Thread: anxiety

Mainstream treatment for anxiety consists of the prescription of anxiolytic agents and/or referral to a cognitive-behavioral therapist. There are indications that a combination of the two can be more effective than either one alone.

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Prescription medication
The acute symptoms of anxiety are most often controlled with anxiolytic agents such as benzodiazepines. Diazepam (valium) was one of the first such drugs. Today there are a wide range of anti-anxiety agents that are based on benzodiazepines, although only two have been approved for panic attacks, Klonopin and Xanax. All benzodiazepines are physically addictive, and extended use should be carefully monitored by a physician, preferably a psychiatrist. It is very important that once placed on a regimen of regular benzodiazepine use, the user should not abruptly discontinue the medication.

Some of the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have been used with varying degrees of success to treat patients with chronic anxiety, the best results seen with those who exhibit symptoms of clinical depression and non-specific anxiety or general anxiety disorder concurrently. Beta blockers are also sometimes used to treat the somatic symptoms associated with anxiety, especially the shakiness of "stage fright."

Many scientists believe that the benzodiazepines and other antianxiety drugs are greatly overprescribed and potentially addictive. See, for example, Fred Leavitt's The REAL Drug Abusers (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). The addicitive nature of the benzodiazepine class became apparent in the mid 1960's when Valium (Diazepam), the first drug in the class to win FDA approval, resulted in thousands of people who quickly showed the classic symptoms of addiction when used for more than a week or two consistently.

The most addictive of the benzodiazepines appears to be Xanax due to its rapid onset and short half life in the blood stream. Xanax also has the dubious distinction of being the only benzodiazepine that often requires hospitalization for discontinuation as a precaution against dangerous and sometimes fatal seizures as part of the detoxification process. No other medications in this class have shown this fatal side effect, although abrupt discontinuation of virtually any benzodiazepine can result in cravings, stomach pains, cramps, increased anxiety, insomnia and other signs of withdrawalCognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular and effective form of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety. The goal of the cognitive-behavioral therapist is to decrease avoidance behaviors and help the patient develop coping skills. This may entail:

Challenging false or self-defeating beliefs.
Developing a positive self-talk skill.
Developing negative thought replacement.
Systematic desensitization, also called exposure (used for agoraphobia and OCD mainly).
Providing knowledge that will help the patient cope. (For example, someone who suffers from panic may be informed that fast, prolonged, heart palpitations are in themselves harmless).
Unlike prescription medication, the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy depends on various subjective factors, such as therapist competence. In addition to conventional therapy, there are at-home cognitive-behavioral programs sufferers can use as part of their treatment.

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Other coping strategies
A variety of over the counter supplements and medications are also used for their alleged anti-anxiety properties, however there is little scientific evidence to back up these claims. Kava Kava is a popular herbal treatment; small doses either taken regularly through the day or when early symptoms are noticed by the patient. Valerian root is also reputed to have anti-anxiety and sedative properties, as are passion fruit, passion flower, St. John's wort, hops, and chamomile.

Popular nutritional supplements for dealing with anxiety include magnesium and B-complex vitamins.

Self help and relaxation techniques also play an important role in relieving anxiety symptoms. Self help includes:

Proper diet - This includes reduction in consumption of caffeine, sugar, and generally an improvement of eating habits. Caffeine reduction should be gradual. Some anxiety sufferers report considerable reductions in their anxiety just from taking these measures.
Exercise - Some exercise is thought to relieve stress. Anxiety sufferers should note that rapid heart palpitations during exercise can trigger a panic attack, so it is probably better to gradually develop an exercise routine while on a cognitive-behavioral program.
Laughing
Breathing techniques and proper breathing - A Diaphragmatic breathing technique is often recommended (as opposed to chest breathing).
Proper sleep.
Meditation
Relaxation techniques - A state of relaxation can be achieved with the help of relaxation tapes, Yoga or relaxation therapy.
Stress management.- This may entail changes in lifestyle and time management. There are a number of books specialized in stress management.
Panic attack coping strategies - Specific strategies for dealing with panic episodes have been proposed, such as slow abdominal breathing and use of reassuring self-talk.
Search for meaning and purpose - Some experts have indicated that residual generalized anxiety can be the result of a sort of "boredom" about existence. They recommend looking for an occupation the sufferer finds meaningful.
For people who feel anxious and don't know why, it is worthwhile to sort out whether the anxiety is over a particular circumstance or a more abstract existential worry.
Alcoholic drinks are probably the most widely used substance for the alleviation of anxiety. Anxiety sufferers are cautioned that alcohol is also a powerful depressant and has a plethora of dangerous and uncomfortable side effects in addition to being potentially addictive. Some evidence suggests that consuming alcohol to alleviate anxiety may be counter-productive, as it can lead to a higher or irregular heartbeat and lowering of blood sugar which can both add to the unpleasant symptoms of anxiety and panic.

