Anxiety Treatments for Depression Anxiety

For the past one hundred years there has been much debate and theory offered about what stress is and what stress is not. We each know intuitively what stress is to us because we all experience it.

Everyone responds differently to stressful events. That stress response is part instinct and part to do with how we think.

When we have too much stress in our lives it leads to a medical symptom called "anxiety" or "depression" and anxiety treatments are highly recommended.

Anxiety disorder, also referred to as depression anxiety disorder, which affects many people on a daily basis. Anxiety can co-exist with other disorders as well, such as depression and many of the same antidepressant medications are used for anxiety treatments.

The symptoms experienced by persons with anxiety or panic disorder can be different and occur with varying severity, which is why anxiety treatments must be individualized for each patient.

Most Common Anxiety Symptoms

Some of the most common anxiety symptoms that people with experience are heart palpitations, fast heart rate, numbness and tingling in arms and hands, shortness of breath, dizziness, disassociation with present surroundings, terror, and fear of impending doom.

These feelings are all too real to people who are experiencing an anxiety or panic attack. There is also great fear afterward of another attack; agoraphobia is common and many of these people do not want to leave their homes for fear of having an attack in public in front of strangers. Home is safer and anxiety attacks are less likely to happen in more comfortable surroundings.

Anxiety treatments can be very simple if contributing factors, such as caffeine intake or use of other stimulants that are contributing to the panic anxiety attacks.

Stress Triggers

Stress is another common denominator that plays a significant role in anxiety disorder. Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands, which in turn stimulates the "fight or flight" reaction in our bodies. Eventually, neurotransmitters in the brain can't keep up with the continued assault and a chemical imbalance results.

Serotonin, norephinephrine, and dopamine are the three neurotransmitters that have been found to play a significant role in mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. The newer anti-depressants make more of these chemicals available in the brain alleviating symptoms, which is why anxiety treatment usually involves use of an anti-depressant.

Anti-anxiolytics are also prescribed to control symptoms and feelings of panic that can still occur until the anti-depressant starts to become effective, which can be two to four weeks from initiation of treatment.

Most patients respond very well to anxiety treatments; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications when incorporated with psychotherapy and some life style modification are very beneficial.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are also a great treatment for anxiety and can be done any where any time. Slow rhythmic breathing will slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure as well as enhance relaxation and calm feelings of anxiety.

One relaxation technique you can try is "The Five Finger Exercise":

In a relaxing chair, sit back and take a few deep breaths.

Next, establish an easy, regular breathing pattern.

Take in a deep breath and as you exhale, touch your index finger to your thumb. Imagine a time when your body felt a healthy tired, like how you felt after a good tennis match, or just stepping out of a hot tub or sauna....

Now, take another good deep breath, and as you exhale, touch middle finger to your thumb. Imagine a time when you had an especially loving experience, when you felt warm and safe. Take a moment to really feel that same feeling as vividly as you had experienced it....

Next, take another deep breath, and as you exhale, touch your ring finger to your thumb and imagine a time when you performed especially well, when you aced something that was important to you. Take that feeling of accomplishment in now and feel it as fully now as you did then...

Lastly, take one more very deep breath in and as you exhale, touch your little finger to your thumb and as you do, imagine seeing the most beautiful place you have ever experienced...or imagine how you would feel being there now...Take a moment to fully absorb the fullness of what you feel being there.... and when you're entirely ready, and bringing with you all of these same feelings for the rest of your day, come back...

This is one of the best anxiety treatments that can help you relax and aspire to a peaceful state of mind.

Other effective anxiety treatments include biofeedback, meditation, and exercise, as well as stress reduction, lowering caffeine intake, or any other chemical or substance that is being ingested that could be a contributing factor.

So if you or someone you know is suffering from panic disorder, get help with effective anxiety treatments.

For more information about anxiety treatments that work consult a mental health care provider to get back into life and stop being paralyzed by panic.

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