What Do You Do For Anxiety

What To Avoid When You Have Anxious Thoughts

Avoid soothing your anxiety with things that can lead to more anxiety, advises Dr. Albers.

For example, stress eating is like putting a Band-aid® on a gaping wound, she says. You want to deal with your anxiety directly.

Dredging up bad experiences from the past or imagining scary scenarios in the future will just heighten your anxiety, too. When this happens, realize what youre doing.

Remind yourself that you encounter stressful things every single day, and you find ways to handle them. Bad things happen relatively sparingly and our brains are well-equipped to handle a crisis if one occurs, says Dr. Albers. Be engaged in your real life, not in imagined moments, and dont create what-ifs.

The best way to begin is to work on developing a new relationship with your thoughts.

Thoughts are like clouds. Theyre not good or bad, they just come and go, she says. You dont have to react to them Oh, wow, thats interesting. I wonder where that thought came from, works better than Oh, no, thats terrible. Being grounded in the present moment, without judgment, is the place to be.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation And Relaxation

Mindfulness meditation, relaxation, and breathing exercises can help calm your mind and body, which may allow you to feel less worried. Plus, it only takes a few minutes each day to feel a difference. Use this time to be aware of whats going on in your mind and body. Start with five minutes a day and work your way up to mindful moments several times a day.

To help you get started, listen to a guided meditation, or recorded breathing exercises. Once you feel comfortable with the practice, you will find more focus and awareness throughout the day.

Antidepressants For Children And Young People

Children and young people with moderate to severe depression should be offered a course of psychotherapy before antidepressants. This treatment should last at least 3 months.

In some cases, an SSRI called fluoxetine may be offered to young people aged 12 to 18. This should be offered in combination with psychotherapy.

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Do Antidepressants Have Any Long

Psychologists recommend that patients stay on the medication for six months to a year after feeling better. You should check on your response after three weeks and between three and six months.

Despite the potential for side effects of antidepressants, there are no well-known side effects on long-term usage.

In essence, you should discuss with your doctor when you want to stop antidepressants. This is a clinical decision that depends on the severity and length of your depression.

Information For Carers Friends And Relatives

If you are a carer, friend or relative of someone who hears voices, you can get support.

How can I get support?

You can do the following.

• Speak to your GP about medication and talking therapies for yourself.
• Speak to your relatives care team about a carers assessment.
• Ask for a carers assessment from your local social services.
• Join a carers service. They are free and available in most areas.
• Join a carers support group for emotional and practical support. Or set up your own.

What is a carers assessment?A carers assessment is an assessment of the support that you need so that you can continue in your caring role. To get a carers assessment you need to contact your local authority.

How do I get support from my peers?You can get peer support through carer support services or carers groups. You can search for local groups in your area by using a search engine such as Google. Or you can contact the Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service and we will search for you.

How can I support the person I care for?

You can do the following.

• Read information about anxiety disorders.
• Ask the person you support to tell you what their symptoms are and if they have any self-management techniques that you could help them with.
• Encourage them to see a GP if you are worried about their mental health.
• Ask to see a copy of their care plan, if they have one. They should have a care plan if they are supported by a care coordinator.
• Help them to manage their finances.

You can find out more about:

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What Is Hyperventilation

Even though your body needs oxygen to survive, and turns that oxygen into carbon dioxide when it’s been used up within the bloodstream, your body also expects a healthy amount of carbon dioxide in your circulatory system as well. Hyperventilation is the act of breathing either too quickly or incorrectly in such a way that you’re taking in too much oxygen while breathing out too much carbon dioxide.

Interestingly, during this time it may feel as though you’re not getting enough air, and your instinct may be to take deeper breaths. But by responding to that sensation by trying to take in more air, you’re actually making your hyperventilation worse, which is why those that try to get deeper breaths often feel their symptoms getting worse, causing further panic.

When there isn’t enough carbon dioxide in your blood, you experience the symptoms of an anxiety attack, including:

• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness and more

Notice how each of these symptoms are the same as when you’re suffering from severe anxiety, which is why it often feels like an “attack” and why the symptoms feel so physical. They build on each other to create an experience that feels like something is terribly wrong.

