Archive for August, 2009

Do Natural Anxiety Cures Really Work?

Amit Mehta recently asked:


Anxiety cures can come as traditional medicine prescribed by a doctor. Or anxiety cures can take the form of natural supplements.

There are many companies that claim to have all sorts of natural herbal anxiety cures. While these anxiety cures might be effective for some people, anyone considering using them should know that some of these herbal or natural types of anxiety cures are unproven. In fact, a large percentage of these natural or herbal anxiety cures are not backed up with clinical studies.

When considering using natural anxiety cures, be sure to do your homework. Read all you can about what goes into the anxiety cure you’re considering using. If there are any records of clinical studies on the anxiety cure, be sure to read those.

One natural anxiety cure that claims to be backed up with clinical medical data is Seredyn. Seredyn advertises itself as a natural anxiety cure that will help those suffering from anxiety deal with their worries and remain calm and happy.

The reason why Seredyn claims that it is a legitimate anxiety cure made from natural ingredients is because it contains the extract of herbs called Valerian and Passion Flower. Some studies show that these herbs have anti-anxiety properties.

According to these studies, if Valerian is taken in daily doses of 50 to 500 milligrams, it’s been known to be an effective anxiety cure. And a few hundred milligrams of Passion Fruit extract a day is also a good anxiety cure that helps with relaxation.

Some say that Green Tea is also a good natural anxiety cure. It contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has anti-anxiety properties. For it to be as effective as possible as an anxiety cure, it should be taken in doses of 100 to 300 milligrams.

Be cautious, though. Some anxiety cures that claim to contain L-theanine only have a very low amount of the herb. In order to be effective as an anxiety cure, the treatment needs to have high percentages of pure L-theanine.

There are also various other types of herbal drops available that all claim that they are the perfect anxiety cures. They claim to relieve anxiety, stress, irritability, and nervous tension. Suggestions for dose size and frequency for these types of anxiety cures in the form of herbal drops varies. The most common dose suggestion is that a couple of drops be taken three times a day with a glass of water.

Some clinical trials suggest that the herb St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a good natural anxiety cure because it relieves depression with fewer side effects than prescription drugs. But in order to be an effective anxiety cure, St. John’s Wort must contain a high concentration of an active ingredient, hyperforin, which is said to regulate the chemical messengers that control the levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals effect emotions.

Relaxation techniques can also be good anxiety cures. Listening to calming music, meditation, prayer, and getting enough sleep each night can be very effective anxiety cures.

Some forms of alternative medications and treatments can be considered anxiety cures as well. Acupuncture might work as an anxiety cure by directing your stresses elsewhere. Massage can be an effective anxiety cure because it helps your body relax and helps you deal with anxiety.





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Monday, August 31st, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Overcoming Performance Anxiety the Easy Way

Barbara Lacy recently asked:


Performance anxiety may hit anyone and this can affect the performance of a person in the work place, at home and yes even in bed.

For this reason, overcoming performance anxiety should be one of those things that should be prioritized in the long run. Overcoming performance anxiety is a need so that you can junk that feeling of inadequacy. Overcoming performance anxiety is a must because this will be your arms when you take down every hurdle that can trigger disharmonious relationships and conflicts between you and your partner. And overcoming performance anxiety should be your means to have a happy and a complete life.

Overcoming performance anxiety in the workplace and in the bedroom

Performance anxiety is a known problem in the work place. Employee productivity is often hampered by this health and mental issue and that’s the reason why business owners spend time energy to effectively adopt plans that will help in overcoming performance anxiety. But did you know that this mental issue is not just confined in the workplace? This means that you will see overcoming performance anxiety steps not just in the workplace. So where do you see other people overcoming performance anxiety?

Performance anxiety can be a big problem as well in inside the bedroom, with either the male or the female experiencing this issue. In most cases, it is the men who is faced with the most serious trouble and a serious question that he often ponders on some steamy nights- can I get it going and satisfy my partner? If you have the same issue and constantly thinking on how well can you perform and satisfy your partner, then probably you have performance anxiety now. This is a common problem for men when it comes to sexual activity in the bedroom. What happens next is a common story told and retold; men get fully engrossed in the fear of the inability to perform and then this fear ends up dominating what could have been a spontaneous feeling of love and affection. For this reason, overcoming performance anxiety is important. Overcoming performance anxiety means getting to the bottom of it all and knowing what could be the effect of this mental condition to men.

