Anxiety disorders are the commonest psychiatrist disorders of the world. The ailment can take any one of the following forms -
* Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)* Obsessive and Compulsive Disorder (OCD)* Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)* Phobias* Social Disorders
Out of all these, the commonest occurrence is of GAD. OCD is mostly of a genetic origin while PTSD is the effect of one's past trauma. Phobias are more difficult to generalize so far as causes are concerned as their causes are more diffuse.
A great deal of research and scientific studies are going on to unveil the secrets of the human mind. The Diagnostic and Statistic Manual IV (DSM IV) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10) have done a great deal of work in setting guidelines for the diagnosis of these ailments. The Diagnostic and Statistic Manual IV (DSM IV) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10) are responsible for setting the guidelines for the diagnosis of human mind related disorders.
Anxiety disorders truly disorder life. They increase pessimism in the patient and it becomes difficult for him to think or act positively. The overall symptoms of the disease enervate and tire the patient.
The psychotherapist in your locality is the person to go to if you think you need Anxiety disorder help. Sometimes, all anxiety disorder patients need is a good listener to cure them - something what psychotherapists most certainly are. Even a few sessions may prove helpful. Another trick the psychotherapist can suggest is Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which aims to improve thought analysis and will power in the patient. CBT occurs in two sub-parts - the patient becomes aware of his thought process and secondly, he tries to control the way his body reacts to his panic. CBT is one of the most important therapies used in treating panic disorder patients.
At times CBT is not used alone, but along with biofeedback technique. Biofeedback means attaching several small portable instruments to the patient's body which measure body variables like heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature and sweat gland activity. As the patient's panic mounts, he observes how his heartbeat increases and his blood pressure rises. This creates an indelible impression on his mind and eggs him to try and control these reactions by controlling his thoughts. At times, the biofeedback technique is used in combination with CBT. In this, the patient's heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature and sweat gland activity are constantly measured by attaching to his body small machines for doing so. So now as the patient goes into a panic attack, he can see for himself how his body functions touch abnormality. Seeing this repeatedly makes the patient realize how important it is to control his panic-stricken thoughts.
It is also possible to get anxiety disorder help by making some changes in the way one lives life. For example:
* Controlling food intake - reduction in the intake of caffeine containing food, like chocolates, tea, coffee, soft drinks etc helps curb anxiety attacks
*Relaxation & Exercise - The antithesis to anxiety is relaxation. Several techniques for the same are available, some of which are -
# Deep Sleep - it is the best mode of relaxation, and relaxation is in itself the best treatment for anxiety disorder. Some poet has correctly called sleep as 'Tired Nature's Sweet Restorer' which it is.
# Long hot baths, steam baths, spa treatments - water has the power to flush away negativity.
# Massage - the stress and anxiety can be kneaded out of your system by trained massage specialists. To help them, a huge variety of aromatic and ayurvedic oils can be bought from the market. Also popular are Chinese systems of special massages Acupressure and Acupuncture; these are also helpful in relaxing your mind and body.
# Yoga and Thai Chi are those physical exercises which have been employed in the treatment of anxiety.Anxiety attack medications are usually used in addition with some other therapeutic method instead of being used singly. This is so because anxiety is a psychotic disorder with the mind being the worst affected and hence a behavioural therapy must form part of the treatment. Also, drugs usually prescribed as Anxiety attack medications are downed by having side-effects. They may also make the patient get addicted to them, some can get abused by the takers also and some also cause withdrawal symptoms.
The major classes under which anxiety attack medications fall are:
* Benzodiazepines - alprazolam, clonzepam, diazepam* Buspirone* Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine* Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Venlafaxine, Tramadol* Tricyclic Antidepressants - Amitriptyline, Trimipramine
Many of these drug classes are tranquilizers or sedatives while SSRIs and SNRIs function by changing the level of two brain chemicals - norepinephrine and serotonin the hormone of happiness.
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