The most likely cause of hyperventilation is breathing too quickly, which is a common response to anxiety. But it’s not the only cause either. You may also hyperventilate because:

Panic Or Anxiety Attack

Panic or anxiety attacks are sudden feelings of intense fear or stress without true danger. Symptoms usually peak and then decrease within minutes. One may feel as if they are losing control or have physical symptoms like sweating or a racing heart. A panic attack can be a very scary experience and should be taken seriously.

Rarity: Common

Symptoms that always occur with panic or anxiety attack: anxiety or anxiety/panic attacks

Urgency: Primary care docto

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How To Tell If Youre Having An Anxiety Attack

If you feel like you had severe anxiety, then you had an anxiety attack. Any form of severe anxiety can count as an attack. But for those that are experiencing something more like panic attacks, the experience tends to be similar between different people.

Recall that anxiety attacks can mimic other health problems. If you havent been to a doctor, its a good idea to go at least once to rule out any more serious issues. Make sure your doctor knows about anxiety, however. Not all doctors are aware of the severity of anxiety attack symptoms. Some may not believe that anxiety can cause so many physical symptoms and sensations, but it absolutely can. Thats why its so important to find the right doctor.

The symptoms below are often experienced differently by different people. During an anxiety attack, your body experiences a wave of stress that is so profound, its difficult to know exactly how your individual body will react. Yet below are some of the most common symptoms of an anxiety attack:

You may not experience all of these symptoms at once either, and each one may cause various degrees of severity. You may also feel as though there is no way that it is an anxiety attack. Anxiety attacks and panic attacks are often so severe that the sufferers live in constant fear of the symptoms coming back.

Anxiety attacks also tend to peak around 10 minutes . Then as they dissipate, they often leave you feeling fatigued and drained, possibly fearful of another attack.

It Can Help Treat Nausea

Given its potential impact on your digestive system, lemon balm may also help relieve feelings of nausea.

A 2005 review assessing the results of several studies on lemon balm found the herb to be useful in treating gastrointestinal symptoms such as this. Although this is a promising development, its important to recognize the study limitations.

Many of the studies looked at lemon balm used in conjunction with other herbs. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of lemon balm when used alone.

How to use: Drink a cup of lemon balm tea at the first sign of nausea. You can find loose-leaf or bagged options at your local grocery store or online.

Theres also research to suggest that lemon balm can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome .

A 2015 study researched the effect of lemon balm in reducing the intensity of cramps in 100 high school girls. The girls took either a lemon balm essence or a placebo for three consecutive menstrual cycles. The intensity of PMS symptoms was analyzed before and one, two, and three months after the trial. The group who took the lemon balm reported a significant reduction in symptoms. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

How to use: Take 1200 mg of lemon balm daily for optimal results. This will allow the herb to get into your system long before its time for PMS symptoms to appear. Continued use is thought to reduce your symptoms over time.

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What Are The Treatments For Anxiety Disorders

The main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy , medicines, or both:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat anxiety disorders. CBT teaches you different ways of thinking and behaving. It can help you change how you react to the things that cause you to feel fear and anxiety. It may include exposure therapy. This focuses on having you confront your fears so that you will be able to do the things that you had been avoiding.
• Medicines to treat anxiety disorders include anti-anxiety medicines and certain antidepressants. Some types of medicines may work better for specific types of anxiety disorders. You should work closely with your health care provider to identify which medicine is best for you. You may need to try more than one medicine before you can find the right one.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

Ssris And Benzodiazepines For General Anxiety Disorders

Feeling anxious, worried, and tense? You are not alone! Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, and General Anxiety Disorder affects 6.8 million adults every year . When feeling overwhelmed with worries and tension, the first step many people take is to ask their doctors about medication. If you struggle with GAD, and are thinking about starting medication, here is some information about two of the most commonly prescribed types of medication: SSRIs and benzodiazepines.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors include medications such as Zoloft , Prozac , Celexa , and Lexapro . These medications work on serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that plays a role in feelings of well-being and happiness, as well as thinking, memory, sleep, digestion, and circulation. SSRIs are currently considered the first-line medication for many forms of anxiety. If you are considering starting an SSRI, here are some important things to consider:

Benzodiazepines include medications such as Xanax , Ativan , and Valium . These medications strengthen the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is the primary inhibitory signaler in the brain. GABA plays a role in sleep, feeling calm, muscle relaxation, and reduction in brain activity. If you are considering starting a benzodiazepine, here are some important things to consider:

Regardless of who you are or your thoughts on these medications, here are some essential things to know and do when taking medication:

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Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

This online resource, provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , helps you locate mental health treatment facilities and programs. Find a facility in your state by searching SAMHSAs online Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. For additional resources, visit NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.

