How to Cope With Anxiety

Anxiety is a common condition that affects people in all ages and walks of life. It can make it difficult to function and get along with others. Symptoms vary, but can include worries and fears that interfere with your daily life and last for weeks or months. You may also feel a lot of tension or stress, have trouble sleeping, and feel weak and fatigued.

Getting Help and Support

You can get help for anxiety from your doctor or a mental health professional. A mental health professional will examine you and do tests to see if you have an anxiety disorder. They can give you a diagnosis and discuss treatment options with you.

Medications for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

If your doctor finds you have an anxiety disorder, they will prescribe medication to treat your symptoms. These medications can be used by themselves or with other therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). They are safe and effective and can be taken on a regular basis as part of a treatment plan.

Diet and Exercise

Several studies have shown that diet can be helpful for treating anxiety. It can improve the quality of your sleep and reduce stress levels. Eating a balanced diet and limiting your intake of caffeine, alcohol and drugs can help you manage your anxiety.

Yoga and tai chi can also help you relax. These mind-body practices are evidenced-based and have been shown to be helpful for anxiety disorders, including social phobia.

Meditation and mindfulness are other helpful practices for coping with anxiety. They teach you to observe your thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a non-judgmental way, often improving your mood and relaxation.

A good support network is important for people who have anxiety. It can include friends, family members and other people you trust. They can help you deal with the emotional and physical challenges of anxiety, and give you a sense of hope for the future.

The causes of anxiety aren’t fully understood, but they likely involve a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological and developmental factors. Many anxiety disorders are associated with a traumatic event such as abuse or the death of a loved one.

Psychological treatment is the most common way to treat anxiety disorders. A psychotherapist can help you change problematic thinking patterns, and develop coping skills to avoid anxiety-producing situations. They may also use techniques called ‘desensitisation’, which involves slowly exposing you to your fears so you can overcome them.

Other treatments may include medications, such as antidepressants. They can be combined with psychological therapies, such as CBT or exposure therapy.

Anxiety can also be triggered by life events or by the chemical balance of your brain. For example, severe stress over a long period of time can cause changes in the chemical balance that controls your emotions. Other things, such as an injury, can also trigger anxiety.

Keeping a journal of your worries can help you understand them better. It can also be helpful to talk to your GP or a mental health professional about your symptoms and your lifestyle.