when people have anxiety/panic attacks we can easily feel that there is something physically wrong with us which then fuels further anxiety.
you are doing the right things by trying to help yourself, however if the counselling is going nowhere and the pills "don't work" then go back to your GP and if they are sympathetic and know their job (not many do!) they will hopefully review your treatment, Luv Tam Lin X

[quote=imported_lillyy;2253]i seem to have bad case of anxiety and everyday i deal with this and i even go to counsiling and take medication ..everyday i just cant tell if its my breast hurting or my chest and my left arm hurts too and it seems to be making my anxiety worse[/quoteI HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM LEARNING TO DEAL WITH ANIEXTY IS SO HARD TO DO MY CHEST HURTS,ARM DIFF BREATHNG,TROUBLE SLEEPING AT NIGHT ALSO MY JOB IS STRESSFUL SO THAT ALSO MAKES IT WORSE AND I ALSO HAVE MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE SO I NEED SOME TO TALK TO THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

First of all, I'm not staying that all those treatments before mentioned don't work, but for me, I stumbled across something I'd like to share with you all who are suffering from anxiety.

Thank God for this mineral!! I have suffered with severe anxiety symptoms for about 20 years. Three weeks ago I began the Atkins diet, so I continued taking my multivitamin and bought an additional magnesium
supplement to take to cut down on the muscle cramps and twitches sometimes caused from this diet. All of a sudden, after about 2 weeks on the magnesium, I noticed that my irritability, anxiety, fear, fatigue, and mild depression were gone!! I am being much nicer and friendlier to people now. I feel like my eyes have been opened to a whole new world!! I am no longer afraid to face people!! Before, I mistook it as extreme shyness. Everyone thought I was being mean or stuckup. I didn't want to walk into a room with anyone in it, nor make a simple phone call to take care of business! I would actually wait until the business closed so I could leave a message on their voice mail and not have to talk to them directly!! When I would go into a restaurant, I would make sure that I sat to where I was facing no one! I have not gone to social or school functions because my anxiety was so crippling!! When a date would suggest an outing such as swimming, I could never go, due to my anxiety of drowning! I've missed out on so much!! I feel so fortunate that I discovered the wonders of magnesium by chance. I love life now!! I finally feel like I'm free!!!!

Since finding this miracle mineral, I've done some research and found out that it can also help children who suffer from ADD or ADHD and can also curb migraines!! Anyone who has this same type of anxiety, PLEASE try a magnesium supplement for just 2-3 weeks and see if it makes a difference! Sure beats having to take all kinds of prescribed anxiety meds, and cheaper too! If you try the magnesium and it works wonders for you as it has me, please reply to my post and post your own testimonial to help others, as I have tried to do!

Wow, what a great experience. I had something similar happen to me a few years ago when I went to a doctor after suffering long term depression. They did a blood test and found out I had practically no vitamin B in me! There have been studies that show it caused depression when you have a deficiency and I got B shots to help out. It wasn't just depression caused by a medical condition, but by targeting anything that could be contributing to how I felt was very positive and I believe helped me feel better.

Its important to realise there are many reasons as to why people get depressed, but I can suggest seeing a doctor and having a blood test and finding out if you are lacking anything that might be contributing to how you feel. Hopefully the stronger your body and the better you feel physically the stronger your mind.

I get cramps in my feet and hands, so I think I will try some magnesium and who knows what further positive effect it may have!