Treating Anxiety

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is the normal feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear we feel in response to stressful or dangerous situations. Physiologically, blood pressure and heart rate increase, sweating increases, as does blood flow to major muscle groups. Immune and digestive functions are suppressed. Anxiety stimulates us to act, and is a protective mechanism designed to prevent us from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors. However, a chronically recurring case of anxiety that takes over a person’s life is considered an anxiety disorder.

The most common forms of anxiety disorder are generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is a long-term disorder where you feel anxious more often than not. A panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks. The fear and distress is severe, and can be temporarily debilitating. Social anxiety disorder is combination of social phobia and agoraphobia. Social anxiety is brought on by meeting other people, and characterized by a preoccupation with what others think of you. Agoraphobia, is a fear as crowds and public places, and is frequently associated with panic disorder. A phobia is a fear that is disproportionate to the real danger posed by its trigger, and is so extreme that it can interfere with normal life. Common specific phobias are fear of heights, spiders, mice, blood, injections, or enclosed space (claustrophobia). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (also known as OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, such as cleaning, checking, counting, or hoarding. It is important to remember that if you recognize any of the anxiety symptoms mentioned below, you should consult your doctor before embarking on any course of treatment for anxiety. Physical anxiety symptoms can include: * abdominal discomfort * diarrhea * dry mouth * tightness or pain in chest * shortness of breath * dizziness * frequent urination * difficulty swallowing * shaking Psychological anxiety symptoms can include: * insomnia * constant uneasiness * fatigue * irritability, and quickness to anger * inability to concentrate * a fear that you are going crazy * feeling of detachment from your surroundings, and loss of control Anxiety disorders can be a symptom of underlying mental illness, physical illness, or drug use. The first step to diagnosing chronic anxiety is to determine if it is a result of physical or psychiatric illness. Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms, and carry out a physical examination. If the anxiety is a result of mental illness, then you will be referred to a psychiatrist for further help.

Anxiety and Depression Treatment

There are a variety of treatments for anxiety disorders including self help and many of counseling options. Self help is the use of relaxation techniques, exercise, or support groups to improve symptoms of anxiety. Counseling involves speaking with a counselor or therapist about your problem, and working together towards identifying possible solutions, and meeting goals. There are several types of counseling available. Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) is a form of psychotherapy carried out by a specially trained therapist. It combines cognitive and behavioral therapies to treat some anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Cognitive therapy involves evaluating the reasoning behind your thinking, and is based on the idea that abnormal thinking results in abnormal reactions. Behavioral therapy focuses on changing problem behavior. Gradual exposure to the situation that causes anxiety is often employed in treatment. You also can be prescribed anxiety medicine to help ease your symptoms. Tranquilizers (e.g., buspirone) can help relieve some short-term stress-related anxieties. However they are rarely prescribed as long-term use can lead to addiction. Buspirone is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. It is not considered addictive.

Anxiety and Depression

Antidepressants are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, OCD, and depression from anxiety. Beta-blockers can relieve many of the physical symptoms of anxiety. They have no affect on psychological symptoms, but some patients find that alleviating physical symptoms helps them relax.