FAQ’s About Anxiety

* Anxiety versus Depression

Anxiety attacks are the bodies ‘overreaction’ to stress. Often the stress is something that happens to the individual that is having the attack. Many times, the anxiety is caused by depression. Depression and anxiety, most of the time, walk hand in hand with one another.

Most people who have an anxiety attack will suffer from an anxiety disorder. These include obsessive compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. They will generally bring on depression.

Chances are, if you go to the doctor for anxiety, that you will get a prescription for both anti-anxiety medication as well as anti-depressants. This is because the doctor will not want you to take anti-anxiety medication for a longer period of time

* How does exercise reduce stress?

Exercise is one of the best ways that you can help your anxiety naturally, without pills and other medications. Exercise is the “cure all” for just about everything. The reason exercise works so well is that it releases endorphins to the brain and gives your mind a boost of serotonin. This is the same way that many SSRIs work. Not only that, but exercise puts you in control of your body and is a proactive approach in treating your health.

Most anxiety disorders all have one component in common - control. People who are worried about losing control are often those who are the most anxious. While most people accept the fact that control is not necessarily in their hands at all times, those with anxiety cannot accept this fact. They feel that they need control in order to function. The loss of control can send them into a tailspin that launches a full anxiety attack.

* Anxiety & depression remedies

* Types of anxiety disorders

General Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety for which there is no known reason for the anxiety. One who suffers from this kind of disorder will often have anxiety or panic attacks set off by some ‘unknown’ catalyst. It might be something in their brain that sets them off or an event taking place around them or to them. Medical professionals often give anti anxiety medication together with anti depressant medication so as to balance the chemicals in the brain and allow the person to react to the stressful situation more ‘normally’.

Social Anxiety Disorder

This disorder occurs when a person is outside of their home, often in a crowded area (the grocery store, a mall, an amusement park, etc.). Symptoms often include heart palpitations (the heart beating rapidly), clammy and cold skin, sweating, and possibly even fainting. Doctors often prescribe medication (Anti Anxiety) to treat this disorder.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This occurs when a person has experienced a very severe form of stress (experiencing a life threatening event or seeing a life threatening event, including death, of persons close to them) and then has troubles with anxiety after the event(s) and is unable to live life without occasional attacks of anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Veterans of foreign wars often return home suffering from this. However the reasons for the disorder can come from many other events including violent assaults or terrifying event, accidental physical harm, a natural disaster, etc.

Panic Disorder

A suffer of Panic Disorder may experience any of a number of symptoms that are common to having a heart attack. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and even possibly chest pains. As with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (mentioned above) there is no known cause.

There is ongoing research for each of the above disorders and treatments are available and these therapies often enable those suffering from these disorders to live fulfilling and productive lives.

* Natural remedy for social anxiety disorder

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the healing art of fragrant oils and plant materials to create an atmosphere, alter mood, and personalize a room. Aromatherapy could be candles and it could also mixed with additional oils and used for massage oils or added to your bath. It is well known that the sense of smell is very powerful and some smells are very relaxing and can help with mild anxiety disorders.

Herbal supplements

St. John’s Wort, Lemon balm, Chamomile, Kava Kava, Sam-e and Valerian Root are herbs that are known to help with minor depression and anxiety problems. St. John’s Wort helps in treating depression that often accompanies anxiety. Chamomile is great as a tea and is often called “Calm-omile’. Kava Kava has a relaxing, stress relieving, effect and can be taken a few days a week. Valerian and Sam-e are some of the newer herbal supplements useful in helping with anxiety attacks. You should certainly discuss the use of any supplements, herbal or vitamins, with your doctor, as they may interact, negatively, with medications you are taking.

Meditation

Meditation, along with Yoga, is yet another way that you can help yourself to treat, even cure yourself of anxiety attacks. The goal of meditation is to quiet and calm your mind while you are relaxing your body. Meditation can reduce stress (anxiety), lift your mood, help you with your hormone levels, reduce your blood pressure, and reduce skin temperature You can take a class in meditation (try your local Junior College or classes offered by your community) or you can watch a DVD to learn this ancient eastern practice.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a way that some people use to treat themselves for a number of health related issues, including those of anxiety and depression. Acupuncture has been with us for thousands of years to help treat heal aches, pains and even headaches. Some persons suffering from bouts depression or anxiety swear by this healing method.

* Anxiety diet

I’m sure you’ve heard it said many times “you are what you eat”. Could the food you’re eating being causing or contributing to your anxiety? If you are eating foods that are high in fat, full of sugar or other non nutritious foods, it could be part of the problem. Stop eating a diet like and start eating better.

You can start off by eating A LOT more fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water. You are always better off to eat a diet that is filled with vitamins and nutrients. Especially foods rich with B Vitamins.

* Lifestyle choices that cause stress

We have settled that it is impossible to erase stress from our lives, so how do we manage it? People experience stress because of too much too do, poor sleep, a diet that isn’t nutritious or the effects of an illness. Stress is also mental. You may suffer from stress because of your work environment, relationships, and other worries about kids, money, retirement, and a loved one’s illness.

Stress does come from less dramatic forms of stress and can come from ordinary day-to-day responsibilities. Pressures, duties, and time management problems may cause emotional stress that isn’t always obvious. Stress from everyday life is displayed by higher blood pressure and heart rate, respiration is increased, and the blood flow increases to your muscles. This happens to prepare your body for “fight or flight” response to a sensed threat.

Stress is also accompanied by the feeling of not being “in control.” Each person handles stress in a different way and while one person may be stressed-out because of moving or a career change, another person may take it into stride and consider it to be an adventure. Headaches, back pains, insomnia and other minor illnesses can be caused by the stress of everyday life. Stress can also contribute to other major illnesses that are potentially life threatening.