Coping With Anxiety
Having an anxiety or panic attack can be a very scary experience. Many people have described it by saying that they honestly felt like they were dying. Obviously no one would want to repeat an experience like that so many people find themselves avoiding certain situations or activities that may be related to a previous attack. But is coping with anxiety in this way the right thing to do are there other options available to you?
Anxiety or panic attacks are more common then many people realize. Having one is nothing to be ashamed about and is certainly not a reason to avoid seeking help. Trying to overcome it on your own is not recommended as most cases of anxiety tend to get worse over time if left untreated. So what should you do?
Seeing your doctor is recommended in the first instance. Ruling out any physical illnesses that can cause similar symptoms is essential in order to be properly diagnosed. Once you doctor has confirmed that you have an anxiety disorder you will be referred to either a psychologist or psychiatrist for further treatment.
Although most people probably think of drugs as the main type of treatment that people with anxiety are likely to receive this is not always the case. Cognitive behavior therapy is a common method used to overcome this debilitating condition and has been shown to be very effective as a treatment.
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Treatment For Anxiety
Having an anxiety or panic attack is a scary experience and not one you would likely want to repeat. The good news is that anxiety disorders respond very well to treatment and there are several effective methods commonly used to do this. So what options are available and how do you know which treatment for anxiety is best for you?
The first thing to understand is that the type of anxiety disorder you have as well as its severity will likely determine which treatment option your doctor will recommend. Also many patients find that rather than a single method, often a combination of complementary treatments will work best.
One of the most common treatments is behavioral therapy. This includes both exposure therapy, where you safely confront your fears until your anxiety is over come and cognitive behaviour therapy, where you identify your thoughts and feeling s that are contributing to your anxiety and change them. Both of these therapies will require a period of anywhere between 2 and 4 months to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Of course there are also several medications that are routinely prescribed for anxiety sufferers. Rarely taken as a sole source of treatment they are regularly combined with either of the two therapies above for greater effectiveness. As with any medication, there may be side effects and they may be habit forming so it is wise to discuss these issues with your doctor before taking them.
There are other things anyone with anxiety can do to help themselves such as getting regular exercise and learning various relaxation techniques. Also, for some people hypnosis may be useful and should be considered. Anything that leads to a more relaxed and less stressful state of mind can be of benefit.
Whatever treatment for anxiety you choose, remember that most people respond well to treatment and do so in a relatively short period of time. May your feelings of anxiety soon become a thing of the past!
Herbs For Anxiety
Many people are looking for a natural solution for the stresses of modern life. Prescription medicines often cause unwanted side effects and in some cases are addictive as well. Herbs have been used for centuries as a treatment for many ailments and conditions as well as to promote relaxation. People looking to take herbs for anxiety should consider kava kava, valerian root, passion flower or St Johns wort.
Kava kava (piper methysticum) is not addictive and has traditionally been used by women experiencing menopause. It is known for promoting sleep as well as treating anxiety.
Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is popular worldwide due to it being both a pain reliever and sedative. It is fast acting and has no known side effects when taken short term. Long term usage has not been studied so is not recommended. A standard dose is somewhere between 150 and 200 mg.
Passion flower (passiflora incarnata) does not cause drowsiness and is effective at relieving anxiety as well as irritability and mood swings. For adults 100mg to 250mg is a typical dose.
St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) is a well known herb used for treating mild depression and relieving nervous tension and anxiety. It has been clinically proven to promote a positive mood when used continuously for a period of 2 to 6 weeks at a dosage of somewhere between 200mg and 600mg.
It is important to remember that although these herbs are natural, they are still potent and should only be taken with the recommended dosages. It is also wise to check with your doctor before starting any new herb especially if you are on any form of prescription medicine.
Using herbs for anxiety is an option available to anyone seeking an all natural solution for their anxiety or panic attacks. It is becoming an increasingly popular choice as more people take a bigger interest in their health and well being.
Panic Attack Treatment
It is important to remember that there is no definitive answer as to the cause of panic attacks. As a result, how the condition is treated may be different for each person as well. When deciding upon a panic attack treatment it is important that you understand the options available to you and that you are comfortable with the approach that your doctor is taking.
Firstly, not all people with this condition will end up on medication. In fact many people will experience great benefits from either behavioural or cognitive therapy. This is where you will have between 10 to 12 sessions with your doctor and you will to overcome your fears by identifying and then changing the thoughts and emotions that lead to your panic attacks. You should not feel ashamed or embarrassed at seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. They are medical professionals who are there to help you overcome your problems and regain control of your life.
Depending on the severity of your condition sometimes medication is given to help minimize the symptoms associated with a panic attack. Common drugs prescribed include Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox and Paxil, however these are often given in conjunction with another form of therapy in order to achieve the desired result. It has been observed that patients who simply take medication can often find that their symptoms will return once they stop taking it.
The important thing to keep in mind is that there is help available and whatever panic attack treatment you choose is your personal decision. Taking any form of medication should be a last resort and should only be considered when you have understood the possible side effects, as well as how long you will need to take it for and how long a period of time before you will notice that it is working.

