Are You Confused About Anxiety Disorder Treatment Options?

Many people are. Is it shyness or anxiety? Many people will confess to being shy in new social surroundings, but if this feeling brings on acute physical symptoms, like shortness of breath, lightheadedness or heart palpitations, it could be anxiety. Unfortunately, if the root causes of anxiety aren’t addressed, it could lead to a downward spiral of actions. There may be a deliberate avoidance of any social gathering, and this could lead to poor attendance at school or work. Ultimately, depression sets in and the physical symptoms take on heightened urgency, crippling the body through the mind.

Yet, hope is always present. Although there aren’t any medications that completely cure anxiety, there are specific drugs that can significantly lessen the symptoms associated with this condition, thereby allowing a person to get back into the flow of life. Mild anti-anxiety medication may be a good place to start treatment, but there are many other options that don’t involve drugs.

Counseling can make a big difference in determining the cause of anxiety and developing coping strategies. Anxiety often starts with a specific situation in which the person feels overwhelmed. This escalates into more frequent bouts of stress, coupled with increasing physical symptoms. Counseling can take a person back to the initial encounter to create a positive pathway through the experience. Once the person develops a different perspective on the situation, the mind set is changed, and the physical symptoms cease to be a problem.

Other treatment options for anxiety sufferers include herbal therapy. Soothing tea can be made from dried herbs like lavender, linden flower and lemon balm. These herbs can be purchased in a health food store and tea made from them is not only pleasant to taste, but has a calming effect on the body.

Aromatherapy also helps with anxiety. Essential oils such as lavender and geranium have confirmed calming properties. When needed, these oils can be used in a diffuser, added to a hot bath or mixed with almond or olive oil to massage into the skin.

Many people get much needed relief from the symptoms of anxiety with acupressure. There are key locations in the body that will create a feeling of relaxation when properly touched and manipulated. For instance, the spot between the eyebrows can be gently pressed to help relieve anxious thoughts.

Certain foods play a key role in anxiety. Alcohol, caffeine and sugar may increase the severity of symptoms. They are also known to have a negative overall impact on the body, decreasing the effectiveness of the immune system and adding calories to the diet with no measurable nutritional value.

Being diagnosed with anxiety is the first step toward finding the proper treatment. According to the severity of the symptoms, medication may be initially prescribed that will allow a return to daily social activities. However, once that is established, counseling may be the second step, to discover the underlying emotional issues.

Over time, alternative methods of controlling anxiety can be tried. By learning about the causes and treatment options for this condition, you will free yourself from the negative effects and enjoy life again.

A Saved Life – Restoration Urban Ministries

John, maintenance director, talks about how God led him to Restoration Urban Ministries and saved his life from drugs and alcohol. Go to www.restorationurbanministries.net for more information. Video by Phil Gioja at Center Street Productions, www.centerstreetproductions.com or 815-432-0125.

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