Guide to Anxiety Relief
Feeling anxious at times is normal. When anxiety disrupts your everyday living and worries are frequently without reason, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Though living with an anxiety disorder can be difficult, treatments are available to ease symptoms.
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Identifying Symptoms
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Signs of anxiety include a feeling of being on edge, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, irritability, impatience, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain and stomach upset. Intense worry about your or your loved ones' safety may be all-consuming. It may be hard to remember the last time you felt at ease.
Researching Medications
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Anti-anxiety medicine may be prescribed for specific anxiety disorders or generalized anxiety that has been ongoing for six months or longer. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, can provide anxiety relief in 30 to 90 minutes. These sedatives are only for a short-term treatment as they can be habit-forming. Another anti-anxiety medicine called Buspar takes a few weeks to provide symptom relief but does not cause dependence. A common side effect is a brief period of dizziness right after taking the pill. Antidepressants such as Prozac and Lexapro may be prescribed because of the effect they have on neurotransmitters that can play a role in anxiety.
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Seeking Counseling
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Counseling or psychotherapy is a behavior therapy that helps you refocus your negative beliefs and fears into positive ones. Changing the way you look at and behave in certain circumstances can help lower anxiety. You may not be able to change situations like issues at work or school, but you can change the way you feel and think about them, helping you feel more in control.
Self-Care
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Mild anxiety can be treated without a doctor's involvement. Meditation or relaxation tapes can help calm the mind. Soak in a hot tub, watch television, read a book or talk with a friend to help ease anxiety. Exercise, eat healthy and get plenty of rest. When you feel a pang of anxiety coming on, try to refocus by taking a walk, reading or diving into a hobby.
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