Anxiety Disorder Help

You should seek help if your experiencing persistent anxiety symptoms. Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes therapy and medication.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to ease anxiety, including benzodiazepines or modern antidepressants. SSRIs include Lexapro and Prozac, and SNRIs, such as duloxetine or venlafaxine are common examples. Your therapist will also teach you strategies to manage anxiety symptoms, such as confronting negative thoughts and exposure therapy.

Medicines

Medication is one method to treat anxiety disorders and reduce the need for psychotherapy. However, they're not suitable for everyone, and there are other options available, too. For example, getting plenty of exercise and making healthy choices in your diet and using relaxation techniques are methods to manage stress that do not require medication. If you're taking medication to manage your anxiety, make sure to adhere to the prescribed dosages as well as attend your therapy appointments.

Doctors often prescribe antidepressants for those suffering from anxiety disorders. These medications fix an imbalance in brain chemicals and can take anywhere from four to six weeks to kick in. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly used antidepressants to treat anxiety. The neurotransmitters that affect mood are impacted by drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Other medications such as SNRIs, like Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine), are also prescribed for both anxiety and depression.

If SSRIs don't work, doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety-related symptoms. They are able to target gamma-aminobutyric acid also known as GABA, a chemical found in the brain that can have the ability to calm. Benzodiazepines can be found in Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium. They can cause dangerous side effects, including addiction, and are usually only prescribed for short-term use.

Other medicines, such as propranolol which is approved for treating social anxiety disorders is a drug that inhibits a chemical called Monoamine Oxidase A. They do not affect the brain the same as benzodiazepines, but they are more effective. Benzodiazepines, SNRIs, and SSRIs are usually reserved for patients who suffer from severe anxiety. SSRIs however can be used to treat a wide range of anxiety disorders.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy can be part of the treatment plan for anxiety disorder. There are many types of psychotherapy, and a certified mental health professional can help you choose the best one for you. Psychotherapy involves talking to the therapist and developing skills and techniques to manage anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps you to learn how to overcome anxiety-related thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps you recognize and stop unhelpful thinking, feelings, and behavior patterns. It helps you recognize situations or objects that trigger anxiety and how to deal with. CBT is recommended for many types anxiety disorders.

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) is a different type of psychotherapy that could be used to treat of anxiety disorders . In this therapy you'll be lying down on a couch or a reclined chair while the counselor guides you through various phases of the therapy which may include following an object through your eyes, listening to music, or reminiscing about a negative experience from your past (for example, being frightened of storms due to someone breaking up with you during a severe storm). EMDR can help you reduce anxiety symptoms and help overcome negative associations.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on improving your relationships and social functioning. While it is not a treatment specifically for anxiety, IPT can help you deal with issues that could contribute to your anxiety, for example underlying depression or substance abuse.

Exercise

Exercise is a natural stress buster and has been shown to ease anxiety. It is also essential for physical health and can improve sleep and sleep patterns, both of which can be affected by anxiety disorders. It is a low-cost treatment that you can do yourself.

The types of exercise that are most effective vary however, most studies show the efficacy of anything from tai chi to high intensity interval training. Finding something you enjoy is crucial because it increases the likelihood of you participating and building your resilience. Exercise is also an effective method to escape the monotony of life and reduce anxiety-related thoughts. 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 a lot of self-talk and worry.

Exercise can't eliminate anxiety, but it can be used in conjunction with other treatments to lessen the severity of symptoms. For example one can pair exposure therapy with exercise to lessen their anxiety about flying or driving. Another method that works is attention training which assists 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.

Exercise isn't the only solution for anxiety however it is an effective treatment. Exercise is likely to play a role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, in particular because many GPs have "exercise on prescription" programs that provide patients with a subsidised training program at a local gymnasium.

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques help to reduce stress and anxiety by eliciting the body's relaxation response which is evident by a decrease in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Meditation guided imagery, guided breathing and biofeedback assisted relaxation are the most common examples of these techniques. These techniques are the most effective for many people when they regularly practice them.

You can learn these techniques from an expert in mental health or health care provider. They can also give you the tools you need to apply them at your own pace. Your healthcare provider can suggest that you participate in group therapy and self-help groups, which are beneficial to meet other people with similar issues. Staying in touch with family and friends as well as exercising regularly and staying clear of alcohol and other drugs can be helpful in reducing stress.

Psychotherapy for anxiety disorder s consists of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT helps you identify and confront the irrational fear and negative thoughts that cause anxiety. You then learn to replace these thoughts with more rational, calm ones. Exposure therapy is the process of gradually confronting situations that cause anxiety until you can handle the anxiety without anxiety. The typical approach is to begin with less frightening situations and progress to more challenging ones.

Other psychological treatments for anxiety include mindfulness, hypnosis and support groups. These therapies can be particularly helpful if you suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and addiction to drugs. Getting enough sleep and eating well are other helpful habits that can help alleviate your symptoms. It is essential to engage in regular exercise because it helps in burning off the stress chemicals that are created during stressful times. It is also important to develop strong connections with other people, because loneliness and isolation can increase anxiety symptoms.


Healthy eating

Anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms and behaviors, including muscle tension, abdominal distress and feelings of panic. It's normal to worry or feel anxious occasionally, but excessive anxiety can lead to feelings of helplessness and fear that can interfere with your daily life. If you are prone to anxiety, acquiring strategies for managing anxiety and following the guidance of your physician can help you manage your symptoms.

In addition to medication and therapy, eating healthy food can aid in the reduction of symptoms of anxiety. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates, as well as lean proteins, and healthy fats can help reduce stress levels and provide the nutrients your body requires to function optimally.

It is important to avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar and fat, as they can worsen anxiety symptoms. Drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated beverages to keep well-hydrated. Avocados, bananas, and dark chocolate are only a few of the food items that can reduce anxiety. Green leafy vegetables, like swiss-chard and spinach, pumpkin seeds, beans and nuts, as well as whole grains, are all good sources of magnesium. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in various fish species such as salmon, trout, sardines, and walnuts can also help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.

There is a strong link between eating disorders and anxiety disorders, and it is important to seek treatment for both conditions in the event that you are suffering from them. A combination of psychiatric medication and psychotherapy is usually the most effective method of treatment for both disorders. Talk therapy can help you discover how to deal effectively with negative emotions, and then replace them with positive ones. Psychotherapeutic medications can alleviate anxiety symptoms and stop their excessive growth.