3 Common Anxiety Treatment Options

Health & Medical Blog

Anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and starts to interfere with your daily life, it may be time to seek treatment.

Here are three common anxiety treatments that can help you feel better and regain control of your life.

Medication

Many people experience occasional anxiety, but for some, it is a chronic condition that can interfere with their daily lives. While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, they all share one common symptom: persistent and intrusive worry. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available, including medication.

Anti-anxiety medications reduce anxiety symptoms, such as racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. They can also help improve sleep and reduce feelings of tense muscles.

There are different types of anti-anxiety medication available, including antidepressant medication. Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety because they help improve mood and relieve anxiety symptoms.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant often prescribed for anxiety. SSRIs increase serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in anxiety and depression.

Antihistamines are another type of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They block the action of histamine, a substance in the body that is released during an allergic reaction. Histamine can also cause anxiety-like symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and sweating.

In some cases, medication may be combined with other treatments such as therapy to be most effective.

Therapy

When most people think of therapy, they imagine lying on a couch and talking about their childhood. While this type of therapy (called psychoanalysis) can be helpful for some people, it is not the only effective therapy for treating anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, is a highly effective treatment that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. This therapy typically involves regular sessions with a therapist, homework assignments, and practice in between sessions.

With cognitive-behavioral therapy, people with anxiety can learn how to manage their symptoms and live a full and productive life.

Exercise

For many people, anxiety is a daily battle. Though many treatment options are available, exercise is an accessible and effective way to combat anxiety.

Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. It also helps reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, and can increase serotonin levels (the happy hormone). Even moderate exercise can have a positive impact on anxiety.

Aerobic exercise is particularly helpful because it gets your heart rate up and can help reduce anxiety symptoms. But any type of exercise from yoga to weightlifting can be beneficial.

If you need a distraction from anxious thoughts, exercise can also provide a much-needed distraction. When anxiety feels overwhelming, take a step back and go for a walk, run, or bike ride. These activities can help refocus your mind on positive goals. 

For more information, reach out to a company such as BrainCore Therapy of Louisville.

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15 June 2022

Take Your Health Into Your Own Hands

My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.