Non-Narcotic Treatment for Anxiety
Anxiety is the body's natural reaction to stress, and everyone experiences it. Sometimes, however, anxiety is more intense than events or issues warrant and becomes debilitating. Some extreme cases of anxiety disorders can be alleviated with medication, but for mild anxiety there are several non-narcotic treatments that can help.
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A common illness
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If you are experiencing an anxiety disorder, you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults ages 18 and older, or 18.1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common form, affecting 6.8 million adults, or 3.1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the association.
Therapy
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Therapy is a common treatment for anxiety. Talking things out with a licensed therapist can be cathartic. It can help you become more aware of your anxiety and learn how to cope with and even prevent it.
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Holistic approaches
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You can use holistic approaches to to reduce anxiety. Such approaches focus on ways to reduce stress in the body, such as getting enough sleep, exercising for at least a half an hour a day, and eating fresh, healthy food.
Relaxation techniques
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If you are experiencing anxiety, you can try deep breathing exercises, meditation or visualization. These relaxation techniques can greatly reduce your anxiety. A therapist or meditation practitioner can help you learn techniques to achieve total body relaxation.
Creative therapy
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Creative outlets such as painting, drawing, writing, knitting, dancing and other art forms can offer a relaxing form of stress relief if you suffer from anxiety.
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