The issues to confront when overcoming performance anxiety inside the bedroom

Overcoming performance anxiety means men will need to resolve the following;

· Avoidance of sexual encounters

· Development of self-esteem

· Deterioration of relationships

· Sexual dysfunctions

These are the common offshoots of having performance anxiety on men and these four offshoots are the main reasons why overcoming performance anxiety is important now and not tomorrow.

What to do when overcoming performance anxiety

And we all along know that there is some form of good news here. It’s now easy to adopt measures that will help you in overcoming performance anxiety. And it’s always with you- the mind plays the main role in overcoming performance anxiety. Problems that are related to this issue are related to the fears, stress and depression rather than the physical. So in order to address these issues, the mind needs to be reprogrammed so that the mind can relax and enjoy any activity- including sex. And one great step in overcoming performance anxiety is thru the therapeutic adoption of hypnosis. This step is adopted by many sites online like http://www.selfhypnosistherapy.com/sexual-performance-anxiety.html. Hypnosis can help in overcoming performance anxiety and can help you discover what is holding you back and lead to once again to the right track in performing to the best of your abilities- including giving your partner the pleasure that he/she deserves.

If you are feeling frustrated and depressed about your physical inability to perform, don’t just do nothing and feel miserable. Do what thousands of men have done - by overcoming performance anxiety in the bedroom with the power of hypnosis… you will be amaze how easy it is to prolong your pleasure and start enjoying stronger erections that last!





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Sunday, August 30th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Living With Anxiety Disorders

Robert Kokoska recently asked:


a number of ways to treat an anxiety disorder as well there are also many different types of anxiety disorders. Anxiety treatments for the most part consist of medication which does not cure the anxiety but rather diminishes the effects of an anxiety attack. There is also counseling that can help a person learn to coup with and even sometimes cure an anxiety disorder.

There are many types of anxiety disorders and also many types of medications used as anxiety treatments. One of the most common types of medications used to treat anxiety disorders is antidepressants or also known as SSRI’s. SSRI’s or selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors work by altering the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This neurotransmitter works to send signals between the brain cells for communication. Some of the more common SSRI’s are Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. This type of medication is used to treat not only depression but also as an anxiety treatment for Panic Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Social Phobias. This type of medication has fewer side effects than most other antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

Anti-anxiety medication is another treatment option for those looking for anxiety treatment. Benzodiazepines at high potency can help relief the symptoms of anxiety attacks. This medication has few side effects besides the obvious drowsiness which will occur. Patients using this medication will find that they have to keep upping the dose though to get the same relief. Because of this benzodiazepines are usually only prescribed for short periods.

Another anti-anxiety medication is Clonazepam, which helps those suffering from social phobias and general anxiety disorders. Lorazepam is helpful for those who suffer from panic disorders. Xanax is also common prescribed for those who suffer from both panic disorders and general anxiety disorders.

Patients taking medication as an anxiety treatment should never abruptly stop taking their medication. By abruptly stopping a medication could result in a relapse of symptoms. Medication should be slowly tampered off under the supervision of a medical physician.

Psychotherapy is also a treatment option that should be explored. Psychotherapy can be combined with medication or by itself. In psychotherapy you will be talking to a mental health professional that is trained in helping patients overcome their anxiety disorders. You will talk to this professional to discover what the root cause or triggers are for your anxiety attacks. They can help you deal with the symptoms of anxiety attacks and help you learn to better coupe with this disorder.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is another type of psychotherapy that is very helpful for treating anxiety disorder. If fact, this is one way that a patient could actually be cured of the disorder. The patient is slowly exposed to the object or trigger of their anxiety disorder.

Many people suffer from some form of anxiety. There are several options available to help relieve them of the symptoms and lessen the degree of anxiety attacks. Through medication and the use of psychotherapy a patient can live an active life with little effects of the anxiety disorder.





