Dealing With Anxiety

Occasional anxiety, such as being nervous before a big test or worried about your loved one’s health, is normal and healthy. But when your worries are getting in the way of living life, it may be time to seek help.

It can be hard to talk about your feelings, but it’s a good idea to do so. Ask someone you trust, like a parent or school counselor, to listen to you. Then you can explore treatment options, which include medication and psychotherapy.

Most people who have anxiety disorders respond well to talk therapy and medication, but each disorder has different characteristics, so your treatment plan will be based on your needs and preferences.

Medication helps control your symptoms

Medication can relieve anxiety attacks by blocking the body’s response to stress hormones. These hormones can cause physical symptoms such as shaking, trembling and rapid heartbeat. They also suppress the immune system, which can lead to heightened inflammation that increases your risk for developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease and autoimmune diseases.

Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications, and they work quickly to reduce symptoms of anxiety. These drugs, such as Xanax, Klonopin and Valium, can be used to treat anxiety during panic attacks or when you have episodes of severe anxiety that interfere with your daily life.

They can be physically addictive and should not be used long-term. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the right drug combination and dosage for your needs.

Lifestyle changes can also help improve your anxiety. Try to eat healthy and exercise, and get plenty of sleep. You can also cut down on caffeine, alcohol and recreational street drugs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that helps you change distorted thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your feelings of anxiety. It has been proven effective in treating a wide variety of anxiety disorders.

There are also a number of techniques to help you manage your anxiety, including exercise, deep breathing and programs of meditation. These are often referred to as coping strategies or stress management tools.

The sooner you start to feel better, the more likely it is that you will overcome your condition. Anxiety can be treated successfully with psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle shifts.

Personality traits, life experiences and genetics can all play a role in causing anxiety. For example, if you have a family history of anxiety or if you have experienced early trauma and are overprotective as a child, you are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder later in life.

In addition, if you have a close friend or relative who has an anxiety disorder, your risk is higher. Anxiety can be a warning sign of other health problems such as depression, so it’s important to see your doctor and get tested if you suspect you have anxiety.

It’s important to recognize that anxiety isn’t your fault, and you can live a full life even with an anxiety disorder. There are effective treatments for anxiety, and many people will find their lives are improved by overcoming this problem.