Selecting the Right Anxiety Treatment
There are several options for anxiety treatment. A treatment may consist of behavioral therapy, dietary change, medication and nutritional supplementation. Sufferers of anxiety disorders are often referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist if their disorder does not involve an underlying physical illness. They add that medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually combined to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Below are common anxiety treatments for people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and other anxiety difficulties.
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves a patient working with a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist to explore the psychological causes of panic attacks in the patient. This involves identifying the thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions that may be the underlying cause for the patient’s irrational or inappropriate response to a situation.
2. Medication. Some prescription medicines have been proven to help in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety disorders. The type of prescription drug and its dosage will depend on the case of an individual. Benzodiazepines are the most common drugs prescribed for anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines have a tranquilizing effect and include drugs such as Valium, BuSpar, Xanax and Librium.
3. Prescribing Antidepressants. Depression often accompanies anxiety disorders. Treating the symptoms of depression can help solve most effects of anxiety disorder in some cases. Antidepressants, such as Paxil and Effexor, help reduce stress and enhance the disposition of a person.
4. Changes in Lifestyle. A change in lifestyle is sometimes needed to alleviate most effects of anxiety disorder. Chronic stress can be avoided by doing cardiovascular exercise routines such as yoga, pilates, and tai chi. These exercises improve oxygen and blood circulation and help a person relax. Practicing meditation regularly is another effective relaxation method.
5. Nutritional Supplementation. People having trouble sleeping or calming down may take nutritional supplements such as chamomile, lavender and valerian extract. These supplements are known to help a person relax and help a person sleep naturally. These supplements are most suited for people with mild anxiety disorder symptoms and who only experience brief episodes of anxiety attacks.
6. Dietary changes. Food plays a role in amplifying or diminishing the risk of panic attacks. Sugary foods may enhance the symptoms of anxiety because it increases our heart rate and stimulate our nerves due to a sharp increase in energy. A person with anxiety disorder is advised to eat foods with a calming effect such as milk, lentils, oats and yogurt. This type of treatment often involves making minor dietary changes on a regular basis. Healthy foods actually reduce the risk of panic attacks since they keep our bodies energy levels stable.
It is important to explore available treatment possibilities to eliminate the symptoms of anxiety disorders It is important for a person afflicted with panic disorder to work with a mental health professional in crafting a suitable treatment plan for immediate and long-lasting results.