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Sunday, August 30th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

How You Can Deal With Anxiety Disorder

Jocelyn Snider recently asked:


Anxiety disorder is capable of destroying your life if not treated immediately.

Have you ever felt anxious about something for any reason? Or, feeling anxious or worried in the times of stressful situations? It is ok to feel what you feel as long as you have rational reasons to validate your feelings. Anxiety is a normal response to any stressful event and it helps you deal with that situation. But, when anxiety becomes too much that it can affect your day to day activities and peace of mind, it becomes an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry about events or activities, which occurs most often than not in most days for at least six months. A person who has anxiety disorder finds it difficult to control the feelings of worry and fear. The anxiety, worry, or the physical symptoms of anxiety disorder can cause considerable suffering or harm on the important areas of daily life activities. Some of the common types of anxiety disorders include separation anxiety, social anxiety or phobia, selective mutism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. Each of these anxiety disorders has different symptoms, but the entire symptoms revolve around excessive, unreasonable fear and dread.

Separation anxiety is defined as developmentally improper and excessive anxiety relating to separation from home or to someone you are so attached with. Social anxiety or phobia is generally understood as extreme fear in the face of social interaction. Selective mutism is the consistent failure to speak in specific social situations where you are expected to render speech. OCD is an illness wherein you have recurrent and unwanted urge to do something to relieve your discomfort. PST is an incapacitating condition that follows a terrifying event (persistent terrifying thoughts). Panic disorder is categorized as recurrent brief episodes of intense fear that are accompanied by many physical symptoms, like heart palpitations and dizziness, even without external threat. Agoraphobia is defined as an incapacitating fear of open spaces, resulting to avoidance of crowds, and open public places. General anxiety disorder is described by diffuse feelings of apprehensions with physiological symptoms. Specific phobia is a feeling of intense, irrational fears towards certain things, like closed-in places, heights, water, etc.

If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that bother you are due either to anxiety disorder or other medical condition, or both. If indeed you are diagnosed to have anxiety disorder, the next step you should do is definitely see a mental health professional whom you are comfortable talking with. Clearly, in order for you to be treated from this condition, you and your doctor should work together as a team and make a plan to cure you from anxiety disorder. Don’t let this condition ruin your mood, activities, or your life in general. Get immediate treatment the soonest possible time once you think that you might have an anxiety disorder. The sooner you get the treatment, the sooner you feel better.





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Sunday, August 30th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Natural Stress And Anxiety Relief

Kingsley Modozie recently asked:


Due to the fact that majority of persons hate to take drugs for their anxiety and panic disorder, they chose to use a reliable remedy for their disorders which doesn’t have any side effect. These involve aromatherapy, herbal supplements and acupuncture. Some of these are proven to be effective, especially if the anxiety is still in its early stage of attack.

Most of us get anxious at times. No human being is complete if he or she doesn’t encounter panic or anxiety disorder sometimes in their existence. It is also necessary to know that anxiety attacks are of various types. Some are extreme while others are severe anxiety. Someone that has extreme anxiety must have sustained steady attacks triggered by an inherent state like panic disorder.

When your anxiety is still in its early stage, it can be fixed before it becomes extremely uncontrollable. Some of the natural stress and anxiety relief which you can apply to relieve yourself from this disorder are:

Herbal supplements: Valerian, St. John’s Wort and Kara are some of the herbal therapies which are used to weaken early stages of anxiety disorder. St. John’s Wort is more effective in relieving depressions which sometimes affect along side anxiety. Valerian and Sam-e are the latest herbal remedies to anxiety attacks which claim it can remedy panic disorder. On the other hand, I recommend you should not ingest these medications with other drugs, if in the process of taking them you encounter an unexpected side effects, it will be in your own health interest to talk to your doctor. It works best for people that have mild to moderate anxiety and depression, and it doesn’t work if your anxiety has become so severe. It is a nice natural stress and anxiety relief.

Acupuncture

It is simply a method which people apply to relieve themselves of varieties of difficulties like depression, panic and anxiety disorder. It has been available since centuries and it aids to cure aches, migraine, heartbreaks and even pains. Persons that experience panic attack vow by this remedial technique, it was originated from primeval China. It is an efficient natural stress and anxiety relief.

