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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety Everyone is worried and anxious at times, but those with anxiety have a hard time controlling their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications like beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines. Self-help strategies can help alleviate symptoms. Exercise, for instance, helps to reduce stress and relax your body. Medication If a change in lifestyle or psychotherapy do not help your anxiety, medication could be a viable option. Anxiety medications help to suppress fear signals and the body's fight or flight response. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety. They function by enhancing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. SSRIs like citalopram (citalopram), escitalopram (escitalopram), sertraline (prozac) and citalopram (escitalopram) are often the first medications prescribed. SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil or Pamelor can also be effective in treating anxiety. Benzodiazepines can also be used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and can be very helpful in the short-term however, they can be addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia. There are a myriad of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health professionals can prescribe them. These providers include psychologists and psychiatrists as also primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, and some psychiatrists. They also need to undergo special training to prescribe medications. Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to reduce anxiety. You can also find relaxation techniques to reduce stress, including deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. Biofeedback can be another beneficial technique, in which a therapist monitors your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and teaches you how to control them at will. Additionally, natural supplements such as melatonin or 5-HTP may also aid in easing anxiety. But, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements to treat anxiety or for any other reason. Using supplements in conjunction with a complete treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can maximize the effectiveness of your treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most studied and empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Despite the fact that different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and methods. The first step in CBT is to identify problematic thought patterns that can cause anxiety. In the course of therapy, patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist will also help patients identify and change behavior patterns that hinder them from doing so. The therapist may ask patients to keep journals or “thought records” outside of therapy sessions and to apply the strategies they've learned in their everyday life. The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to be their own therapists, by helping them understand their current patterns of thinking and behavior. This will allow patients overcome fears that are unfounded and anxieties, decrease their anxiety levels and other negative emotions and be more resilient. CBT techniques involve identifying and changing distortions of the patient's thinking that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. The therapist can also help the patient develop strategies for coping to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. These techniques can be applied to any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. It involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes them anxiety. This can be done by creating a mental picture or confronting the subject or situation in real life. A person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a specific area, may be urged by their physician to visit the site where they were attacked. A person with social anxiety disorder, who is scared of speaking in public, may be encouraged to make an address in front of the group. Some studies have shown that combination strategies of CBT and pharmacotherapy can improve outcomes. These results are not conclusive, and more research is required. Combining medications with CBT is usually more effective than either of them on its own. Combinations of benzodiazepines with CBT have been proven to be particularly effective for patients suffering from panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder. Therapy for exposure Exposure therapy is among the most effective treatments to manage anxiety. It helps you confront the things that you are afraid of in a secure setting with a therapist. It might seem daunting but it can help you realize that your fears are not justifiable and that you are able to accept your triggers. It can also improve your confidence in dealing with life's challenges. There are several different types of exposure therapy, including virtual reality, imaginal and systematic desensitization. If you're scared to speak in public, your therapist could suggest that you practice with a partner or imagine yourself delivering the speech. You can then gradually confront the situation with your therapist's support. Your therapist will be monitoring your anxiety and panic levels during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if necessary. During the session, your therapist will teach you how to relax and manage your emotions and then introduces you triggers that can make you feel anxious. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They can also teach you ways to avoid engaging in behaviors that cause anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted in a series of weekly sessions. However, some people require more than two or three sessions to overcome their fear. treatments for anxiety disorders is to identify the triggers that cause anxiety. For instance, being on a plane or being in the presence of strangers. Your therapist will assist you choose an exposure therapy method that fits your preferences and personality. This could include using a hierarchical system to decide the order in which exposures are performed or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning. In vivo exposure therapy involves confronting the object or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing an overpass or having someone else reach out to you. This technique can be used to treat specific anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to incorporate in your schedule between appointments, so it is essential to find a therapist that specializes in this type of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychology association or mental network. It's an excellent idea to review reviews and ask your relatives or friends for suggestions. Complementary therapies Complementary therapies include a range of healthcare treatments that are not traditionally considered part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines Meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also aid in relieving symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones in your body. Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvement in anxiety-related symptoms. This approach uses different types of meditation to increase mindfulness, which is the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be practiced by everyone, and does not require any special equipment or training. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to participate in meditation that requires movements. Other therapies that can ease anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and hypnosis. These techniques assist you in controlling anxiety by the focus on relaxing muscles, calming breathing, and visual imagery. They can be used at home or in a therapeutic setting. These techniques are often paired with other forms of therapy such a cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Regular exercise can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic, which in turn can lessen your anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It teaches you how to identify and combat negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can employ strategies such as the comparison of your fears to previous experiences, weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of an incident, and determining if it is realistic to be worried about what could happen. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, can be used to treat stress. It is based on the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen meridian or kidney can cause anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture could reduce anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.