Anxiety Disorder Help
If you have persistent anxiety symptoms, it is possible to seek assistance. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication and therapy.
You might be prescribed benzodiazepines or modern antidepressants, to alleviate anxiety. SSRIs (like Lexapro and Prozac) and SNRIs (like duloxetine and venlafaxine) are typical examples. Your therapist may also teach you techniques to reduce anxiety symptoms, like confronting negative thoughts or exposure therapy.
Medicines
Medication is one method to treat anxiety disorders and can reduce the need for psychotherapy. They're not for everyone, and there are also other alternatives. For instance, getting plenty of exercise, focus on healthy eating, and using relaxation techniques are methods to manage stress that don't require medications. But if you are taking medication to manage your anxiety, you need to stick with the dosages and keep your appointments for therapy.
Doctors often prescribe antidepressants for people with anxiety disorders. These drugs help to correct an imbalance in brain chemicals and can take four to six weeks to begin working. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly used antidepressants to treat anxiety. The medications such as Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) operate by altering neurotransmitters in mood. Other medications, such as SNRIs, for instance Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) are also prescribed to treat anxiety and depression.
If SSRIs don't work doctors might prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety symptoms. These tranquilizers act by targeting GABA (gamma-aminobutyric Acid), a chemical that helps calm the brain. Common benzodiazepines include Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). They can cause serious side effects including addiction and are therefore only recommended for short-term usage.
Other medications, such as propranolol (approved for treating social anxiety disorders) is a medication that blocks the actions of a chemical referred to as monoamine oxidase A. They do not affect the brain in the same manner as benzodiazepines do, but they are more effective and do not suffer from the same adverse effects. Benzodiazepines as well as SNRIs and SSRIs are usually reserved for patients who suffer from severe anxiety. SSRIs however can be used to treat a broad range of anxiety disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can be a component of the treatment plan for anxiety disorders. There are a variety of psychotherapy, and a certified mental health professional can help determine the best one for you. Psychotherapy involves talking to the therapist and developing skills and techniques together to manage anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps you learn to challenge anxiety-related thoughts and behaviours. CBT helps you recognize and eliminate unhelpful thoughts, feeling, and acting patterns. It helps you recognize situations or objects who trigger anxiety and teach you how to deal with. CBT is recommended for many types anxiety disorders.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) is a different type of psychotherapy that can be utilized in the treatment of anxiety disorders . During this treatment you'll lie down on a couch or recline in a chair while a therapist guides you through different stages of the therapy which could involve looking at an object by using your eyes or listening to music or recalling a negative association from your past (for instance, being scared of thunderstorms because someone broke up with you in a terrible storm). EMDR can assist you in overcoming these negative associations, and help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving your relationships and social functioning. IPT is not a cure for anxiety but it can help you deal with problems that can contribute to anxiety.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to ease anxiety and stress. It is also essential for physical health and can improve sleep and sleep patterns, both of which can be affected by anxiety disorder s. It is an inexpensive treatment that you can perform yourself.
The types of exercises that work best vary but the majority of studies show the efficacy of everything from tai-chi to high-intensity interval training. Finding something you enjoy is crucial because it increases the likelihood of you participating and building your resilience. Exercise can also be an excellent way to get away from the everyday grind and decrease anxiety-related thoughts. This is especially helpful for patients who are struggling to cope with the Distraction Theory. According to this psychological theory, patients who are anxious tend not to engage in social interactions and are more likely to engage in excessive self talk and worry.
Exercise can't eliminate anxiety, but it can be combined in conjunction with other treatments to lessen the severity of symptoms. For instance patients can combine exposure therapy with exercise to lessen their anxiety about flying or driving. Attention training is a different method to help people control their brain waves. During a series of sessions with a certified therapist, the patient watches their own brain waves on an electroencephalograph monitor and teaches themselves to achieve a more relaxed state at will.
Exercise isn't a panacea for anxiety however it can be an effective treatment. Exercise is likely to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly because a lot of GPs have "exercise on a prescription" schemes that provide patients with a subsidised training program at a local gymnasium.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques help to reduce stress and anxiety by eliciting the body's relaxation response which is characterized by a decrease in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. These techniques include meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery and biofeedback-assisted relaxation. These techniques are the most effective for many people when they regularly practice them.
A health care provider or mental health professional can show you these techniques and give you the tools to practice them on your own. Your health care team may encourage you to join group therapy or self-help groups. These are excellent places to connect with others who are experiencing similar issues. Stress can be decreased by keeping in touch with your family and friends and exercising regularly, while avoiding alcohol or drugs.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders comprises cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT helps you recognize and confront the negative thoughts and fears that trigger anxiety. Then, you can replace them with more realistic and calming thoughts. Exposure therapy involves slowly dealing with situations that trigger anxiety until you are able to manage the situation without fear. You usually start with the less frightening situations and progress to more challenging ones.
Other psychological treatments include mindfulness, support groups, and hypnosis. These therapies can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from co-occurring issues, such as depression and substance abuse. Other beneficial habits include getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Regular exercise is important as it helps burn up stress-related chemicals that are produced during stressful times. It is essential to establish strong relationships with other people, because loneliness and isolation can increase anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating
Anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms and behavior, including abdominal discomfort, muscle tension and panic-like feelings. While it is normal to worry and feel anxious at times, extreme anxiety can result in an overwhelming feeling of despair and fear that can hinder your daily activities. If you're susceptible to anxiety, learning techniques to cope and following the advice of your physician can assist you in managing your symptoms.
In addition to medications and therapy, a healthy diet can aid in the reduction of symptoms of anxiety. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates can help reduce stress and provide your body with the nutrients it requires to function properly.
Avoid eating foods high in sugar or fat as they can aggravate anxiety symptoms. You should also drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated drinks to keep hydrated. Avocados, bananas and dark chocolate are only a few of the food items that can ease anxiety. Leafy green vegetables, like swiss-chard or spinach, pumpkin seeds, beans and nuts, as well a variety of whole grains are all great sources of magnesium. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in a variety of fish like trout, salmon, walnuts, and sardines. They can also help reduce your anxiety symptoms.
It is essential to seek treatment if you suffer from both anxiety disorders and eating disorders. A combination of psychiatric medications and psychotherapy is usually the most effective method of treatment for both disorders. Talk therapy can help you learn how to deal with your negative emotions and replace them with more positive ones while psychiatric medications can help to reduce anxiety symptoms and prevent them from getting out of control.