Meditation

Meditation is also an alternative solution to relieve anxiety attacks. It has been in use since thousands of years ago. It is connected to Hinduism or Buddhism. It works for relaxation of the mind when you want to find peace. A better way to learn how to meditate and the ability to apply it successfully is by taking a short course in meditation or the option of watching a DVD about meditation where you can learn it from there.

Panic Away is a site that contains all the natural treatments you require to end your panic and anxeity attacks permanently. Instead of spending your money on drugs and enduring the pains you get from panic attacks, i recommend you treat it once and for all using the scientifically tested and proven methods offered by Panic Away.

Check it out at http://modospot.com/review/panicaway.html





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Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

What Commonly Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medications Is Right For You?

Karin Manning recently asked:


Anxiety medications are prescribed to anxiety sufferers to relieve anxiety and depression. There are several commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications that help sufferers control their anxiety.

Many people have experienced anxiety at some points in their lives. I have and I’m sure most of you have. It keeps us alert and helps us deal with any stressful events that we may encounter. Anxiety can sometimes interfere with our daily life activities.

If we worry, we often can’t concentrate on the things we do, but if we look on the bright side of anxiety, where it can help us handle a situation, I must say that it can be used to our advantage, as well.

For example, in an exam, because of fear of not getting the score you aimed, you tend to give your best shot and the result could be higher than you expect. That happens to me, too. And I can tell you, anxiety sometimes can be of big help.

How we all wish anxiety gives us all the best it can do to us rather than the worst. Unfortunately, it’s not the way anxiety works. If anxiety attacks we wish there could be ways to stop it for anxiety really does affect your mood, work, and practically your daily life routine. Otherwise, people suffering from anxiety are usually left immobilized; unable to perform effectively on you regular daily routine.

Anxiety can be treated by medication or by psychotherapy. It is said that psychotherapy can be the most effective treatment for anxiety. But, anxiety medications, such as anti-depressants may be added if needed be. Anxiety medications help relax and calm the anxious person and can remove the troubling symptoms that come with anxiety.

There are several anti-anxiety medications that are available today. The preferred are Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Aside from the Benzodiazepines, other medications, like Buspirone, Beta-blockers, and Gabapentin are sometimes also taken to treat anxiety.

Antidepressants are also effective for anxiety attacks and some other phobias are frequently prescribed for these conditions. They are also seldom used for generalized forms of anxiety, especially if anxiety is accompanied by depression.

Aside from Benzodiazepines, among the other anxiety medications are Buspirone, Tricylic, Antidepressants, or SSRIs, are also the preferred medications for most anxiety disorders, rarely for specific reasons. One of the following medications maybe prescribed: Antipsychotic medications, Antihistamines, like Atarax, Vistaril, and others; Barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital, and Beta-blockers, like Propranolol.

All of these anti anxiety medications help relieve anxiety and depression and must be prescribed by health professionals for there are medications that might not good for you. For example, Benzodiazepines are usually not prescribed to people having social anxiety condition with substance problems.

If your anxiety only occurs on certain occasions Seredyn is good for you. Seredyn has natural ingredients and provide long lasting relief. It promotes relaxation, reduces worry, and relieves irritability and tension. Seredyn can also be taken everyday for chronic anxiety or as needed for occasional anxiety or panic attacks.

When it comes to anxiety medications, make it a point to ask your doctor what is necessary and safe for you to take. Not all anxiety medications works on your specific anxiety condition.





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Thursday, August 20th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Finding The Effective Treatment For Your Anxiety Disorder

Cindy Heller recently asked:


Although anxiety is accepted as being a normal and healthy emotion, some people suffer from intense anxiety, which ends up affecting their lives and causing them to keep away from certain situations that they used to be able to deal without difficulty. If you are suffering from anxiety then you should begin on finding an appropriate and effective method of treatment.

The first thing you need to do is determining the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from. There are five main types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Effective treatments for each anxiety disorder are accessible, and new and enhanced treatments are always becoming available.

