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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety The people suffering from anxiety aren't able to control their reactions. Everyone is worried and scared at times. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications such as beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines. Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For example, exercise helps reduce stress and relax the body. Medication If psychotherapy or lifestyle changes aren't helping your anxiety medications could be a viable alternative. Anxiety medication reduces fear signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are among the most popular medication used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect mood. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are usually the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil, Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety. Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and may be beneficial in the short-term. However, they are addictive. The most common benzodiazepines are Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety but only licensed health professionals can prescribe these medications. They include psychiatrists and psychologists as well as primary health care doctors, some OBGYNs, and a few psychiatrist nurses. They must also receive special training to prescribe medications. Exercise and complementary therapies are a common method used by some people to help reduce anxiety. You can also find ways to relax and reduce stress, like 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 relieving anxiety. Consult your doctor before taking supplements to treat anxiety or any other health condition. Supplements can be taken as part of a comprehensive therapy plan that includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and supplements. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) CBT is among the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been extensively studied and backed by evidence-based research. It targets abnormal behavior and thoughts that cause anxiety over time. Despite the fact that various CBT protocols were developed for various anxiety disorders they all share common treatment goals and techniques. CBT begins by identifying dysfunctional thought patterns which contribute to anxiety. During sessions, patients learn to recognize these negative beliefs and challenge them. Therapists can also help patients recognize and modify their avoidance behavior. The therapist will ask patients to keep journals or “thought notes” outside of therapy sessions and to practice the strategies they've learned in their daily life. The aim is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists, by aiding them in understanding their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will help them eliminate unfounded fears, reduce their anxiety as well as other negative emotions, and improve their resilience. CBT techniques involve the identification and correction of distortions in the patient's mind that lead to overgeneralization and catastrophizing. Therapists also assist the patient in developing techniques to cope with stressful situations. These techniques can be employed to treat any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious object or circumstance. This could be done by visualizing the object or scenario or confronting it in actual life. A person suffering from PTSD who is afraid of a certain location, might be encouraged by their doctor to visit the site in which they were attacked. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who is afraid of public speaking could be encouraged to give a speech in front of the group. Certain studies have demonstrated that combining CBT with the use of pharmacotherapy can enhance outcomes. However, the results aren't conclusive, and further research is required. In general, mixing medications with CBT is more effective than any one by itself. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have proven to be especially effective in those suffering from generalized anxiety or panic disorder. Exposure therapy One of the most effective ways to treat anxiety is exposure therapy, which can help you face the things that scare you in a secure setting with an experienced therapy. The process may sound difficult but it can help you learn that your fears are unfounded and that you can tolerate the discomfort that triggers you. It will also increase your confidence in navigating the challenges of life. There are a variety of forms of exposure therapy. These include virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For instance, if scared of speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. Then, you'll gradually face the scenario in real life with your therapy therapist's help. Your therapist will keep track of your anxiety and fear during each session. They will adjust the amount of exposure if necessary. In the course of a session, your therapist will teach you how to calm and manage your feelings before introducing you to the triggers that cause you anxiety. This may include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and guided imagery. They will also teach strategies to avoid engaging in the behavior that triggers anxiety, such avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is usually conducted over a number of weekly sessions. However, some individuals require more than one or two sessions to overcome their fear. best herbal treatment for anxiety is to determine the situation or object that causes anxiety, such as flying on a plane or in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will assist you to decide on the method of exposure therapy that will suit your needs and personality. This could involve establishing a hierarchy to determine the sequence of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques before starting. In vivo exposure therapy is confronting the object or situation that you're afraid of. It could be as simple as crossing the bridge or touching your arm. This method can be used to treat certain phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder. It can be challenging to squeeze in vivo exposure therapy between appointments. Therefore it is essential to find a therapist that specializes in this form of cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. You can find a certified specialist through your local psychological association or mental network. It's recommended to look up reviews and ask family members or friends for recommendations. Complementary therapies Complementary therapies include a range of health treatments that are not typically considered part of Western medicine. They can aid in reducing anxiety by teaching you relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture and herbal medicines as well as yoga, meditation massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also help reduce depression symptoms by reducing the levels of stress hormones within your body. Recent research revealed that mindfulness-based programs resulted in moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This method employs different kinds of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and feelings. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and it does not require special equipment or any special training. However, those with physical limitations may not be able to take part in meditation practices that require movements. Other therapies that can help reduce anxiety include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. These techniques can help you control your anxiety by focussing on relaxing muscles, calming breathing techniques and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a therapy setting. These methods are often combined with other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or exposure therapy. Another way to ease anxiety is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol level, which is the hormone that triggers anxiety. A healthy diet can make you feel more energetic which can lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety. It helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to evaluate your fears and determine the likelihood that they'll happen. You can employ strategies such as comparing your fears with past experiences, weighing the pros and cons of an incident, and determining if it's reasonable to be concerned about a possibility that might occur. Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique, is used to alleviate stress. It is based on the evaluation of deficiencies or excesses in your energy (called qi) that are located in specific meridians. For instance, a deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridians can cause anxiety. Acupuncture studies have suggested that it can improve anxiety symptoms in combination with psychotherapy or other CAM methods.