Hanging Out With Friends

Relationships matter even for us introverts, says Stone. Research also tells us that isolating is one of the worst things for anxiety and depression.

So, consider making time for friends, family, and other social engagements.

Put yourself in social situations at least weekly as a part of your self-discipline to help you build community over time, says Stone.

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Try To Keep The Anticipatory Period Short

When were afraid of something, the hardest time is really before we do it. So another rule of thumb for parents is to really try to eliminate or reduce the anticipatory period. If a child is nervous about going to a doctors appointment, you dont want to launch into a discussion about it two hours before you go thats likely to get your child more keyed up. So just try to shorten that period to a minimum.

Relax By Interrupting Your Anxious Thinking

It can be hard to think clearly when you feel anxious. Sometimes anxious thinking can make us believe harmful thoughts that are untrue or make us do things that make our anxiety worse. It can be helpful to break or interrupt your anxious thoughts so you can think clearly and react appropriately to your thoughts.

Heres how to break your anxious thought cycle:

• Ask yourself whether endless worry is a problem for you. If the answer is yes, its good to be aware of that.
• Try different ways of interrupting your anxious thought process, such as:
• Singing a silly song about your anxiety to an upbeat tempo, or speaking your anxieties in a funny voice.
• Choose a nice thought to focus on instead of your anxiety. This could be a person you love, your happy place, or even something you look forward to doing later that day, such as eating a nice dinner.
• Listen to music or read a book.
• Be conscious when you shift your attention from your anxiety to a task at hand and notice how you feel.

Do you feel worse?

Anxiety exercises may not work for everyone and may actually make symptoms worse for people who have a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder . If you have GAD, consult your doctor for more effective treatment options.

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Seeking Treatment For Anxiety

If your anxiety symptoms seem to be staying the same or even getting worse, regardless of any techniques that you try, and if you are finding that your anxiety is having a damaging impact on your quality of life, you may need a bit of professional support to help you manage your symptoms.

At Priory, we are able to provide you with an anxiety diagnosis that sets you on a course for recovery. When you first come to one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres, you will meet with one of our doctors who will assess your symptoms, provide you with a robust diagnosis and work with you to determine the most effective treatment for anxiety, which may include medication and therapy.

Our expert multidisciplinary team will then support you through your treatment programmeso that you can begin to better manage your anxiety symptoms and improve your health and wellbeing for the future.

For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding mental health and wellbeing, please call 0800 840 3219 or . For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here

Recognizing The Disorder In Others

Jennifer Stevens, PhD

How do I recognize if someone close to me is having trouble with anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the U.S., affecting more than 18% of the population. They are even more common among children, affecting an estimated 25% of children between the ages of 13 and 18. The most common anxiety disorders are Specific Phobias, affecting 8.7% of the population, and Social Anxiety, affecting 6.8% of the population.

You likely know someone with an anxiety disorder.

Although there are several different types of anxiety disorders, each with unique features, there are some common symptoms that might be a clue that someone is suffering from an anxiety disorder:

Please note that it is not a good idea to attempt to diagnose or label a friend or family member. Only a mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder, as many disorders have overlapping features, and can go together with other types of mental health difficulties. However, if you notice signs of anxiety, or just feel that something is not quite right with someone that you care about, it’s a good idea to reach out to ask the person how they are feeling. You could start with something neutral and supportive like, “It seems like you haven’t been quite yourself lately. Is there something going on that you want to talk about?”

What can I do to help a family member or a close friend with anxiety?

It may also be helpful to:

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Finding A Doctor If You Think You Need Antidepressants

Finding treatment for depression is a big step and isnt always easy. If you think you need antidepressants, a healthcare professional can do screenings and talk about your symptoms with you to evaluate your situation.

• Talk with your primary care provider. They can screen for depression, and some prescribe antidepressants. Others may prescribe them and refer you to a counselor for talk therapy as well.
• Ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist. This is especially important if your depression is severe or you have other medical or mental health conditions.

If you dont have a primary care provider, there are many organizations that can help you find a psychiatrist or mental health professional near you. Here are a few:

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