Non-medication treatments

Once you have found out the type of anxiety that you are suffering from you will be able to find the suitable anxiety disorder treatment. Mild anxiety disorders can often be treated relatively simple with relaxation and breathing techniques. Yoga, for instance, is a great type of exercise that can really help with anxiety and related health conditions. This is definitely something that should be tried prior to more serious forms of anxiety disorder treatment.

If your anxiety is more severe or constant, then therapy or counseling may become the best option. Cognitive behavioral therapy for one has been confirmed to be very effective in the treatment of all types of anxiety disorder. In this therapy you work one on one with an experienced and qualified mental health professional, who will assist you to deal with your fears in a safe and controlled environment. Over time you will be able to find out the root of your anxiety and from there work towards developing a treatment plan that will lead you to your normal life.

You can also select an anxiety disorder treatment plan that involves natural and herbal treatments. Herbal remedies such as valerian root and kava kava have over and over again proven to be effective at treating anxiety disorders and depression. You do need to keep in mind that just because these herbal remedies are natural it does not indicate that you do not still have to be careful. If taken inappropriately, these remedies can actually worsen your anxiety.

Hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture are other options for anxiety disorder treatment. In order to determine which one is going to work best for you, you need to talk to your doctor. You may need to try a few different methods before you find the one that works best for you and your particular anxiety condition.

Medications for anxiety disorder

Generally, most treatments for anxiety disorders include at least one prescription medication. If you start taking medication as a treatment for anxiety disorder, it is important to understand that this should not be a long-term solution and you should keep working with a certified mental health professional in order to determine the root cause of your anxiety.

There are several common medications for anxiety disorder and one of them is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin is known as the brain’s all-natural happy drug. Scientists believe that a lack of serotonin is the source of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks and therefore the purpose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Some familiar brands that use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are Prozac and Zoloft.

Benzodiazepines are another choice of medication, which act like minor tranquilizers. They decelerate the body’s nervous system, giving it an all-over calm. These types of medications can be addictive, so they should only be taken as prescribed. Some well-known brand names are Xanax and Valium.

Another medication that is used to treat anxiety disorder is antidepressants, which affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Effexor is a good example of this type of anxiety disorder medication. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are very strong antidepressant drugs that should only be taken as a last resort after all other treatments have been tried. These drugs can be lethal when combined with certain other drugs and foods. One thing that need to be noted, anyone who takes antidepressants may become more susceptible to suicide, especially when they first begin to take them or when the dosage is changed.

Last important remark

Taking time to find the right treatment for your anxiety disorder is going to be vital to your success and you are going to want to work with a professional, especially if you have little knowledge on anxiety disorders in general. Remember that treatment for anxiety disorder is as different as the individuals who use them, and what works well for one person may not be effective for you. You may find relief from various sources of treatment including medication, therapy, self-help, alternative medicine or another form of treatment, and it may take some time and some trial and error in order to discover what works best for you.

One thing to remember is that support from family and friends are also very important. Many communities have organized support groups for people with different difficulties and you should be able to find a support group dedicated to anxiety disorder. These groups are typically made up of people with similar problems. Most patients find it reassuring to realize that they are not alone. Others in the group will be able to share advices, failures, and successes.





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Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

ANXIETY: Counseling and Treatment-From Huntley, Cary and Rolling Meadows

Mike Shery recently asked:


People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work.

People with GAD cannot get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They are unable relax, startle easily and have difficulty concentrating.

Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include, but are not limited to, fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath and hot flashes.

GAD affects about 6.8 million Americans and about twice as many women as men. It comes on gradually and can begin across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age.

It is diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worrying excessively about a number of everyday problems. There is evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.

Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone. It is commonly treated with medication an/or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are typically treated with medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both. Treatment choices depend on the problem and the persons preference.

Before treatment, a doctor must conduct a careful diagnostic evaluation to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an anxiety disorder or a physical problem. If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the type of disorder must be identified, as well as any coexisting conditions, such as depression or substance abuse.

Sometimes alcoholism, depression or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.

People with anxiety disorders who have already received treatment should tell their current doctor about that treatment.

If they received medication, they should tell their doctor what medication was used, what the dosage was at the beginning of treatment, whether it was ever increased or decreased, what side effects occurred and whether the treatment helped them significantly. If they received psychotherapy, they should describe the type of therapy, how often they attended sessions and how much the therapy helped.

