If anxiety and fear are getting in the way of living your life how you want, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. However, today there are many and varied ways of treating anxiety attacks that can alleviate your symptoms and allow you take back control of your life.
First of all seek medical advice.
You need to eliminate any medical cause for your anxiety attacks so your first call is to your doctor. You need to know what you are dealing with. Not all doctors are up to date with anxiety disorders, so be prepared to ask to be referred to another practitioner if you are not satisfied.
Complimentary treatments.
You may want to try some non-medical treatments, particularly if your anxiety attacks are fairly mild or not firmly established. In mild cases, these may be sufficient.
Technique 1: Exercise is a natural anxiety and stress reliever. Studies have shown that just 30 minutes of medium intensity exercise 4 or 5 times a week can relieve mild symptoms of anxiety. This is because exercise increases serotonin levels (the feel-good hormone). You will have the added benefit of being healthier.
Technique 2: Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, controlled breathing and visualization can increase feelings of emotional well-being as well as helping the muscles to relax so you are less tense.
Technique 3: A nutritional diet that is high in complex carbohydrate and protein will help you to be more energetic and clearheaded. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, nuts and pulses, and drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Technique 4: Hypnosis puts you into a state of deep relaxation, when the therapist can incorporate different therapeutic techniques to help you uncover your fears and look at them in different ways.
Medication for anxiety disorders
Pharmaceutical medications, including some anti-depressants and benzodiazepines, can be used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Your doctor will prescribe these, but be sure to ask about possible side-effects.
Counseling
Your doctor may recommend you see a counselor who may be a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. These practitioners will be able to help you with strategies for dealing with your anxiety attacks.