Anxiety Help and Treatment
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a person’s mind and body’s reacting to stress. This could be a dangerous or situations which is unfamiliar. This reaction may come with a sense of nervousness, great distress, apprehension, or panic. Everyone feels a little bit of anxiety which is useful in helping us stay aware and alert. However, when anxiety becomes debilitating and prevents you from doing normal activities it may be the result of a anxiety disorder. Those suffering from anxiety disorder definitely understand how these feelings can prevent one from taking on normal daily activities.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
–NIMH
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called “rituals,” however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.
–NIMH
Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
–NIMH
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
–NIMH
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation – such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others – or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.
–NIMH
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Excessive Worry
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Fatigue or Tiredness
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Tense Muscles
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Panic Attacks
- Avoiding Social Situations
- Irrational Fears
Anxiety Treatments
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychological counseling involves working alongside a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder.
Medications
There are a wide variety of medications which are used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. This may include drugs such as antidepressants, buspirone, benzodiazepines, etc. However, many medications do have side effects and can be addictive.
TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation)
TMS is a new depression and anxiety treatment approved by the FDA. If you need depression help, TMS is now available here in El Paso, Texas. TMS is one of the newest and most innovative procedures in aiding treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Clinical research has also revealed that it may be helpful in treating PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety and bipolar disorders. TMS uses a magnetic field — similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — to stimulate the brain’s dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).