Stress Management

Dealing With AnxietyProducts Relating to 'Dealing With Anxiety'

Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety and worry are basic emotions that we all experience at times, and some more than others, and there are those of us who adapt to high levels of anxiety whilst others find the strain just too much.

If we did not feel anxious in certain situations then we could well place ourselves in danger. For instance, we could walk off the edge of a cliff if we did not feel anxious about the consequences of taking such a step.

Everyone experiences anxiety when faced with a stressful situation such as an interview, an exam or illness which is a natural emotion to feel at such periods in ones life. However, some people experience symptoms of anxiety when they are not in a stressful situation, which is abnormal and can interfere with everyday life.

The brain sends messages to parts of the body to prepare for the "fight or flight" response. The heart beat increases and breathing becomes rapid. Stress hormones such as adrenalin is released by the brain. The following symptoms can be experienced:

• abdominal discomfort
• diarrhoea
• dry mouth
• rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• tightness or pain in chest
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• frequent urination
• difficulty swallowing

This can result in loss of or broken sleep, anger, irritability, lack of concentration and loss of control in thought and action

There are several ways of dealing with anxiety and some work better than others, but it is worthy trying them all until you find the one that works for you.

Once your symptoms have been recognised then you can begin to work on dealing with anxiety .

Self-Help:

Relaxation techniques can have a real positive effect by helping to control breathing. Exercise can also help to focus the mind away from the problems that are causing the anxiety. Talking to people in support groups is another positive method of dealing with anxiety - "a problem shared" - it really does help to know that you are not suffering alone and you can learn from others what other methods they use.

Counselling:

This sometimes works for people with anxiety or those with minor depression or those who have been through a traumatic period. It involves talking through the problem with a counsellor who assists in focusing on what they want to do and how to achieve their goal.

Medicines:

Although medicines can assist people in dealing with anxiety disorder - they should only be used short-term, that is, up to 10 days. Diazepam are helpful in relieving short-term stress-related anxiety. Antidepressants such as paroxetine may be prescribed for generalised anxiety disorders and social phobia.

Relaxation:

There are several relaxation methods to help in dealing with anxiety disorder. Exercise is a great way to loosen your muscles and can help you think more clearly and positively. Both Yoga and Tai Chi are excellent ways to improve the body, mind and spirit. Massage is one of the most reliable ways to relax and unwind and combined with essential oils will only enhance the experience. Meditation can help refocus the mind and can aid in dealing with problems, helping you see things afresh and will enable you to deal with them more efficiently.

Diet:

Cutting out caffeine from our diet can also help in dealing with anxiety disorder. Caffeine speeds up the heart rate and causes insomnia.

There are many avenues to explore when dealing with anxiety and some work better than others. Whichever method you use for dealing with anxiety will bring about a positive change enabling you to cope better when life presents a challenge.

Article Published: Monday 11th December 2006