What is the Best Treatment For Anxiety?
Anxiety can be addressed with therapy, natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy are more effective in treating anxiety disorders than prescription medications over the long-term.
The use of medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines (like diazepam and alprazolam) can help with anxiety, but they should be used short-term to prevent dependence. Talk to your doctor to determine which treatments are the best for you.
Medicines
The use of medications is one of the tools used by psychiatrists to treat anxiety, along with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. A variety of medications can help you feel more calm. They include SSRI antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Your doctor will suggest the right medication based on your medical history, diagnosis, goals, symptoms and tolerance.
SSRIs are typically the first anti-anxiety medications doctors prescribe. They work by altering serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for mood and sleep. It could take some time before they begin to work but once they do, anxiety will ease for a long period of time. SSRIs are widely used, including sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine(Prozac)and citalopram(Celexa).
If you don't respond to SSRIs your doctor may suggest alternatives including benzodiazepines and beta blockers. Benzodiazepines can help reduce anxiety by encouraging relaxation of muscles and the activity of brain cells. They are typically used for short-term use to manage symptoms that are immediate and are addictive. The most common benzodiazepines include lorazepam diazepam and clonazepam.
Beta blockers reduce blood pressure and heartbeat and are typically prescribed to patients who suffer from heart problems. However, they can be useful for people suffering from anxiety as well, particularly if the anxiety is related to a heartbeat that is fast. Propranolol, for example, is beta-blocker.
In certain situations doctors might prescribe mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant to treat both depression and anxiety. This medication can cause dry mouth, weight gain and sedation.
You can also include natural remedies and dietary modifications in your treatment plan. Avoid foods known to trigger or increase anxiety, like caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Instead be focused on eating well and taking plenty of rest. Meditation, yoga or tai-chi have all been shown to reduce anxiety and stress.
Support groups for anxiety can be helpful, and therapies like cognitive behavior therapy can teach you to manage your thoughts and feelings and conquer your fears. Psychotherapy focused on trauma and EMDR therapy are other evidence-based approaches which can help you deal with anxiety. Finding a mental healthcare provider you can trust to reduce your symptoms is the most important thing.
Natural Remedies
Everyone is prone to anxiety from time the. However, anxiety can turn into problematic if it is experienced on a regular basis and becomes a problem in your health or daily routine. If you're experiencing anxiety on a regular basis, it's worth reaching out to an expert in mental health to seek help.
There are a variety of natural remedies that can help to reduce anxiety symptoms. Here are a few options to think about:
1. Exercise: Stretching, or jumping Jacks can help you feel more calm. Moving releases endorphins that are a collective 'happy hormone' that helps to reduce stress. Try a little exercise every day.
2. Essential Oils. According to a study published in the journal Phytomedicine Inhaling the aroma of diluted oils, such as lavender or other calming oils can be calming. There are calming oils in many types, such as inhalers, oils to apply on your skin, or herbal teas.
3. Limiting Caffeine or Alcohol Caffeine and alcohol can worsen anxiety due to the fact that they can cause anxiety or raise heart rate. It could also lead to insomnia, which can further contribute to anxiety.
4. Nutrition: A healthy diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and other nutrients can help you manage your anxiety as well as other health issues. Begin by incorporating fish, chia seeds and walnuts into your diet.
5. Meditation: Meditating can improve your mood and ease anxiety. However, it is crucial to partner with a professional with experience to get the best results. It's also important to find a quiet space without distractions so that you can concentrate on your breathing.
6. Supplements: Certain herbs, like Ashwagandha, may help lower the cortisol levels in your body. This hormone could be the main reason for anxiety. Consult your physician about incorporating these into your treatment plan.
FDA-approved medications for anxiety disorders can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. They include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like citalopram, Escitalopram, and fluoxetine; SNRRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) like mirtazapine and paroxetine, and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) such as clomipramine and tofranil.
Therapy
Everyone experiences anxiety at times and that's a great thing - it's the brain's way of alerting you to potential danger. However, those with anxiety disorders have a high level of worry and tension that can affect their daily routine. Psychotherapy and medication are used to treat anxiety.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy or cognitive behavior therapy, is the most common form of treatment for anxiety disorders. This kind of therapy teaches you to identify the thought patterns that trigger anxiety and then work to change the way you think about them. This is a short-term therapy and many people notice improvements in their symptoms after a few sessions.
Psychotherapy is used to treat anxiety in a variety of different ways. Examples include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Hypnotherapy. Your therapist can help you determine the most effective therapy for your needs and diagnosis.
Many anxiety disorders are linked with chemical imbalances in the brain. Antidepressant medications can help control these imbalances. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters) such as citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Serotonin-related narcotics, also known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are effective in managing anxiety disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as mirtazapine and Tofranil (Remeron) can also be helpful.
These medications are usually prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapy to lessen the severity of anxiety symptoms and make them more responsive to other treatments. Beta-blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure and reduce physical anxiety symptoms such as a rapid pulse or shaking. Benzodiazepines are able to calm nerves and assist in treating anxiety attacks. Anticonvulsants, such as low doses of the ones used to prevent seizures in epilepsy can ease the tingling and trembling that are common to anxiety disorders.
Natural remedies and lifestyle changes can complement anxiety treatments by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. Exercise is an excellent anxiety reliever, and it's recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A regular diet of healthy food and taking enough rest can also help to reduce anxiety. You can also try herbal remedies and nutritional supplements to help reduce anxiety. Talk to your doctor first to confirm that these treatments are safe for you.
Lifestyle Changes
Every person experiences moments of fear or anxiety, but when they get out of control and cause disruption to your everyday life, you could suffer from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are treated using medication, therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Antidepressants and other benzodiazepines are most common medications used 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 a variety of medications until you find one that works. Antidepressants take some time to take effect and you might need to be patient when you first start them.
Counseling, or talk therapy in general is a proven treatment of anxiety. This includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). You can find licensed therapists through local mental health clinics or online platforms that allow you to access mental health services from the convenience of your own home. These options offer a range of advantages that traditional in-person therapy does not offer, including flexibility and affordability.
Lifestyle changes, like cutting down on alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can help reduce anxiety. Exercise helps to burn stress chemicals, relax you and aids in getting the ability to sleep well. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. A healthy diet with various fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can also reduce anxiety. Avoid substances that can cause anxiety or make it worse, such as marijuana, caffeine and illegal drugs.
You can also lower anxiety by practicing exposure therapy. This technique involves gradually exposing you to situations or objects which you are afraid of, using relaxation techniques and coping statement. When you are at a point of readiness take on the challenge of staying in the dreadful situation for longer periods of time. Once you have done this, you will realize that your fears might not be as real as you believe.
herbal treatment for anxiety can improve your overall quality of life, for example, learning to recognize and manage negative emotions or taking a break when watching, reading, or listening to the news or other items that could trigger anxiety or stress, and joining a community of people who have similar anxiety symptoms.