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Medications and Complementary Therapies to Treat Anxiety Everyone worries and feels fearful at times, but those who suffer from anxiety have a difficult managing their reactions. Psychotherapy can help, as can medications such as beta blockers (used to lower blood pressure) and benzodiazepines. Self-help strategies can help ease symptoms. For instance, exercise can reduce stress and relax the body. Medication If lifestyle changes or psychotherapy don't help your anxiety, medication may be a good option. Anxiety medication reduces anxiety signals and the fight or flight response within the body. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication used to treat anxiety, are antidepressants. They boost levels of certain neurotransmitters which affect mood. Selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and prozac are typically the first drugs prescribed. SNRIs like venlafaxine, duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil (imipramine) Elavil or Pamelor are also effective in treating anxiety. Benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to treat anxiety. They're quick-acting and are extremely beneficial in the short term however they are also addictive and should only be used when other treatments don't work. Typical benzodiazepines include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety however only licensed health care providers can prescribe them. They can be psychologists, psychiatrists doctors of primary care and some OBGYNs. They also need to undergo special training in order to prescribe medications. Exercise and complementary therapies are utilized by some people to help reduce anxiety. They can also find ways to relax and reduce stress such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. Biofeedback can be another beneficial technique, in which a therapist monitors your brain-wave patterns on an electroencephalograph and teaches you how to control them at will. Lastly, natural supplements such as 5-HTP and melatonin may help ease anxiety. However, you should always consult your doctor before taking any supplement for anxiety or other reason. Supplements can be utilized in conjunction with a comprehensive therapy plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and supplements. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) CBT is one of the many psychotherapeutic methods for anxiety disorders that has been thoroughly researched and supported by empirical evidence. IamPsychiatry targets the maladaptive thoughts or behavior patterns that create anxiety. Although different CBT protocols were designed for different anxiety disorders, they all have common goals and strategies for treatment. The first step in CBT is to identify the thoughts that are not working and cause anxiety. In sessions, patients are taught to recognize the negative beliefs they hold and challenge. The therapist also helps patients identify and alter avoidance behaviours. The therapist may request patients to keep “thought journals” or diaries outside of sessions and to implement the behavioural strategies that they've learned in daily life. The goal is to eventually teach patients how to be their own therapists by helping them understand their current patterns in thinking and behavior. This will allow them to remove unfounded fears, lessen their anxiety and other negative feelings and build a stronger resilience. CBT methods include the identification and correction of mental distortions that affect the patient which include overgeneralizing or catastrophizing, as well as minimizing positive events. Therapists also assist the patient in developing strategies for dealing with stressful situations. These techniques can be used to treat any type of anxiety disorders. Often, they are incorporated into a comprehensive approach to mental health called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. Exposure therapy is another element of CBT. Exposure therapy involves exposing the patient's anxious subject or event. This can be done by making up a scenario or imagining the situation or object in real life. A patient with PTSD who is afraid of a specific location, might be encouraged by their physician to visit the site where they were attacked. Alternatively, a person with social anxiety disorder who fears speaking in public might be urged to give a speech in front of a group. Some studies have proven that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT can improve outcomes. However, the results are mixed and further research is required. Combining medication with CBT is usually more effective than either alone. Combinations of CBT and benzodiazepines have been shown to be especially effective in patients suffering from panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Exposure therapy Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments to treat anxiety. It can help you confront things you are afraid of in a safe environment with an expert. It may seem difficult but it will help you understand that your fears aren't justifiable and you can accept your triggers. It can also increase your confidence to face life's challenges. There are many kinds of exposure therapies, such as virtual reality, imaginal therapy and systematic desensitization. For example, if you're nervous about speaking in public your therapist might suggest you to imagine yourself speaking or to practice with an acquaintance. You can then gradually face the issue with your therapist's assistance. Your therapist will monitor your anxiety and panic during each session. They will adjust the intensity of exposure if necessary. During an appointment your therapist will show you to relax and cope with your emotions, before giving you a brief overview of the triggers that cause you fear. This could include techniques such as mindfulness, rhythmic breathing and guided imagery. They will also teach you ways to avoid engaging in the habit that causes anxiety, for example, avoiding elevators. Exposure therapy is typically conducted in a series weekly sessions. Some people require more than two sessions to overcome their anxiety. The first step is to pinpoint the object or situation that triggers anxiety, such as flying on a plane or being in a crowd of strangers. Your therapist will then help you to decide on the method of exposure therapy that fits your needs and personality. This could include using a hierarchical system to determine the order of exposures or practicing relaxation techniques prior to beginning. In vivo therapy involves facing the situation or thing that you are afraid of. It could be as easy as crossing a bridge or having someone else reach out to you. This method can be used to treat specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder. In vivo exposure therapy can be difficult to integrate in your schedule between appointments, so it is important to find a therapist who is skilled in this kind of cognitive therapy for behavioral. You can search for a qualified specialist by checking your local psychological association or the mental health network. It's an excellent idea to look up reviews and ask friends or family members for recommendations. Complementary therapies Complementary therapies encompass a broad range of healthcare treatments not considered to be part of Western medicine. They can help reduce anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. These treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicines, meditation, Yoga massage, music therapy and yoga. They can also help relieve symptoms of depression by lowering levels of stress hormones within your body. Recent research has shown that mindfulness-based programs lead to moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms. This approach employs various types of meditation to help promote mindfulness, or the ability to concentrate on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This type of meditation can be practiced by anyone, and it does not require any special equipment or any special training. However, those with physical limitations might not be able to take part in meditation that requires movement. Other treatments that can help ease anxiety include breathing exercise as well as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) biofeedback, self-hypnosis and hypnosis. These techniques can help you manage your anxiety by focusing on relaxing muscle breathing, calming breathing and visual imagery. They can be used at home, or in a treatment setting. These techniques are often used in combination with other types of therapy, like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals are another way to decrease anxiety. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, which is a hormone that contributes to anxiety. A healthy diet can increase your energy levels which can lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts that can cause anxiety. Your therapist will teach you how to assess your the potential for anxiety and assess their probability of occurring. You can employ strategies such as looking at your fears in relation to past experiences, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an event, and determining whether it is realistic to be worried about a possibility that might occur. Acupuncture is an old Chinese method that can be employed to help with anxiety. It is based on an evaluation of deficiencies and excesses in your energy, called qi, located in specific meridians. A deficiency in the spleen or kidney meridian can trigger anxiety. Certain studies suggest that acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety symptoms when combined with psychotherapy and other CAM methods.