Often people believe that they have failed at treatment or that the treatment did not work for them when, in fact, it was not given for an adequate length of time or was administered incorrectly. Sometimes people must try several different treatments or combinations before they find the one that works for them.

Medications

Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but it can keep them under control while the person receives psychotherapy, often from a psychologist. The principal medications used to treat anxiety disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers which control some of the physical symptoms.

With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can lead normal, fulfilling lives.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants were developed to treat depression but are also effective for anxiety disorders. Although these medications begin to alter brain chemistry after the very first dose, their full effect requires about 4 to 6 weeks before symptoms start to fade. It is important to continue taking these medications long enough to let them work.

SSRIs

Some of the newest antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs alter the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which, like other neurotransmitters, helps brain cells communicate with one another.

Fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa) are some of the SSRIs commonly prescribed for panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and social phobia. These drugs are also used to treat panic disorder when it occurs in combination with OCD, social phobia or depression.

Venlafaxine (Effexor), a drug closely related to the SSRIs, is also used to treat GAD. These medications are started at low doses and gradually increased until they cause side effects or produce a beneficial effect.

SSRIs have fewer side effects than older antidepressants, but they sometimes produce slight nausea or jitters when people first start to take them. These symptoms fade with time, however.

Some people also experience sexual dysfunction with SSRIs, which may be helped by adjusting the dosage or switching to another medication.

Tricyclics

Tricyclics are older than SSRIs and work as well as SSRIs for anxiety disorders other than OCD. They are also started at low doses that are gradually increased.

They sometimes cause dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and weight gain, which can usually be corrected by changing the dosage or switching to another medication.

Tricyclics include imipramine (Tofranil), which is prescribed for panic disorder and GAD and clomipramine (Anafranil), which is the only tricyclic antidepressant useful for treating OCD.

MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the oldest class of antidepressant medications and the ones most commonly prescribed for anxiety are phenelzine (Nardil), followed by tranylcypromine (Parnate) and isocarboxazid (Marplan), which are useful in treating panic disorder and social phobia.

People who take MAOIs cannot eat a variety of foods and beverages (including cheese and red wine) that contain tyramine or take certain medications, including some types of birth control pills, pain relievers (such as Advil, Motrin and Tylenol, cold and allergy medications and herbal supplements; these substances can interact with MAOIs to cause dangerous increases in blood pressure.

MAOIs can also react with SSRIs to produce a serious condition called serotonin syndrome, which can cause confusion, hallucinations, increased sweating, muscle stiffness, seizures, changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm and other potentially life-threatening conditions.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

High-potency benzodiazepines combat anxiety and have few side effects other than drowsiness. Because people can develop a tolerance to them and may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect, benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short periods of time, especially for people who have abused drugs or alcohol or who become dependent on medication easily.

One exception to this rule, however, is people with panic disorder, who can take benzodiazepines for up to a year without harm. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is used for social phobia and GAD, lorazepam (Ativan) is helpful for panic disorder and alprazolam (Xanax) is useful for both panic disorder and GAD.

Some people experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking benzodiazepines abruptly instead of tapering off, and anxiety can return once the medication is stopped. These potential problems have led some physicians to shy away from using these drugs or to use them in inadequate doses.

Buspirone (Buspar), an azapirone, is a newer anti-anxiety medication used to treat GAD. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least 2 weeks to achieve an anti-anxiety effect.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychologist, social worker, or counselor, to discover what caused an anxiety disorder and how to deal with its symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is very useful in treating anxiety disorders. The cognitive part helps people change the thinking patterns that support their fears and the behavioral part helps people change the way they react to anxiety-provoking situations.

For example, CBT can help people with panic disorder learn that their panic attacks are not really heart attacks and help people with social phobia learn how to overcome the belief that others are always watching and judging them. When people are ready to confront their fears, they are shown how to use exposure techniques to desensitize themselves to situations that trigger their anxieties.

People with OCD who fear dirt and germs are encouraged to get their hands dirty and wait increasing amounts of time before washing them. The therapist helps the person cope with the anxiety that waiting produces; after the exercise has been repeated a number of times, the anxiety diminishes.

