Anxiety Disorder Help
If you have persistent anxiety symptoms, you should seek help. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes 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 counselor will also teach you strategies to manage anxiety-related symptoms, including combating negative thoughts and exposure therapy.
Medications
Medications are one form of anxiety disorder treatment that can ease symptoms and reduce the need for psychotherapy. However, they're not suitable for everyone and there are other options to consider, too. Exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress without the necessity of medication. But if you are taking medication to control your anxiety, you need to adhere to the prescribed dosages and keep your therapy appointments.
Doctors frequently prescribe antidepressants to people with anxiety disorders. These drugs correct an imbalance of brain chemical and can take up to six weeks to kick in. SSRIs also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the type of antidepressants that are most commonly used to treat anxiety. The neurotransmitters that influence mood are impacted by drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Other medications, for instance SNRIs like Effexor(venlafaxine) or Cymbalta(duloxetine) are also able to be prescribed to treat anxiety and depression.
If SSRIs aren't enough doctors might prescribe benzodiazepines in order to reduce anxiety symptoms quickly. They work by targeting gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a chemical found in the brain that can have an calming effect. Common benzodiazepines include 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, like propranolol, approved for social anxiety disorder works by blocking a chemical known as Monoamine Oxidase A. They do not affect the brain in the same way as benzodiazepines do, but they are more effective and don't have the same negative side effects. The benzodiazepines and the SNRIs are usually reserved for people suffering from severe anxiety, whereas SSRIs are able to be used in a variety of anxiety disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy could be part of a treatment plan to treat anxiety disorder. A trained mental health professional will assist you choose the right kind of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy involves talking to an therapist and learning skills and techniques together to manage anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can help you overcome anxiety-related thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps you identify and eliminate unhelpful thoughts, feeling, and acting patterns. It also helps you identify the specific situations and people or objects that trigger anxiety and how to deal with them. CBT is recommended for many types anxiety disorders.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a different type of psychotherapy that may be used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. During this treatment you'll lie on a couch or reclining chair while your therapist guides you through different stages of the therapy which could involve looking at an object through your eyes, listening to music, or recalling a negative association from your past (for instance, being scared of storms because someone broke up with you in a terrible storm). EMDR can help you overcome these negative associations, and help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving your social relationships and functioning. IPT is not a treatment for anxiety, but it can help you overcome issues that can contribute to anxiety.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. It is also important for physical health and may improve sleep as well, both of which could be affected by anxiety-related disorders. It is also an inexpensive treatment that is possible to do on your own.
The types of exercises that work best differ however, most studies point to the effectiveness of everything from tai chi to high-intensity interval training. Finding something you enjoy is key, as it will 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 particularly beneficial for those who struggle to deal with the Distraction Theory. According to this psychological theory, anxious patients tend to avoid social interaction and are more likely to engage in self-talk and worry.
While exercise does not eliminate anxiety, it can be used in conjunction with other treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms. Exercise and exposure therapy can be used to help a patient overcome their fear of driving or flying. Another method that works is to train your attention which assists a person learn to control their brain's 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 regarding the effectiveness of exercise as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety is not conclusive, but it represents an attractive option for treatment of this very frequent mental illness. It's likely to be a part of the future of anxiety disorder treatment in particular since many doctors offer "exercise on prescription" programs that offer patients the opportunity to participate in a training program at a reduced cost at the local gym.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety by eliciting the body's relaxation response which is evident by a decrease in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. These techniques include meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Many people find that these techniques are most effective when they practice them regularly.
A health care professional or mental health professional can teach you these techniques and provide you the tools needed to practice these techniques on your own. Your health care provider may recommend that you participate in group therapy and self-help groups, which are useful for meeting others with similar issues. Maintaining contact with family and friends as well as exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and drugs can be helpful in decreasing stress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy are two types of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. CBT helps you recognize and overcome the irrational fear and negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. Then, you learn to replace these thoughts with more realistic, calm ones. Exposure therapy is a process of gradually facing situations that trigger anxiety until you are able to manage the situation without fear. Usually, you start with the least frightening situations and then move on to more challenging ones.
generalized anxiety disorder include mindfulness, support groups, and hypnosis. These are particularly beneficial if you have co-occurring conditions that contribute to your anxiety, such as addiction or depression. A good night's sleep and eating healthy are other useful habits that can alleviate your symptoms. Regular exercise is important because it helps burn up stress-related chemicals that are produced during stressful periods. It is also essential to develop strong relationships with others since loneliness and isolation could increase anxiety symptoms.
Healthy eating habits
Anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms and behavior that include abdominal discomfort, muscle tension, and feelings of panic. While it is normal to be worried and anxious at times, excessive anxiety can cause an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and anxiety that interferes with daily life. If you are prone to anxiety, learning coping techniques and following the advice of your doctor can help you manage your symptoms.
In addition to medication and therapy, healthy food can help improve your symptoms of anxiety. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats will help reduce stress levels and provide the nutrients your body requires to perform at its best.
Avoid foods high in fat or sugar since they can trigger anxiety symptoms. To stay hydrated, you should consume plenty of water and non-caffeinated drinks. A few of the foods that have been shown to help ease anxiety are avocados, bananas, dark chocolate as well as oysters, berries and fish. Foods that naturally rich in magnesium, such as leafy green vegetables (spinach and swiss chard) as well as pumpkin seeds and legumes, nuts, and whole grains are also beneficial choices. Omega-3 fat acid, which can be found in fish like sardines, trout, and salmon and walnuts, can also help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
It is important to seek treatment if you suffer from both anxiety disorders and eating disorder. Treatment for both disorders is usually best achieved by combining psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. Talk therapy can help you understand how to deal effectively with negative emotions, and replace them with positive ones. Psychotherapeutic medications can alleviate anxiety symptoms and stop their out-of-control growth.