Anxiety is something we all have. It is a part of our physiological makeup and serves a distinct purpose. Rooted in the primitive “fight or flight” survival response, anxiety serves as our early warning system, alerting us to dangers we may not even be able to detect yet. Sometimes though, the body’s anxiety response gets out of balance, remaining in a heightened state of alert. It can come on for no apparent reason and results in what we commonly recognize as “anxiety”. It is when these episodes impact the ability to function that people start looking for relief.
Common Symptoms
When we think of anxiety, we usually think immediately of nervousness, fast pulse, and sweaty palms. You might even think of panic attacks. The fact is, anxiety can be all of those things, some of those things or something else. How anxiety is experienced is not the same for everyone. For some people, their anxiety response is relatively benign. For others, it can be overwhelming.
Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety gone awry include:
- Feeling nervous or tense
- Feelings of impending danger or doom
- Sweating or trembling
- Increase in heart rate and breathing
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping due to worry
- Somatic complaints such as GI issues, headaches
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Avoidance of things that trigger anxiety
Difficulty with anxiety can significantly impact your physical and emotional well-being. The good news is that there are solutions. Options can include medications, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and stress management.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is very effective in treating anxiety. In fact, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the leading approach for treating anxiety. CBT works by identifying and addressing how one’s thoughts and behaviors interact to create anxiety. CBT can help you to understand your patterns and learn new ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to potential anxiety triggers.
Medication
There are times when medication may be helpful in managing anxiety. While the specific type of medication will depend on individual needs, options may include benzodiazepines for short term relief, anxiolytics like buspirone or Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) anti-depressants for longer term symptom management. Each type of medication has its own set of risks and benefits. You and your provider can determine whether medication should be part of your treatment plan.
Lifestyle and Relaxation
Research has consistently found that living a healthy lifestyle and managing stress can have a profound effect on your overall health and wellness. Things like getting exercise, eating and sleeping well, sleeping well, and practicing relaxation have been shown to have a positive effect on anxiety levels. Stress-reduction and relaxation strategies, in particular, have been shown to significantly improve anxiety for many people. Regular practice of yoga, Tai Chi and mindfulness meditation can help you to better manage your stress and anxiety and may have additional health benefits.
The good news for people with anxiety is that you don’t have to suffer alone. For many, self-help strategies are enough to keep symptoms in check. But, when you find that you’re struggling, professional help is available. Dr. Storch and his team at Solstice Consulting Psychiatry are here to help. Click here for scheduling information.