In this day and age of juggling work and family, people are under more stress than ever. What may be a temporary bump in the road for some, can be downright debilitating for others. When people refer to anxiety they are often referencing a “feeling” that they get under exorbitant amounts of stress. And we have all experienced what is considered to be anxiety at one time or another. Anxiety disorder, however, is something very different; a general term that medical professionals use to describe a variety of psychological conditions related to fear, anxiety, and phobias.

Most noticeable, anxiety disorder can interfere with everyday activities, getting in the way of work responsibilities, social activities, and personal relationships. Even the most commonplace activities – shopping, driving; even leaving the house – can seem insurmountable to those suffering from an anxiety disorder. The conditions associated with anxiety disorder are numerous and not everyone feels them acutely as others. But these conditions are considered to be a disorder if they are ongoing, irrational, and interfere with daily life.

People who suffer from anxiety in any capacity will report varied emotions when faced with situations that activate their fight or flight response. This feeling of heightened anxiety can also be described as fear – an emotion that the body reacts to by releasing adrenalin throughout the body. When we are not able to calm this reaction – when the fear or anxiety takes over – the adrenalin takes over as well and a host of physiological reactions ensue. Those with anxiety report increased heart rate, sweating, the inability to catch their breath, and paralyzing fear.

Thankfully, there are a number of excellent medications on the market today that have been designed to help people who suffer from anxiety. But in order to treat sufferers appropriately, it is necessary to determine the anxiety disorder subcategory from which the patient suffers.

Generalized anxiety disorder refers to ongoing and persistent fear and anxiety that comes and goes with no particular catalyst. A sufferer of generalized anxiety may feel a heightened state of awareness, fear, and worry most of the time – manifesting itself in a host of physical symptoms including body tension, sleep disorders, headaches, stomach ailments, and heart palpitations.

Panic disorder refers to episodes of anxiety generally provoked by one or several catalysts. The sufferer reacts to a particular stress by experiencing heightened anxiety and panic translated to often severe physical symptoms that sometimes include hyperventilation, dizziness, shaking, and incapacitating fear. Many new sufferers of panic disorder have confused the symptoms of the condition with those experienced during a heart attack.

Social anxiety is anxiety experienced in any social situation, rendering the sufferer incapable of being within groups of people without feeling embarrassed or scrutinized. Often the anxiety is so great that those suffering from this disorder avoid most social interaction.

Phobias also fall under the umbrella of anxiety and include agoraphobia – where sufferers limit their visitation to places because of their fear of anxiety surfacing; many agoraphobics have difficulty leaving their homes for this reason. Other phobias are included in this subcategory as well; in essence, a phobia is an irrational and ongoing fear of a particular place, situation, or object. Often, the fear is so great that people will avoid the catalyst altogether.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is anxiety that is manifested through compulsive behavior – activities that the sufferer can not help but complete. Such disorders vary in severity and circumstance; those who suffer most strongly experience very real feelings of dread if they do not complete certain repetitive, often ritualistic behaviors – checking locks, counting steps, etc. Often the OCD sufferer is completely aware of how irrational their behavior is but they are unable to stop doing it nonetheless.

There are many comprehensive medications on the market today that have made significant strides in managing and even eliminating many disorders of this kind. Those who live with an anxiety disorder no longer have to suffer at the hand of their irrational thoughts; with proper medical diagnosis, supervision, and pharmaceutical intervention if necessary, anxiety need no longer run the show.

As the world knows anxiety is a normal response to danger. Everyone has felt anxious for something at some point in their lives. There is however times when anxiety turns into something else, this being a mental condition known as anxiety disorders. People who have anxiety disorders are some times afraid to get treatment for their anxiety as they seem to feel ashamed of having a mental condition. However anxiety treatments are valid medical remedies for a complaint that can affect your life. There is therefore nothing to be ashamed of having anxiety disorders or being treated for them.

There are a variety of different treatment options available for those suffering with anxiety and panic disorders ranging from prescriptive medication to complimentary and alternative medicines. While these choices largely depend on individuals preference and specific needs, it is important to recognize that a treatment course which works well for a particular individual does not necessarily mean that it is the right course of treatment for another individual. Therefore, you should seek assistance from your doctor or psychiatric consultant in diagnosing the specific concerns or complaints so that you can embark on the right course of treatment for the anxiety and panic disorders.

You might want to ask your doctor what the normal anxiety treatments are and their side effects and you should also find out what their effect will be on your lifestyle as well. The alternative remedies may not be completely proven by medical science as anxiety treatments, but a number of people state that these alternative treatments do work at providing relief from anxiety symptoms.

Most conventional anxiety treatments involve either therapy or drug-based. Drug-based anxiety treatments, being the most common treatment for immediate relief, aim to eliminate the anxiety symptoms by changing body chemistry to lower the stress or anxiety levels. Even though Anti-depressants and tranquillizers such as Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Beta-blockers, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Buspirones can be fast-acting for providing relief for anxiety, they are not a viable treatment for the long run for reason that anxiety is a behavioural condition that is difficult, if not impossible, to be eliminated by using drugs.