People with social phobia may be encouraged to spend time in feared social situations without giving in to the temptation to flee and to make small social blunders and observe how people respond to them. Since the response is usually far less harsh than the person fears, these anxieties are lessened.

People with PTSD may be supported through recalling their traumatic event in a safe situation, which helps reduce the fear it produces. CBT therapists also teach deep breathing and other types of exercises to relieve anxiety and encourage relaxation.

Exposure-based behavioral therapy has been used for many years to treat specific phobias. The person gradually encounters the object or situation that is feared, perhaps at first only through pictures or tapes, then later face-to-face.

Group therapy is particularly effective for social phobia. Often homework is assigned for participants to complete between sessions.

There is some evidence that the benefits of CBT last longer than those of medication for people with panic disorder, and the same may be true for OCD, PTSD, and social phobia. If a disorder recurs at a later date, the same therapy can be used to treat it successfully a second time.

Medication can be combined with psychotherapy for specific anxiety disorders, and this is the best treatment approach for many people.

Taking Medications

Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder:

1. Ask your doctor to tell you about the effects and side effects of the drug.

2. Tell your doctor about any alternative therapies or over-the-counter medications you are using.

3. Ask your doctor when and how the medication should be stopped. Some drugs cannot be stopped abruptly but must be tapered off slowly under a doctors supervision.

4. Work with your doctor to determine which medication is right for you and what dosage is best.

5. Be aware that some medications are effective only if they are taken regularly and that symptoms may recur if the medication is stopped.

How to Get Help for Anxiety Disorders

If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is a psychologist, psychiatrist or your family doctor. It must be determined whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition or both.

If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the next step is usually contracting with a mental health professional to provide treatment. The practitioners who are most helpful with anxiety disorders are psychologists and therapists who have training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy and who are open to using medication if it is needed.

You should feel comfortable talking with the mental health professional you choose. If you do not, you should seek help elsewhere.

Once you find a mental health professional with whom you are comfortable, the two of you should work as a team and make a plan to treat your anxiety disorder.

Remember that once you start on medication, it is important not to stop taking it abruptly.

Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it.

If you are having trouble with side effects, it is possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.

Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for anxiety disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out.

If you do not have insurance, the Health and Human Services division of your county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay. If you are on public assistance, you may be able to get care through your state Medicaid plan.

Ways to Make Treatment More Effective

Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a self-help or support group and sharing their problems and achievements with others. Internet chat rooms can also be useful in this regard, but any advice received over the Internet should be used with caution, as Internet acquaintances have usually never seen each other and false identities are common.

Talking with a trusted friend or member of the clergy can also provide support, but it is not a substitute for care from a psychologist or other mental health professional. Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with anxiety disorders calm themselves and may enhance the effects of their therapy.

There is preliminary evidence that aerobic exercise may have a calming effect. Since caffeine, certain illicit drugs and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate anxiety disorders, they should be avoided.

Check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any additional medications. Also, the family is very important in ones recovery. Ideally, the family should be supportive and should not trivialize the disorder or demand improvement without treatment.





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Monday, August 17th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Symptoms, Signs, and Triggers of Anxiety Attacks

Amit Mehta recently asked:


An anxiety attack is a short period of overwhelming fear that comes on with no warning and for no rational reason. An anxiety attack can be a one-time event, but most often is an ongoing problem. Those who experience regular anxiety attacks (two or more anxiety attacks a month) should go to a doctor. It’s very likely that those who experience that many anxiety attacks have an anxiety or panic disorder. An anxiety attack is also often called a panic attack.

Regular anxiety attacks can prevent the person who experiences them from living a normal, happy life. Anyone of any adult age, from both genders, and of all races and economic backgrounds can have an anxiety attack.

Doctors and caregivers don’t know for sure what brings on an anxiety attack. But studies have shown that there are some health conditions and medications that might cause an anxiety attack. Anxiety attack triggers include withdrawing from alcohol or illegal drugs, a fear of having another anxiety attack, or heredity reasons.

