Anxiety – Causes, Treatment and Remedies

Anxiety disorders are a serious problem that may interfere with your ability to work, socialize and enjoy life. They affect people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds and often begin during childhood or adolescence.

The symptoms of anxiety are usually caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and psychological factors. In addition, stress and illness can make symptoms worse.

Risk factors for anxiety disorders include a family history of anxiety, personality traits (such as shyness and nervousness), childhood experiences of trauma, and early parenting. The development of an anxiety disorder can also be triggered by a medical condition, such as thyroid disease.

Symptoms attack medication

Your doctor might recommend anti-anxiety medications to help reduce your feelings of fear and stress. These drugs can be helpful when self-help strategies such as exercise, a support group or therapy aren’t enough to relieve your symptoms.

Medications can also be used to treat other health conditions that cause anxiety, such as depression and bipolar disorder. You’ll need to talk with your doctor about dosing, side effects and other concerns before starting a new medication for anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety is a mixture of medication, psychotherapy and stress management techniques. You may need to try different types of medication before finding one that works for you.

Cognitive behavioral therapy – CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps you understand and change the thought patterns that lead to anxiety or panic. It can also teach you skills to stop negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.

Mindfulness and meditation – Meditating can help you focus on the present, which can decrease your stress level and increase your ability to cope with stress. It can also promote sleep and relaxation.

Exercise – Physical activity releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood. It also can improve your self-image, which is an important step in treating anxiety.

Lifestyle changes – Many things you can do to manage your anxiety symptoms can be helpful, such as limiting caffeine and eating healthy foods. You can also seek support from friends and family, which can be very beneficial.

Natural remedies – Some people find that certain natural supplements can help them feel better. These supplements may include vitamin D, melatonin, GABA or B vitamins. You can also try herbs or tinctures, which are plant-based products that can help you calm down and reduce anxiety.

Other common natural remedies are meditation, yoga and tai chi. These practices engage your body, mind and spirit and have been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety.

Using a stress-relief tool to manage your anxiety can be an effective way to cope with symptoms, such as counting backwards or snapping a rubber band around your wrist. These practices can be done anywhere, at any time, and will not take up much of your day.

Your doctor can help you decide which natural and alternative treatments are right for you. You may be able to use some of these methods along with medication or you might be required to participate in an intensive therapy program that involves both medication and psychotherapy.