Alternate anxiety treatments include the age old methods of Acupuncture and Ayurveda. Both of these eastern anxiety treatments bring the symptoms of anxiety back into control by rebalancing your bodys internal energies. These treatments use a number of essential oils, poultices, herbal remedies and sterilized acupuncture needles to achieve that effect. These alternative anxiety treatments not only control the effects of anxiety in your body they also have the ability to completely cure your anxiety disorder symptoms.

It is not uncommon that Gemstone therapy has been increasingly used for healing purposes for a number of complaints or even relaxation from stress. This therapy has also been adopted as an alternative treatment for controlling anxiety disorder. It focuses on rebalancing the body emotions and relieving the negative energies by absorbing the healing power of the gemstone which is placed on the specific area of the body. The healing effect is unique to different gemstones, each of which can be identified by its unique colour.

The choices of alternative therapies and anxiety management techniques are not only numerous, they can be very diverse in nature which extends from exposure therapy, relaxation techniques and supplements, self esteem therapy, cognitive therapy to anxiety education, attention training, nutrition, exercise, assertion and so forth. As long as the core anxiety can be addressed in a structured and supportive anxiety treatment course, full recovery is a certainty.

Life normally includes anxiety at different points. However, if you are constantly anxious for no reason you can figure out, and if your anxiety is difficult to control and long-lasting, you may have an anxiety disorder(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Anxiety-Disorder.html). The components in this natural treatment formula are designed to relieve anxiety as well as general nervousness. Included are powerful botanicals which have been proven to ease tension and facilitate peaceful sleep. St. John’s Wort Extract, Hops Extract, and Valerian Extract are some of the botanicals included in this formula.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. These include restlessness (as well as fatigue); trouble concentrating; irritability; muscle tension and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

When people reach middle age, the gel-like vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters, and it is more common for people who are nearsighted, have undergone eye surgery, have had laser surgery of the eye, or have had inflammation inside the eye.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, and also, contrarily, fatigue. Other symptoms are difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort can facilitate a steady mood and support mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Skullcap Extract has historically been used as a sedative for people with nervous tension and insomnia, and may therefore be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Anxiety-Disorder.html). Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. People with anxiety disorder (also known as Nervousness or Panic Attacks) are often deficient in essential nutrients, including Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of enzymes that protect against free radicals caused by anxiety, and may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder.

The ingredients in this formula include St. John’s Wort Extract. St. John’s Wort has a positive effect on mood and mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract act as sedatives and can serve to induce sleep and relieve anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before going to sleep. Historically, Skullcap extract has been used to calm those with nervous tension and insomnia. Therefore it is likely to be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder. Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. Anxiety is sometimes exacerbated when the body is lacking essential nutrients. Lack of such nutrients as Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins may contribute to anxiety. Enzymes that protect against free radicals contain Zinc, which may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Anxiety-Disorder.html).

The best way to cure anxiety and panic is to understand the anxiety condition. It is normal for people to experience feelings of anxiety and panic from to time. It makes us cope from very stressful situations, however, when anxiety becomes too much and turns into irrational fear of everyday circumstances, it becomes a debilitating anxiety disorder.

Unlike short-lived, mild anxiety caused by a stressful event, anxiety disorder lasts at least 6 months and may worsen if not properly and immediately treated.

The best way to cure panic and anxiety feelings is to understand the anxiety condition. Anxiety is a troubled state of mind. Anxiety results from fearful thinking of future events or situations. It is a condition that is not accidental, unknown, or uncontrollable.

Anxiety condition occurs for specific reason and have underlying basis why it persists. Education is an important way to help attain anxiety cure. Here are some of the helpful tips towards anxiety cures which may aid in taking control over your own emotions again.

Anxiety And Panic Cure One – Relaxation techniques – a person feeling anxious most of the time has trouble relaxing, however, learning how to release muscle tension is an important anxiety cure. Relaxation techniques include regular muscle relaxation, meditation, abdominal breathing, and isometric relaxation exercise.

Anxiety And Panic Cure Two – Proper breathing techniques- the physical symptoms of anxiety maybe triggered by hyperventilation or rapid breathing, which raises oxygen levels and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. A person with anxiety condition should know how to breathe from their diaphragm, and not from their chest, to prevent against hyperventilation. This technique can help you calm down while feeling anxious.

Anxiety And Panic Cure Three – Cognitive therapy- this technique focuses on altering patterns of thinking and beliefs that are associated with ad trigger anxiety. The basis of cognitive therapy is that ideas can trigger thoughts, which then trigger feelings, results manifest trough action.

Cognitive therapy strategies should include rational self talk, training on attention, reality testing cognitive challenging, and cognitive restructuring. This means monitoring your self talk, challenging fears and beliefs, and checking out the negative thoughts in terms of their reality.

