Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Treatment for anxiety disorders are similar to that of depressive disorders. However with anxiety disorders, particular if you are suffering from panic attacks, you may not be able to wait for a doctors appointmentfor relief. There are some techniques that can offer you immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks, though for long-term reflief you should consult a psychiatrist to see if you need medication or if there is a different means of treatment for your symptoms.
Most symptoms of medium to severe anxiety disorders can be treated with medication though for long-term care psychotherapy is one of the best treatments. Similar to depression, anxiety disorders often feed off of past experiences and emotions. Talking through those feelings and memories with a psychologist who is trained to help guide you through painful thought processes, can be extremely benefifical. After therapy sessions I often feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I have a renewed feeling of hope.
Short-term treatments for anxiety and panic attacks
Panic attacks often triggered by a particular type of event or situation. There are many kinds of triggers, not everyone has teh same triggers, but they generally aren't the type of events that account for the level of anxiety that induces a panic attack.
SO how do you handle a panic attack? Panic attacks feed on uncertaintky and fear. Once you start thinking the symptoms are "real" the symptoms intensify and spirals out-of-control. When you sense a panic attack coming on, or whether you realize you in the midst of a panic, one of the best thing to do is to focus your thoughts and body on a simple task. This task can be counting, walking around the block, reciting a poem, reading a book outloud, etc. Focusing your thoughts and body elsewhere can start to breakup the downward thought spiral which feeds the panic attack.
Other things you can do are:
> Breathe into a paper bag - this action can help regulate your breathing. During panic attacks breathe patterns tends to become very deep and you may be taking in too much oxygen.
> Massage your hands or temples, try to focus your senses on the massage, and away from other physical symptoms.
>Try to laugh. laughter can take your mind off of the symptoms and releases tension.
Other treatments for anxiety
> Excercise - excercise is one of the best natural releases of anxiety and stress
> Make sure you have enough sleep
> Eating healthy food can make a big difference in your anxiety and stress levels.
Other links for information about anxiety: | Anxiety Symptoms | Anxiety Medications | Treatments for Anxiety | How to Get Help | Listen to Others Stories