Living with anxiety can be difficult, although more and more people in New York suffer from various anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders include: obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias and generalized anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorder symptoms vary by individual. However, the overarching theme of anxiety disorders is that there is a persistent worry or fear about normal everyday situations. For example, someone may constantly fear getting in the car and driving whereas another person may constantly worry about getting cancer.
People without anxiety disorders would find these fears and worries borderline ridiculous, but those suffering from anxiety disorders find these issues are all too real.
Not Just Psychological – Anxiety Effects Your Physical Health Too
Anxiety disorders are not just psychological, there are also physical and can include: profuse sweating, stomach upset, shortness of breath, a pounding heart, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, insomnia, muscle tremors and tension. These physical symptoms are caused by the body inducing a flight-or-fight response from the anxiety. There are emotional symptoms of anxiety that include: irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, feeling nervous, tension, constantly watching for danger or anticipating the worst, and feelings of dread or apprehension.
Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety disorders are often characterized by anxiety attacks. Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, often occur suddenly and randomly. Sometimes there are occurrences that trigger anxiety attacks, while other times the attacks occur seemingly without cause. A typical anxiety attack lasts for ten minutes with severe attacks lasting for half an hour.
Unfortunately, regardless of the length of the attack, the sufferer is left with such terror after a panic attack that coping with normal life is very difficult. Oftentimes, fear of having another attack will bring on an anxiety attack. These anxiety attacks can be very debilitating. Anxiety disorders are very real and can be very unsettling to those suffering from them.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Luckily, there is treatment for the various types of anxiety disorders. Relief can be found through a combination of therapies that include medication, counseling, behavioral therapy, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, hypnosis, and relaxation therapy. Based on the type of anxiety disorder, your doctor will work with you to determine which therapy or combination of therapies will help to make your life more bearable. For many people who suffer from anxiety, treatment may include “exposure” therapy, which exposes the person who is experiencing severe anxiety to whatever it is that they are anxious about.
For example, for those who have severe anxiety about driving, the sufferer may be asked to drive a certain distance from home each day – adding a few miles to the “exposure” on consecutive days. There are alternative therapies that can be used simultaneously with the more traditional therapies, but should not be used in place of the typical therapies.
Natural treatments for anxiety can include herbs, supplements, acupuncture, exercise, and relaxation therapy. The natural anxiety treatments can be very useful to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Depression and anxiety disorders can go hand in hand. There are differing theories as to whether the anxiety disorder causes the depression or vice versa. Either way, there are combination treatments available to assist with both the depression and the anxiety disorder. Exercise can be a very effective treatment for depression and anxiety.
Overall, the treatment for anxiety can involve multiple therapies and include natural treatments. With the five main types of anxiety disorders, there are differing medications and therapies than can be useful to treat each specific disorder. Keep in mind that not all treatments are effective for every individual. Individuals all express their anxiety differently and as such the treatments for their anxiety will achieve differing results. It is essential to get help from psychiatrist NYC for your anxiety disorder and stick to the treatment.
A Word for Loved Ones
If someone that you know is suffering from anxiety, being supportive of the person is very essential to management of anxiety or recovery from the condition. Unless you have walked in the shoes of the person experiencing the anxiety, you will never know how truly devastating it can be. Above all, learn what you can about their condition and be sympathetic to their needs.