generalized anxiety disorder
If you experience persistent anxiety symptoms, it is possible to seek help. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves therapy and medication.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to treat anxiety, such as benzodiazepines or modern antidepressants. SSRIs, such as Lexapro and Prozac, and SNRIs, like duloxetine and Venlafaxine are a few examples. Your therapist could also teach you techniques to help reduce anxiety symptoms, such as confronting negative thoughts or exposure therapy.
Medications
Medication is one method to treat anxiety disorders and reduce the need for psychotherapy. However, they're not for everyone and there are other options, too. Exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress without the necessity of medication. If you're taking medication to manage anxiety, be sure to adhere to the prescribed dosages as well as make sure you attend your therapy appointments.
Antidepressants are frequently prescribed by doctors to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. The drugs can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to start working. They correct an imbalance in brain chemicals. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most popular antidepressants that treat anxiety. Drugs such as Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) work by impacting neurotransmitters involved in mood. Other medications, for instance SNRIs, such as Effexor(venlafaxine) or Cymbalta(duloxetine) can be prescribed for depression and anxiety.
If SSRIs aren't working, doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. These tranquilizers act by targeting GABA (gamma-aminobutyric Acid), a chemical that relaxes the brain. Benzodiazepines are typically found in Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium. They can cause dangerous side effects including addiction and are therefore only recommended for short-term use.
Other medications, like propranolol (approved for treating social anxiety disorders) is a medication that blocks the actions of a chemical known as monoamine oxidase. They do not affect the brain in the same way as benzodiazepines, but they are more efficient. 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
Talk therapy or psychotherapy may be part of the treatment plan for anxiety disorders. There are many types of psychotherapy, and a certified mental health professional can help determine the best one for you. Psychotherapy involves speaking to the therapist and developing skills and techniques together for managing anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can help you overcome anxiety-related thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps you recognize and eliminate unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. It helps you identify specific situations, objects, or people that cause anxiety and learn how to manage. CBT is recommended for many kinds of anxiety disorders.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) is a different type of psychotherapy that may be used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. During this treatment you will lie on a couch, reclined chair, while the therapist guides through the various phases of therapy. This could include looking at an object using your eyes as well as listening to music and reliving a negative memory from your past. EMDR can help to reduce anxiety symptoms and eliminate negative associations.
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 assist you in addressing issues that may be contributing to anxiety.
Exercise
Exercise is a natural stress reliever and has been proven to reduce anxiety. It is also essential for physical health and can improve sleep and sleep patterns, both of which can be affected by anxiety-related disorders. It is an inexpensive treatment that you can perform yourself.
The types of exercises that are most effective vary however, most studies show the efficacy of everything from tai-chi to high intensity interval training. Finding something you enjoy is crucial to increase your chances of taking part and building your resilience. Exercise can also be a break from the day to day and help reduce anxiety. This is especially beneficial for patients who struggle with Distraction Theory, a psychological theory that states that anxious patients tend to withdraw socially and engage in excessive self-talk and worry.
Exercise does not eliminate anxiety, but it can be used in conjunction with other treatments to lessen the severity of symptoms. Exercise and exposure therapy can aid patients overcome their anxiety about flying or driving. Attention training is another powerful method that can help a person control their brain's 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 on the efficacy 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. It is likely to be a part of the future of treatment for anxiety disorders particularly since a lot of doctors offer "exercise on prescription" schemes that offer patients a subsidised training programme at a local gym.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques help reduce anxiety and stress by triggering the body's relaxation reaction that is described as a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. These techniques include meditation deep breathing, guided imagery and biofeedback-assisted relaxation. These methods are the most efficient for a large number of people if they use them regularly.
You can learn these techniques from your mental health professional or a health care professional. They will also provide you the tools you need to practice them independently. Your healthcare team might also recommend joining self-help groups or group therapy. These are great opportunities to meet other people who are experiencing similar issues. Maintaining contact with friends and family regularly exercising and avoiding drinking and using drugs can be helpful in decreasing stress.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders comprises cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT helps you recognize and confront irrational fears and negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Then, you learn to replace these thoughts with more realistic, calm ones. Exposure therapy involves slowly facing situations that trigger anxiety until you can manage them without fear. Typically, you begin with the most threatening situations and work up to more difficult ones.
Other psychological treatments include mindfulness, support groups and hypnosis. These are particularly beneficial when you have co-occurring disorders that contribute to your anxiety, such as addiction or depression. Other helpful habits can be getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. It is essential to engage in regular exercise, as it helps to burn up the stress chemicals that are produced during a stressful period. And it is important to develop strong connections with others, since loneliness and isolation can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating
Anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, like abdominal pain and muscle tension as well as feelings panic. It's normal to be worried or anxious from time to time however, excessive anxiety can lead to feelings of helplessness and a fear that can affect your everyday life. If you're prone to anxiety, acquiring coping techniques and following the guidance of your doctor can assist you in managing your symptoms.
A healthy diet, addition to medication and therapy can help improve your anxiety symptoms. A diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats can help to reduce your stress levels and provide the nutrients your body requires to function properly.
Avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar as they can aggravate anxiety symptoms. Drink plenty of water and other beverages that are not caffeine-based to stay hydrated. A few of the many foods that have been shown to ease anxiety include avocados, bananas, dark chocolate, berries, oysters, and fish. Foods that naturally rich in magnesium, such as leafy green vegetables (spinach and Swiss the chard) as well as pumpkin seeds and legumes, nuts, and whole grains are also excellent choices. Omega-3 fatty acid, which is found in fish like sardines, trout and salmon and walnuts, may aid in reducing anxiety symptoms.
There is a strong connection between eating disorders and anxiety disorders and eating disorders, so it is crucial to seek treatment for both when you suffer from them. Treatment for both disorders is typically best accomplished by combining psychiatric medication with mental health therapy. Talk therapy can help you learn how to deal with negative emotions, and replace them with positive ones. The use of psychiatric medication can alleviate anxiety symptoms and stop their excessive growth.