Anxiety Disorder Treatment- Steady Care Medical

Did you know nearly 275 million people suffer from anxiety disorders globally? That’s equivalent to 4% of the global population with over 40 million adults from the United States. Well, the numbers are huge.

Considering the hectic lifestyles we all follow nowadays, stress and anxiety have become a part of the daily routine. The demand for psychologists is consistently surging. And yet there are people who do not have access to professional and quality anxiety disorder treatment.

As much as anxiety treatment is imperative, being completely aware of one’s particular medical condition comes first. In this blog, we share information on anxiety disorders,  self-help tactics, professional treatment and a lot more.

What Is an Anxiety Disorder? 

Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Individuals with anxiety tend to be more sensitive towards certain things, behaviors, and situations.

The disorder is generally characterized by consistent worry and overthinking on subjects that either are not relevant to the present or are related to everyday matters, such as health, relationships, finance, etc.

Anxiety patients also feel nervousness and danger in specific circumstances. While some people manage to cope with their symptoms, many fail to control their condition and hence, end up affecting their everyday life.

Symptoms 

Different types of anxiety disorders have almost common symptoms including:

• Overthinking
• Feeling nervous
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Irrational thoughts
• Rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Trembling
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Sweating
• Feeling tired or weak
• Inability to control thoughts and consistent worry
• Avoid things that might trigger anxiety

 Types

 Below are the five major types of anxiety disorders: 

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common type of anxiety disorder where the patient feels extremely worried or nervous more frequently about certain things including everyday matters, such as health, family, and finance. People with GAD stress over irrational things which end up affecting their smooth lifestyle.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is another common anxiety disorder affecting nearly 2.2 million adults in America. It is characterized by a pattern of unwanted/ irrational thoughts and fears/obsessions that cause certain repetitive behaviors known as compulsions. For instance, you must have seen people washing their hands frequently, rechecking whether the door is locked, arranging objects in the perfect manner, etc. These all are examples of people with OCD.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: Also known as Social Phobia, this disorder features a pattern of anxiety and fear in social interactions. People with social anxiety disorder have trouble talking & meeting new people, attending social gatherings and living with the fear of being judged by others.

• Panic Disorder: Panic Disorder is a condition known by unexpected and repeated episodes of fear or panic accompanied by symptoms, such as fast breathing, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or chest pain. People with panic disorder feel extreme terror when there’s no real danger.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): As the name suggests, PTSD occurs in individuals with a traumatic history including the loss of a loved one, shocking or dangerous events, etc. Patients with PTSD find it challenging to recover from a traumatic experience and often go through emotional and physical reactions.

Causes 

Frankly, the actual causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood. Factors like traumatic experiences and genetics can trigger anxiety disorders in people. In many cases, anxiety can be a result of an underlying health condition that can even worsen their condition. People with the following medical conditions can be more prone to getting diagnosed with anxiety disorders:

• Diabetes
• Drug users
• Chronic pain
• Brain tumors
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disorders
• Other mental health disorders
• Excessive stress buildup
• Stress associated with an illness
• Trauma

Anxiety Disorder Treatment 

Well, the treatment for anxiety disorders depends upon your particular condition. You may start by consulting your primary care provider and find out the cause of your anxiety symptoms. He will evaluate your condition and conclude the right treatment for you.

Once you uncover your disorder type, consult a mental health professional and know the best treatment plan for you. You may consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist depending upon the severity of your disorder or may consult both.

A Psychiatric treats more severe mental health disorders that primarily involve the use of medications while a psychologist approaches behavioral therapy and counseling to manage the disorder. The most common treatment plan for most of the anxiety disorders includes a combination of psychotherapy and medications.

Also Read: Natural Ways to Manage Your Anxiety Disorder

Psychotherapy 

Psychotherapy, also known as psychological counseling is a popular talk therapy used by psychologists to help patients manage their anxiety symptoms. Many people benefit from psychotherapy as it involves emotional support and specific techniques to reduce the symptoms.

CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is considered the most effective form of psychotherapy which involves working with a psychotherapist in a structured way. The therapist helps you understand your negative thinking pattern and triggers to eventually control them in the most effective manner. You learn how to manage your condition and to live a quality of life.

Medications 

Medications are generally prescribed on the type and severity of your mental health disorder. Certain antidepressants are advised to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. In various cases, doctors may also prescribe sedatives (benzodiazepines, or beta-blockers) to slow down the brain’s functions and provide relief to the patient. Rest, your doctor is the best person to ask about medications.

How to Ask Your Doctor for Anxiety Medication? 

Well, if you are already taking anxiety treatment, asking for medications should not be a hectic task. But if in any case, it is, just be direct and specific. There could be changes when you have researched a certain medication that you think is best for your condition but your doctor hasn’t recommended it. So, in such cases, you can politely ask your doctor about its usage and the reason why he hasn’t prescribed the medication. He will guide you the best.

Apart from this, you can also ask your doctor about the side effects of your medications and what you can do to manage them. Remember you are paying your doctor for your treatment, so, you have every right to ask anything about your treatment plan.

Here’s How You Can Cope With an Anxiety Disorder

A doctor can help you only to a certain extent. It is you that have to take the initiative every moment, every day. You must know the ways to cope with your anxiety. Below are a few things that you can do from your end to ensure that you are doing your best to manage your condition.

1. Stay Physically Active: Science suggests that keeping yourself physically active is the best way to lead a happier life. Exercising releases endorphins (the body’s naturally occurring painkillers) which reduce the stress levels in the body and uplifts mood.
2. Take a Healthy Diet: A diet containing essential nutrients is the key to a healthy mind and body. Eat foods that calm down anxiety and strengthen your inner system.
3. Avoid Smoking and Drinking: Available data suggests people who smoke and drink alcohol are more prone to getting diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
4. Take Proper Rest: People with anxiety disorders must have a consistent and uninterrupted sleep schedule for medications to work best for their conditioṇ.
5. Learn How to Manage Stress: Practice self-healing every day. Though learning how to manage stress demands time and consistent practice, it is the best thing you can do for yourself.
6. Focus on Things You Love: Studies show that people who do more of what they love are more likely to live a happier and longer life.
7. Spend Time With Your Loved Ones: People with anxiety should spend more time with their loved ones to seek emotional support which is very effective for improving their overall condition.
8. Socialize: Do not let your condition keep you away from all the fun that you can have. Socializing with your family and friends can have a great impact on your condition.

Doctors Who Treat Anxiety Near Me

Well, you can easily find a bunch of doctors near you who treat anxiety disorders. There are several offline as well as online clinics offering different types of treatment for a range of mental health disorders. If you live in California, you can contact the Steady Care Medical clinic for anxiety disorder treatment.

You could also perform a search on google for mental health professionals and see reviews to select the best one.

Bottom Line 

An anxiety disorder can affect the quality of your life. Simple everyday things can seem like heavy tasks. It’s your responsibility to take control and necessary precautions to manage your condition and ensure improvement. Make sure you seek the best treatment and follow it with all your heart to get the desired results. After all, we all deserve a healthy and fruitful life.