Treating Anxiety

The treatment of anxiety in elderly treatment usually involves psychological counseling, which includes psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify the destructive thoughts that lead to anxiety and troubling feelings.

Medicines can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, including shaking and rapid heartbeat. It is crucial to consult with your health care provider to determine the best treatment for anxiety attacks medication and dosage.

Medicines

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. It can prevent us from sleeping, but there are solutions that can help. The use of medication can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms and allow you to live your life, while addressing any underlying causes. Combining medications and therapy can be even more effective on your mood and increase your quality of life.

Antidepressants can treat the root of anxiety by increasing levels of chemicals in your brain that create a sense of calm. The most common kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which block neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin and boost the amount available, making it easier to feel calmer. These are medications such as Celexa Lexapro Paxil and Zoloft. Other types of antidepressants that could be used to treat anxiety are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam), work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms by activating the brain's receptors to create a calming effect. They are effective in treating anxiety however, they can become addictive if taken for more than four weeks. They also do not work well over time.

Other antianxiety medications like quetiapine, buspirone and clonidine decrease the amount of stress hormone in your body. They do this by blocking receptors inside the brain. The most common adverse effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. There are also people who experience nausea, diarrhea constipation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants or SSRIs.

Other antianxiety medicines like melatonin or phenytoin act as sedatives and reduce the activity of specific brain neurons, which reduces anxiety. Antihistamines also help combat anxiety. They can reduce the itching that is caused by allergies, and make you feel more relaxed.

Other forms of medication that can be used to lower anxiety are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as moclobemide and Tetracycline. They are typically used after other treatments have failed. Some doctors can prescribe prescription medications off-label, which have been shown to decrease anxiety during clinical trials, but they are not licensed.

Psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders can be relieved by psychotherapy, or talk therapy with an expert in mental health. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. In addition to helping with the underlying cause of the anxiety, the therapist will provide assistance and support. The physical presence of the therapist is crucial for those suffering from anxiety; it stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and provides a sense of safety to the patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically the best option for treating anxiety in Elderly treatment. This method helps you develop specific techniques to help you manage your anxieties and gradually return you to activities that you've avoided because of anxiety. This involves exposure therapy, in which you gradually encounter the thing or event that triggers your anxiety so you can be able to manage it and overcome your fears.

Psychotherapy gives you a better understanding of why you are so anxious and how your imagination can make you believe that dangers are not real. The therapist will also teach you the physiological basis that triggers the body's "fight-or-flight" response and the reasons it could be triggered by situations that are usually harmless.

The therapy is usually done in a series of sessions lasting one hour each. Patients are often given assignments to complete between sessions. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. It is possible to try several before you find a therapist you are comfortable with.

Self-help methods can be beneficial as an adjunct to psychotherapy, such as meditation, relaxation exercises and breathing techniques. You can lessen the effects of anxiety by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. You can also avoid nicotine and caffeine. Humor is a fantastic stress reliever. You can try to include more laughter into your daily life. Finally, if you have an acute anxiety episode that threatens your safety or the safety of others, consult your physician for emergency anxiolytic treatment, usually with a benzodiazepine. This type of treatment is not often needed however it can be extremely efficient. The use of medication does not replace psychotherapy, but can be beneficial in certain instances.

Lifestyle changes

Alongside psychotherapy and medication, there are a number of lifestyle changes that could assist people suffering from anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, ensuring enough sleep, and employing relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Regular exercise is a great method to lower stress levels and improve your mood. It has also been proven that it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and self-reported mood. It can be challenging to find an exercise routine that is right for you, however even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial.

Regular, moderately graded exercise was also found to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Although the mechanism behind it is undetermined however, it is believed that exercise alters brain chemistry by modulating 5-HT neurotransmitters within the dorsal raphe nucleus and decreasing the circulating levels of cortisol stress hormone.

It has been established that acupuncture, massage and other CAM treatments can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Evidence is limited, and poor methodology is often to blame. While there are a few studies that show promising results, the majority of these therapies do not have the level of clinical proof required for doctors to recommend them as an alternative.

Moreover, the relationship between food and anxiety is complex. In fact, certain foods can trigger anxiety symptoms. For instance, highly palatable and fatty foods promote the production of reactive oxygen species in the brain, which can create or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Dietary improvement, specifically the reduction of nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, has been proven to be effective in reducing anxiety, although further research is required, such as programs for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, as well as controlled prospective studies.

It has been proven that other supplements in the diet like omega-3 fish oils, can reduce anxiety. Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids supplements can reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals and enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. Other changes in diet that could be beneficial for anxiety include increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables, incorporating whole grains and avoiding processed food.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

While herbal remedies and dietary supplements have been extensively used for centuries in certain parts of the world for relieving anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and safety of these natural remedies has only recently been tested in rigorous clinical trials. The dietary supplement ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an herb from the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian medicine, has been found to be particularly effective in managing anxiety and stress. Amino acid precursors l-tryptophan and L-lysine are also believed to reduce anxiety symptoms through influencing neurotransmitters that play a role in the stress response.

Many people suffering from anxiety experience a broad variety of symptoms. These symptoms may range from a brief feeling of nervousness or worry before surgery or menstruation, to the more persistent feelings of anxiety and unease which are associated with more serious anxiety treatment disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (panic disorder) and social fears. The symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and include headaches, trembling, sweating, muscle tightness and difficulty sleeping.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy is a proven treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that teaches patients to be aware and respond to the thoughts and behaviors contributing to anxiety in a different way. In combination with medications CBT can help treat anxiety and reduce associated symptoms like depression and fatigue.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring are also known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These fatty acid that are found in fish like mackerel, salmon, and herring, have been known to improve heart health and also boost the health of the brain. Flaxseeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.

It is important to remember that dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs are, so there is a chance that some products may be contaminated with other substances or have side effects that could be harmful. Consult your doctor if you're considering using dietary or herbal supplements to treat anxiety. They can offer information on the possible interactions between the herbal supplements and other medications you may be taking and dosage recommendations.