy cannot, such as the flexibility and affordability.
Lifestyle changes, like avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, can help you manage anxiety. Exercise can help reduce stress chemicals, relax you and aids in getting an excellent night’s sleep. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise every days of the weeks. A balanced diet that incorporates diverse vegetables, fruits and protein lean can help to reduce anxiety. Avoid substances that could trigger anxiety or worsen it like caffeine, marijuana and illegal drugs.
You can also reduce your anxiety by practicing exposure therapy. This technique involves gradually exposing yourself to situations or objects which you fear, using relaxation techniques and coping statements. When you feel ready, challenge yourself to stay in the dreadful situation for longer periods of time. Once you are able to do this, you can realize that your fears are typically unfounded and that you can cope.
Other lifestyle changes that can enhance your quality of life include the ability to recognize and manage negative thoughts and taking a break from watching, reading, or listening to news or other things that might cause anxiety and joining a support group for people who experience the similar anxiety symptoms that you do.