An anxiety attack can bring on feelings of loneliness and a feeling of being out-of-touch with other people. There are other physical and emotional symptoms associated with an anxiety attack, but the main symptom is extreme fear. Some of the physical symptoms that can show up with an anxiety attack can feel like the symptoms of a serious health problem, like a heart attack.

The physical and emotional signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack rarely last longer than 30 minutes. The most intense symptoms of an anxiety attack usually peak within ten minutes. There have been a few rare cases where symptoms of an anxiety attack have lasted for hours.

Even though the physical and emotional signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack might last only minutes, the psychological symptoms can last much longer.

Those who experience anxiety attacks never know when an anxiety attack will hit them. A person might have an anxiety attack once a week. Or a person might have a series of anxiety attacks followed by months and months of no anxiety attacks.

This uncertainty coupled with the actual physical and emotional symptoms of an anxiety attack makes life very challenging for those who have anxiety attacks. Some people become so fearful of an anxiety attack coming at an inappropriate moment that they are afraid to leave their homes. This fear is often called agoraphobia.

The literal definition of agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces. This definition is often misleading and confusing, especially when used in reference to anxiety attacks. People experience anxiety attacks in all situations and statistically very few experience anxiety attacks in open spaces.

Agoraphobia often begins when a person experiences an anxiety attack in a specific situation. Even after a diagnosis is made and treatment begins, the person often convinces him or herself that the situation that caused an out-of-the-blue anxiety attack will cause numerous future anxiety attacks. So, naturally, the person avoids that situation.

Anxiety attack causing agoraphobia is two times more common in women than men. Well-known American celebrities who have admitted to experiencing agoraphobia related panic attacks include Kim Basinger and Barbara Streisand.





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Monday, August 17th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments

Natural Anxiety and Panic Treatment - How to Cure Anxiety & Panic Naturally

Fahd Mogul recently asked:


Anxiety is the unpleasant emotional affect, usually accompanied by physiological sensation that is characterized by worry, doubt and painful awareness that one is helpless to control situations.

Anxiety attacks occur when your body becomes alarmed by a physical or mental threat. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical sensations such as heart palpitations, nausea, and chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, headache, dry mouth or sexual dysfunctions. Anxiety can also stimulate some psychological troubles like increased depression, suicide feelings or aggression.

Recently extensive researches are carried out in different regions of the world for finding out the best ways of treating the anxiety disorder that in effect causes panic attacks. Here we are going to discuss some natural techniques by which you can overcome anxiety disorder.

Exercise – Both body and mind exercises are a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. Research shows as little as 30 minutes of exercise three to five times a week can help in significant anxiety reduction. To achieve the utmost benefits, decide to spare at least an hour of aerobic exercise on most days of the week.

Diet – Eliminating coffee should be the first step. There is significant clinical evidence showing that it can be all that is needed in some cases. Other foods that may worsen anxiety in excess are maple syrup, refined sugar honey, and products made of cow’s milk.

Relaxation techniques – Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, medication, progressive muscle relaxation can greatly reduce anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.

Aromatherapy – is also helpful for treatment of anxiety problem. The fragrances of vital oils stimulate our body and mind and provide relief from anxiety.

Yoga, aerobics and exercise are considered as some of the effective methods to treat anxiety naturally. They bring calmness and relaxation to the mind and also strengthen the immunity to confront with any future anxiety related symptoms.

Reiki – is an ancient techniques used for treatment of anxiety related problem. By utilizing Universal life force energy, Reiki energizes mind, soul and body.

Massage therapy – is also helpful to treat anxiety naturally. Proper massage enhances blood circulation and brings relief from anxiety. Shiastu, an ancient Japanese messaging technique is frequently used for anxiety treatment.

Biofeedback – By assessing biofeedback through different sensors used for measuring various physiological functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension, we can recognize the anxiety response of body and learn how to control it by using different relaxation and other natural techniques.

All natural treatment of anxiety and panic attacks require some special considerations i.e. patience, time and effort without these it’s hard to achieve the required results.

So, these considerations can be better applied if you work in a structured manner. For this purpose I will recommend to use a proven and effective system successfully tested by thousands of people in all over the globe. For More Details See Below:





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Monday, August 10th, 2009 anxiety and depression disorder No Comments