Identifying the symptoms of anxiety disorder is just the first step towards a solution to the problem. Finding a suitable
anxiety treatment
for the patient is the next step. MedicineNet.com explains "if no
physical illness is found, (the patient) may be referred to a
psychiatrist or psychologist who is specially trained to diagnose and
treat mental illnesses". They further add that a combination of
medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy is often done to treat
symptoms of 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.
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.
Antidepressants medication. People with anxiety disorders are also
commonly known to show symptoms of depression. In some cases,
alleviating the depression helps reduce most symptoms of anxiety
disorders. Antidepressents such as Effexor and Paxil can help improve
the mood, reduce tension and make the person feel more balanced.
4. Changes in Lifestyle. Maintaining a regular exercise regimen and
knowing how to handle stress in a healthy way will greatly help a
person overcome the symptoms of anxiety disorder. People under chronic
stress are advised to maintain a regular exercise regimen and
meditation practice. Cardiovascular activities, such as yoga and
pilates, improve blood and oxygen circulation thus making a person feel
centered and more relaxed.
5. Nutritional supplements. For
people who have difficulty sleeping or calming down, nutritional
supplements such as Valerian extract, chamomile and lavender can help
to reduce tension and induce sleep naturally. These supplements are
most suited for people with mild anxiety disorder symptoms and who only
experience brief episodes of anxiety attacks.
6. Change in diet. Depending on what you eat, your diet can either increase or reduce the risk of
panic attacks.
Eating sugar-rich foods aggravates symptoms of anxiety disorder because
it increases the heart rate and over stimulates the mind and body of a
person. Calming foods such as milk, oats, lentils and yogurt can help
keep energy levels stable and reduce the risk of an anxiety attack.
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.