Panic And Anxiety Treatments: Go Free Yourself From Mental Bondage

Anxiety disorder includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety (SAD), Specific Phobia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Generalized anxiety disorder or GAD is an exaggerated, excessive anxiety and the worry of daily events. People suffering with generalized anxiety disorder can’t stop themselves from worrying about money, family matters, work, school or college. Generally, the worry of things is often out of proportion and unrealistic for the specific state of affairs.

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder are as follows:

•    Restlessness
•    An unrealistic view of troubles
•    Muscle tension
•    Excessive tension and worry
•    Irritability
•    Headaches
•    Nausea
•    Trembling
•    Difficulty concentrating
•    Sweating
•    Trouble falling or staying asleep
•    Tiredness

There are a number of anxiety treatment options available now a days. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or CBT is one such treatment option and is a short-term type of psychotherapy. In this therapy, the patient actively participates in the recovery process. This therapy teaches a sense of control to the patient and equips him or her with the skills to counter attack anxiety attacks.

The medical professionals who administer the cognitive-behavioral therapy are clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists. The principal goal of cognitive therapy is to alter or modify the disturbing and unwanted thought patterns. The primary goal of Behavior Therapy is to alter and achieve control over unwanted behavior.

Relaxation techniques are another great way to reduce panic and anxiety disorders. They empower the body and mind to fight stress and other anxiety symptoms. Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, slow breathing, isometric relaxation, self hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization. Relaxation techniques are safe and do not have any side effects on the body. With a little hand-holding initially, the patients can do these exercises on their own in no time.

With latest advancements in the medical world, there are many anxiety disorder medications available in the market. Doctors often prescribe the medications in conjunction any one of the above-mentioned treatments. Thus, the treatment of anxiety disorder can be done by either one method or a combination of two or more methods.

For anxiety disorders, doctors generally prescribe drugs that belong to the class of benzodiazepines. This class of drugs is commonly called as tranquilizers because they have a tendency to make your feel relaxed and calm.  Benzodiazepines reduce restlessness and muscle tension, which are the physical symptoms of GAD. In the market, commonly found benzodiazepines are Librium, Xanax, Ativan, and Valium. For chronic anxiety there is a stronger medication available, which is called BuSpar. Other antidepressants that are used in the treatment of anxiety disorder are Effexor and Paxil.

Benzodiazepines are very fast acting medications and are very successful in alleviating the mental and physical symptoms. Primarily, Benzodiazepines increase the activity of GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid. Chemically, gamma-aminobutyric acid is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for reducing brain activity.

Benzodiazepines are best for the treatment of anxiety disorders, but they have few side effects. The most important side effects are loss of coordination and drowsiness. In addition to these side effects, you may also have fatigue, state of confusion, memory loss, aggression, loss of balance and mental slowness. So, patients who are on benzodiazepines are advised not to take up any driving or any other tasks that involve the operation of heavy machinery. The dosage of these medicines depends on the severity of the anxiety attacks and the chemistry of the patient’s body.

Benzodiazepines can have harmful effects on the body if they are consumed along with certain substances such as alcohol. Benzodiazepines when combined with antihistamines, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, and sedatives increase the CNS or Central Nervous System depression. Though benzodiazepines are the best for the treatment of anxiety disorders, they can be very addictive. Scientists are still searching ways of improving the medications for anxiety disorders.

So, when the doctor prescribes benzodiazepines for the treatment of your anxiety disorder, you must always inform the doctor if you are taking any other medications. Sometimes, a little of anxiety or panic attacks help the patient, by making them more involved in the things that they are doing. But, no sooner the anxiety attack gathers momentum, the focus is lost and the concentration levels drop.