Anxiety Disorder Help
You can seek help if you are experiencing constant anxiety symptoms. Treatment for anxiety disorder s usually 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 counselor will also teach you strategies to help with anxiety symptoms, like confronting negative thoughts and exposure therapy.
Medicines
Medicines are a type of anxiety disorder treatment which can help ease symptoms and reduce the need for psychotherapy. However, they're not suitable for everyone, and there are other options, too. Healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress without the need for medication. If you're taking medication to control your anxiety, you need to stick with the dosages and keep your appointments for therapy.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by medical professionals to patients with anxiety disorders. The drugs can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to get started. They correct an imbalance in brain chemicals. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly used antidepressants that treat anxiety. The neurotransmitters that influence mood are impacted by drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Other medications, like SNRIs, such as Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine), are also prescribed to treat depression and anxiety.
If SSRIs aren't effective, doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. These are tranquilizers that are able to target gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. Common benzodiazepines include Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). They can have dangerous side effects including addiction and are therefore only recommended for short-term usage.
Other medicines, such as propranolol which is approved for social anxiety disorder works by blocking the monoamine oxidase chemical A. They don't affect the brain the same as benzodiazepines, but they are more effective. Benzodiazepines, SNRIs and SSRIs are typically used for patients who suffer from severe anxiety. SSRIs however can be utilized to treat a wide variety of anxiety disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can be part of an treatment plan to treat anxiety disorders. There are a variety of psychotherapy, and a trained mental health professional can help you choose the best one for you. Psychotherapy involves speaking to a therapist and developing techniques and skills for managing anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can help you overcome anxiety-related thoughts and behavior. CBT teaches you to recognize and stop unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. It also helps you identify the specific events and people or objects that trigger your anxiety and the best way to deal with these triggers. CBT is a treatment that is recommended for a variety of anxiety disorders.
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy which can be used to treat anxiety disorders. In this therapy you'll be lying down on a couch or reclining chair while your psychotherapist guides you through the various phases of the therapy, which could involve looking at an object with your eyes or listening to music or reminiscing about a negative incident from your past (for instance, being scared of storms due to someone breaking up with you in a terrible storm). EMDR can help you reduce anxiety symptoms and eliminate negative associations.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a kind of psychotherapy that is focused on improving your relationships and social functioning. IPT is not a cure for anxiety, but it can help you overcome issues that may be contributing to anxiety.
Exercise
Exercise is a natural stress buster and has been proven to help relieve anxiety. It is also essential for physical health and may improve sleep as well, both of which could be affected by anxiety-related disorders. It is a low-cost treatment that you can perform yourself.
The types of exercises that work best vary however, most studies show the efficacy of everything from tai chi to high intensity interval training. Finding something you enjoy is crucial, as it will increase the likelihood of you participating and building resilience. Exercise is also an effective opportunity to get away from the daily grind and reduce anxiety-related ruminations. This is particularly beneficial for those who struggle to manage the Distraction Theory. According to this psychological theory, anxious patients tend not to engage in social interaction and are more likely to engage in self-talk and worry.
While exercise does not eliminate anxiety but it can be used in combination with other treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms. Exercise and exposure therapy can help a patient overcome their fear of driving or flying. Attention training is a different method to help people manage 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.
The evidence for the effectiveness of exercise as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety is a bit shaky but it's a promising option in the treatment of this incredibly common mental illness. It's likely to be an element of the future of anxiety disorder treatment in particular since many GPs offer "exercise on prescription" schemes which offer patients a subsidised training programme at the local gym.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques aid in reducing anxiety and stress by stimulating 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 most efficient for a large number of people if they use them regularly.
A health care professional or mental health professional can teach you these techniques and give you the tools to practice them on your own. Your healthcare provider can suggest that you participate in self-help groups and group therapy groups, which are beneficial to meet other people with similar issues. Keeping in contact with family and friends regularly exercising and avoiding alcohol and drugs can be helpful in reducing stress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy are two kinds of psychotherapy that treat anxiety disorders. CBT helps you identify and challenge irrational fears and negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Then, you are taught to replace them with more realistic and calming thoughts. Exposure therapy is a process of gradually confronting situations that cause anxiety until you can handle the situation without anxiety. Usually, you begin with the least frightening situations before moving on to more challenging ones.
Other treatments for anxiety that are psychological include mindfulness, hypnosis and support groups. These therapies can be particularly beneficial when you have co-occurring disorders, like depression and addiction to drugs. Other beneficial habits include getting enough sleep and eating healthily. It is essential to engage in regular exercise because it helps in burning off the stress chemicals created during stressful times. And it is important to establish strong relationships with others, as loneliness and isolation can exacerbate your anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating
Anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, such as abdominal pain and muscle tension as well as feeling of panic. While it is normal to be worried and anxious at times, extreme anxiety can lead to an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and anxiety that can hinder your daily activities. If you're prone to anxiety, learning coping techniques and following the guidance of your doctor can aid in managing your symptoms.
In addition to medication and therapy, eating a nutritious diet can also aid in the reduction of anxiety symptoms. A diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats can help reduce stress levels and provide the nutrients your body needs to function properly.
It is important to avoid foods that are high in sugar and fats, as these may worsen your anxiety symptoms. You should also drink plenty of water and other beverages that are not caffeine-based to keep hydrated. Some of the foods that have been shown to ease anxiety are avocados, bananas chocolate and oysters, berries, and fish. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and swiss-chard as well as beans, pumpkin seeds and nuts, as well as whole grains, are all excellent sources of magnesium. Omega-3 fat acid, which can be found in fish like sardines, trout and salmon and walnuts, can also aid in reducing anxiety symptoms.
There is a strong connection between eating disorders and anxiety disorders and eating disorders, and it is essential to seek treatment for both when you suffer from them. A combination of psychiatric medication and psychotherapy is usually the most effective method of treatment for both conditions. Talk therapy can teach you how to manage your negative emotions and replace them with more positive ones while psychiatric medication can help to alleviate anxiety symptoms and prevent them from getting out of control.