Anxiety affects millions of Americans for many different reasons. Some anxiety has a known cause such as previous abuse, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) or OCD. However, some mental health issues do not necessarily have to have a cause. This type of anxiety disorder is known as general anxiety and can also have life-affecting symptoms. There are many ways to get anxiety relief with both medications as well as natural ways. If you are prone to anxiety symptoms you should speak to your doctor or a licensed therapist to find out what options might help anxiety.
Some Anxiety Symptoms
- Nervousness
- Feelings of panic and/or danger
- Nausea
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness
- Hyperventilation and/or loss of breath
- Increase in sweating
- Trembling
Feel Anxious?
Medications can oftentimes help with treatment for anxiety. They are a quick way to calm your nerves so that you can perform life tasks without the risk of panic attacks. Some medications are something that is taken every day and helps with both anxiety and depression. Anxiety oftentimes is coupled with depression as well. These medications are prescribed and regulated by your doctor, and always seek medical advice for this. Some medications that your doctor might consider are:
- Celexa
- Lexapro
- Zoloft
- Prozac
- Buspar
Fast Acting Medications For A Panic Attack
However, there are other types of medication that are faster acting for those that do not have anxiety all of the time. These medications are quick to help calm the nervous system. They can be a bit addictive to some and they too are regulated by a doctor. When you speak with your doctor about medication be sure to answer all of their questions honestly, so they understand where you are coming from. This helps them to better assist and treat your anxious mind and overall health with the proper medications.
- Valium
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Klonopin
With medications, you will most likely experience some sort of side effects. Some of these side effects are mild and are not bothersome at all. However, some can be worse than the anxiety. There is really no way to know how your body will react without giving them a try under medical supervision.
Other Mental Health Options For Helping Anxiety
Of course, medications are not always the answer. There are home-based treatments as well as continued therapy of which can greatly help reduce anxiety. There are also therapy treatment plans that can assist as well. These are things such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Art Therapy, SIT(Stress Inoculation), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), and PE (Prolonged Exposure Therapy) to name a few.
EMDR is a form of therapy for PTSD which is the cause of many people’s anxiety disorder, even though they may not know it. Trauma doesn’t have to be something that occurred in the military. It can be something as simple as your mother snapping back at you when you were young. Or a sudden car accident where nothing horrible happened but your brain keeps going over the “what ifs”. Trauma doesn’t have to be all that “traumatic” to be damaging to your brain. And, this damage is what causes your brain to be anxious in different situations and causes anxiety.
EMDR works with rapid eye movement which allows the brain to help it heal from traumatic events. These events can be very difficult to relive. Some events the brain simply cannot process, as it is just too painful.
Trauma-Based Anxiety
When trauma occurs the brain goes into the fight or flight mode. This is a mode that many PTSD people work hard to stay out of, long after the trauma. If you have multiple traumas, this can occur multiple times and this condition is called C-PTSD. This too can cause huge bouts of anxiety as the brain fights to process the trauma. But, there is hope! EMDR is a way to give the brain a safe way to process trauma, and bring on a big time help.
To better explain, trauma gets boxed up and put on a shelf, at the brain level. It is something so painful, it saves the person by putting them in fight or flight and does not process the thoughts or feelings. These feelings of great loss, fear, and others are too hard to process as you progress through the trauma. When the trauma is over, the brain as no time stamp and so it continues to try to process the trauma. With EMDR, CPT, PE and other treatments, the brain starts processing in a safe manner. Many patients will have to have this care over the course of several weeks or even years. As the treatment plans are complete, the brain is restored to a more normal state and is not in that flight or fight mode. This is very helpful and sometimes the patient can even quit having anxiety altogether.
Natural Remedies For Stress And Anxiety
Other natural ways can also mean a hot bath. Try to take time for yourself. Taking deep and being in the present breathes can help relieve anxiety as well. Breathe in and hold for 5 seconds and breathe out. This has a calming effect on the brain.
Another method that is cross your arms so that your right hand is on your left shoulder and visa versa. Then begin to tap back and forth. This too helps reprogram the brain and help calm the nervous system. This method is used by professionals during natural disasters when children are separated from their parents. It is very effective in anxiety treatment.
Reasons for Anxiety
Besides trauma-based anxiety, there are many other reasons a person has anxiety. Anxiety disorder can be due to the stress and pressures you are under. Our families are our pride and joy but they can be very stressful at times. Husbands and wives having larger than life expectations of each other, for example, can add stress and bring on anxiety. Trying to impress your parents or keeping them happy about your life can bring on anxiety.
Finances are another factor in anxiety. When you are struggling to provide adequate life for your family, it can be stressful. But, with the help of medications and other home remedies, it can help with anxiety. This will allow you to calm down and be able to perform the tasks you have at hand. Anxiety can be crippling so getting a good grasp on it will certainly have positive impacts on your life.
Sometimes diet can actually be a major cause for increased anxiety. Sugar, lack of Omega-3 (eat more fish), caffeine, and alcohol can increase anxiety in many.
When you feel anxiety and/or depression during the day take note of what you ate and/or drank the day before. You may have hypoglycemia. A nutritionist may help you as much as a psychotherapist if this is the case.
If you are in crisis or think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency room, or call 911 immediately. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a trained counselor.
