Anxiety Disorder Help
If you are experiencing persistent anxiety symptoms, it is possible to seek assistance. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes medication and therapy.
You may be prescribed benzodiazepines or modern antidepressants, to combat anxiety. SSRIs (like Lexapro and Prozac) and SNRIs (like duloxetine and venlafaxine) are typical examples. panic anxiety disorder can teach you methods to help you reduce anxiety symptoms, such as challenging negative thoughts or exposure therapy.
Medicines
Medicines are a type of anxiety disorder treatment that can ease symptoms and decrease the need for psychotherapy. They're not suitable for everyone, and there are many other options. Healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress without the necessity of medication. If you're taking medication to control your anxiety, you need to adhere to the prescribed dosages and keep your therapy appointments.
Antidepressants are usually prescribed by medical professionals to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. They help to correct an imbalance in brain chemicals and can take four to six weeks to begin working. SSRIs are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the kind of antidepressants that are most commonly used to combat anxiety. Drugs like Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) work by altering neurotransmitters in mood. Other medications, like SNRIs, such as Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine), are also prescribed for both depression and anxiety.
If SSRIs don't work doctors can prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety-related symptoms. These tranquilizers target GABA (gamma-aminobutyric Acid) an ingredient that relaxes the brain. The most popular benzodiazepines are Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). They can have dangerous side effects including addiction and are therefore only prescribed for short-term use.
Other medications, such as propranolol, approved for treating social anxiety disorders works by blocking a chemical called Monoamine Oxidase A. They do not affect the brain in the same way as benzodiazepines do, but they are more effective and do not suffer from the same adverse effects. Benzodiazepines, SNRIs, and SSRIs are typically used for patients suffering from severe anxiety. SSRIs however can be used to treat a wide variety of anxiety disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, may be part of a treatment plan for anxiety disorders. There are many types of psychotherapy, and a certified mental health professional can help you choose the best one for you. Psychotherapy focuses on speaking with the therapist about your issues and working together to develop strategies and skills for managing your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy which can help you learn to challenge anxious thoughts and behavior. CBT helps you identify and end unhelpful thinking or feeling patterns. It also helps you identify the specific events such as people, objects or objects that trigger anxiety and how to cope with these triggers. CBT is recommended for many types anxiety disorders.
The EMDR technique is a type of psychotherapy that can be used to treat anxiety disorders. In this therapy, you sit on a couch, reclined chair, as the therapist guides you through the various phases of therapy. It could involve following an object using your eyes or listening to music and recalling a negative memory from your past. EMDR can help reduce anxiety symptoms and help overcome negative associations.
Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on improving relationships and social functioning. Although it's not a treatment specifically for anxiety, IPT can help you deal with issues that could be causing your anxiety, for example underlying depression or substance abuse.
Exercise
Exercise is a natural way to ease anxiety and stress. It is also beneficial for physical health and can help improve sleep as well, both of which could be affected by anxiety-related disorders. It is also an inexpensive treatment that could be able to be done on your own.
The majority of studies have proven that anything from high-intensity interval training to tai-chi is efficient. Finding something that you enjoy is key, as it will increase your chances of participating and building resilience. Exercise can also be a break from the routine of life and reduce anxiety. This is particularly helpful for patients who struggle with Distraction Theory, a psychological theory that suggests that anxious patients tend to avoid social interaction and engage in a lot of self-talk and worry.
While exercise does not eliminate anxiety however, it can be utilized in combination with other treatments to decrease the severity of symptoms. For example one can pair exposure therapy with exercise to reduce their fear of flying or driving. Another effective method is attention training, which helps a person learn to control their brain wave activity. 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 standalone treatment for anxiety is not conclusive but it's an option that is promising in the treatment of this incredibly common mental illness. Exercise is likely to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, in particular because many GPs have "exercise on prescription" programs which provide patients with a subsidised training program at the local gym.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques can reduce stress and anxiety through the body's relaxation reaction which is defined as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These practices include meditation deep breathing, guided imagery, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Many people find that these techniques are most efficient when they practice them regularly.
A health care provider or mental health professional can show you these techniques, and give you the tools needed to practice them on your own. Your health care provider may recommend joining self-help or group therapy groups. These are excellent places to meet others with similar struggles. Maintaining contact with family and friends, exercising daily and avoiding drinking and using drugs can be helpful in alleviating stress.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders comprises cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT helps you recognize and confront the negative thoughts and fears that cause anxiety. Then, you can replace them with more rational and calm thoughts. Exposure therapy involves slowly confronting situations that cause anxiety until you are able to manage the anxiety without anxiety. Typically, you begin with the most frightening situations and work up to more challenging ones.
Other psychological treatments include mindfulness, support groups and hypnosis. They can be especially beneficial in the event of co-occurring issues that contribute to your anxiety, such as depression or addiction to substances. Other beneficial habits include getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Regular exercise is essential because it helps in the burning of stress-related chemicals that are produced during stressful times. It is essential to build strong bonds with others, since loneliness and isolation can worsen your anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating habits
Anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle tension, and feelings panic. It's normal to be worried or anxious occasionally but anxiety that is excessive can create a sense of helplessness and a fear that can interfere with your daily routine. If you suffer from anxiety, you can manage your symptoms by developing techniques for managing anxiety and following the advice of your physician.
In addition to medication and therapy, eating a healthy diet can aid in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats will help to reduce your stress levels and supply the nutrients your body requires to function optimally.
Avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar since they can worsen anxiety symptoms. To remain hydrated, drink plenty of water and non-caffeinated drinks. A few of the foods that have been proven to ease anxiety are avocados, bananas, dark chocolate and oysters, berries, and fish. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and swiss-chard, pumpkin seeds, beans, nuts and whole grains, are all good sources of magnesium. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in many fish species such as salmon, trout, walnuts, and sardines. They can also help to alleviate your anxiety symptoms.
It is important to seek treatment for anxiety disorders as well as eating disorders. A combination of psychiatric drugs and mental health therapy is often the most effective method of treatment for both conditions. Talk therapy can help you learn how to deal with your negative emotions and replace them with positive ones, and psychiatric medications can assist to ease your anxiety symptoms and prevent them from getting out of control.