Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health
disorder in the United States, according to the US Surgeon
General. There are millions of people who are diagnosed
with it every year. A small amount of anxiety helps to get
us going, but when it becomes more severe, it can be
overwhelming. If you start feeling like it”s more than it
should be, you may want to visit a doctor for a clinical
diagnosis. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
has estimated that 19 million Americans aged 18 to 54
suffer from anxiety disorder every year.
Fear is generally the basis for anxiety disorders. All of
us have felt its tingle before we do something that makes
us nervous, such as making a public speech or going out on
a first date. When that feeling becomes more constant and
starts to invade our daily lives, then it has become a
disorder and it”s time to get some help.
One of the most familiar and studied forms of anxiety
disorder is the panic attack. The patient usually feels
his or her heart race and also pain or pressure in the
chest. Generalized anxiety disorder is another of the more
commonly diagnosed forms. It manifests as constant worry
that is beyond normal bounds. Other symptoms include a
lengthy event lasting six months or longer, muscle
tension, difficulty staying focused on a subject, trouble
sleeping, and feeling continuously irritated. Panic
attacks don”t usually result from general anxiety
disorder, but it can still make life difficult. That type
of worry is exhausting, takes away interest in one”s life,
and can cause mood swings. Some other anxiety disorders
include social anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior,
various phobias, and post- traumatic stress syndrome.
Anxiety disorder can be complicated to treat; the
functions of the brain simply aren”t fully understood.
Medical researchers don”t understand why some people”s
imbedded fear response goes into overdrive. There are at
least five different neurotransmitters that seem to be
disturbed in various anxiety disorders, and all of them
can be treated by anti-anxiety and antidepressant
medications.
Anxiety disorders are sometimes painful and exhausting,
but there are many options for treatment and healing. The
typical Western response to anxiety combines medication
with psychotherapy. Patients may elect to go to a
psychologist, who guides them through the therapeutic
process, or a psychiatrist who prescribes medication.
Medication is a very effective method of treating anxiety
disorders. The best selling medications are tranquilizers
in the benzodiazepines family — which go by the more
recognizable names such as Xanax, Valium and Ativan.
These drugs are very effective in limiting anxiety or
quelling panic, especially for a short-term duration.
However, for patients who require medication to overcome
acute anxiety, antidepressants have produced better
results, especially the selective serotonin re-uptake
inhibitors (SSRI”s such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and
Celexa.
Alternative health care providers view anxiety disorders
from an entirely different perspective. Patients who seek
alternative treatment (usually non-pharmaceutical) should
be prepared to approach the healing process with patience
and introspection. Another therapeutic option is Cognitive
Therapy (CBT) which focuses on creating an understanding
of the thought process that produces worry. It helps
anxiety suffers focus on realistic thoughts rather than
unrealistic worries. Other alternative therapies for
anxiety include relaxation training, desensitization,
breathing exercises, meditation, acupuncture, homeopathy
and biofeedback. In addition, some people find bodywork
such as yoga, massage, chiropractic adjustments or even a
brisk walk to provide long-term relief.
