Music video by Sisters performing O Happy Day / Oh Happy Day. (C) 2013 Gaither Music Group

Treating Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is an automatic body reaction in times of danger. This chemical messenger triggers a fight-or-flight response, preparing humans to run from danger. While constant anxiety can be useful in the short term, it can be a sign of a serious condition. Having anxiety disorder can lead to an individual’s inability to cope with life. If your anxiety is preventing you from working or enjoying your family life, you may want to seek medical treatment.

There are coping strategies for people suffering from anxiety, but if your symptoms persist, you may need to seek professional help. Your doctor may prescribe medication that can help you manage your symptoms. Some individuals can find relief in meditation and stress management. Support groups can also provide coping strategies. Learning more about anxiety disorders can help family members understand you better. However, caffeine, benzodiazepines, and other substances can make your symptoms worse.

Anxiety disorders are common, and they can affect people of all ages. Oftentimes, they are caused by a medical condition. If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, you should seek treatment. Treatment may help you overcome your symptoms. Anxiety disorders require specialized treatment. For instance, medication can help you cope with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, or separation anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can interfere with everyday activities.

While the exact cause of anxiety disorder is unknown, it is likely a combination of genetics and environmental stress. Seek help for your anxiety as soon as possible – the sooner you seek treatment, the better. The earlier you begin treatment, the easier it will be. Anxiety disorders can worsen over time. A doctor will help you manage your symptoms and find effective treatment. Oftentimes, people with anxiety disorders do not seek treatment. However, they need professional help to live a normal life and overcome their conditions.

Generally, treatments for anxiety disorders are based on the symptoms and severity of the disorder. Psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves teaching you to change your thinking and behavior patterns. Exposure therapy is an example of CBT, which encourages you to confront your fears, and exposes you to the feared situation. Anxiety disorders are often treated with drugs from the same drug class as anti-psychotics.

Avoidance of the feared object or situation can also help alleviate the condition. This therapy involves gradually exposing yourself to the feared object or situation in a controlled environment. Exposure can be done in the form of imagination or in reality. As you slowly overcome your fear, you will be able to deal with the resulting anxiety. In the end, it will be less of an issue and you will be able to face it without harm.

The symptoms of an anxiety attack usually peak within 10 minutes, but the attacks last for about 30 minutes on average. The symptoms of an anxiety attack may be so intense that you may think you are about to die or have a heart attack. When you experience an attack, you may worry about having another attack, which will make you feel crazy and unable to cope with life. You may even feel that you are going crazy, or that you are losing control.