How To Treat Anxiety

Archived in the category: Anxiety
Posted by Jack on 12 May 08 - 0 Comments

There are several ways to treat anxiety. If no physical symptoms are found, the patient may be treated by psychiatrist only. The treatment basically includes medications along with psychotherapy, relaxation techniques and/or cognitive behavioral therapies.

Psychotherapy is not favored unless charaterological problems exist also. When the anxiety is severe the psychotherapy is given in combination to drug therapy.

Relaxation techniques are very useful techniques in patients with mild or moderate anxiety. The techniques include Jacobson’s progressive relaxation technique, yoga, pranayama, self-hypnosis and meditation.

Medications for general anxiety disorder are benzodiazepines and for panic disorder anti-depressants are advised.

Here are some simple ways to prevent or limit anxiety:

  • Reduce intake of caffeine or caffeine containing substances.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Eat a healthy diet.

The Basics Of Anxiety

Archived in the category: Anxiety
Posted by Jack on 09 May 08 - 0 Comments

Anxiety is a common symptom in psychiatric disorders. It is a process characterized by excessive apprehension or unease arising out of anticipation of danger. This phenomenon of anxiety causes stress which may result in significant impairment of normal functions of life. When it becomes pathological medical interventions may be required.

The symptoms of anxiety include: tremors, restlessness, muscle twitches, facial expressions of fear, palpitations, tachycardia, sweating, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, and diarrhea. Other symptoms include poor concentration, unrealistic view of a condition, depersonalization, hyper-arousal, vigilance, distractibility, fearfulness, irritability, and insomnia.

Psychiatrists classify anxiety into two main types: general anxiety disorder and panic disorder. When symptoms of anxiety last for more then 6 months a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is considered. Panic disorder is typically characterized by discrete episodes of acute anxiety. There may or may not be underlying GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). The episode is usually sudden in onset, lasts for a few minutes and is characterized by very severe anxiety.