Anxiety and Panic Cure Four – Behavior therapy- the major component of behavior therapy is exposure. Exposure therapy involves deliberately confronting your fears in order to desensitize yourself. Exposure lets you to redefine the danger or fear aspect of the situation or trigger.

Anxiety and Panic Cure Five – Medication- is important to see medication as a short term measure, not a solution to anxiety disorder. Studies show that psychological therapies are much more effective than drugs in managing anxiety disorder in the long run. Brief course of tranquilizers or antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to help you deal with the symptoms.

Anxiety and Panic Cure Six – Dietary adjustments – inadequate intake of vitamin B and calcium can worsen anxiety symptoms. Nicotine, caffeine, and stimulant drugs should be avoided for they trigger your adrenaline glands to release adrenaline, one of the main stress chemical.

Anxiety and Panic Cure Seven – Exercise burns up stress chemicals and promotes relaxation. Plan to do some physical activities at least 3 to 4 times a week and vary your activities to avoid boredom.

There is always an effective anxiety and panic cure, however, the level of recovery depends on the participation and willingness of the person with anxiety condition. The sooner you can get treatment, the bigger your chance of getting better and be back to normal health.

(c) 2008 Hailey Harris

Various Symptoms/Signs Of Anxiety Disorder

In a medical terminology, anxiety disorder usually refers to a state of nervousness or uneasiness. Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders. It is basically defined as a critical disturbance in the mental state that can ultimately lead to chronic anxiety. It usually arises due to work pressure, highly constrained work schedules which tend to disturb the mood or behavior of a person. However, if proper anxiety treatments are not followed well in time, it can even harm the mental state of a person.

A person suffering from anxiety disorder often experiences a long-drawn-out feeling of distress or fright and discomfortness. This disorder can further create a bad impact on relationships with friends, family and the colleagues.

Various Symptoms / Signs of Anxiety disorder:

So far researchers have conducted an in-depth study to determine the precise reason for anxiety disorders. Finally, they have concluded that this trouble mainly arises due to the biological factors along with various personal situations faced by an individual. This disorder not only affects the individual’s behavior, thoughts, action, emotions but also the physical health. It is so common that individual anxiety disorder can be seen. Moreover, an individual can suffer even more than one anxiety disorder at a time. Anxiety disorder is accompanied by a series of other troubles as well including depression, substance abuse or eating disorders.

Various symptoms/signs of anxiety disorder include:

Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is basically a type of anxiety disorder. Such a type of disorder is usually experienced in the unexpected panic attacks that come along with the feeling of fear. This attack can also affect the physical health of a person, thus resulting in breathing problems, severe pain in chest, heart strokes, and fear of death as well as acute pain in the abdomen.

Agoraphobia , with or without panic disorder: This is basically a condition in which a person fails to avoid or escape from a panic attack. OCD or Obsessive ‘Compulsive Disorder: This is an uncontrollable condition in which an individual suffers from constant unnecessary thoughts, commonly termed as obsessions and compulsions (or rituals). A typical instance of obsessions includes doubtful temperament, serious concerns regarding contamination and much more. The various instances of compulsions include counting, checking and the systematic organization of things.

PTSD or Post-Traumatic stress disorder: Post-traumatic disorder is usually the consequence of a horrible or a terrific experience that might have took place in one’s life. Most often the victims of war, natural disaster or child abduction may experience this stress disorder. The general symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, rudeness in temperament, feelings of fear as well as frustrations.

Phobias:

Such an anxiety disorder is usually categorized into two groups:

Social Phobia: It is also sometimes termed as social anxiety disorder, in which a person fears to deal with social situations. Not only this, but he may also feel conscious & embarrassed to deal with gatherings and also fails to lead a normal life.

Specific Phobia: In this type of anxiety disorder, a person is often beset with unreasonable fears that are quite impossible to control. The extreme stage of specific phobia is one when a person designates his fear as illogical one. The typical instances include terror of heights, open spaces as well as the fear of flying.

GAD: An acronym GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety disorder. The general symptoms include headache, loss of fatigue & nausea. The exaggerated worries related to daily routine activities & events disorder are the main reason behind this type of anxiety disorder.

The hustle and bustle of modern life has caused a near epidemic of chronic anxiety. Many experts believe that upwards of 50% of the population suffers periodic bouts of debilitating anxiety symptoms, and all too often, doctors attempt to treat these conditions with medications. Many of these anti-anxiety medications have detrimental side effects and even withdrawal symptoms, but fortunately, there are also natural remedies for anxiety that can calm the inner turmoil and restore balance to life.

While many experts dispute the idea that anxiety is a “disorder,” nearly everyone agrees that dealing with a chronic anxiety problem reduces our ability to function effectively in the world, and can even negatively affect the immune system.

The most common symptoms of anxiety include irritability, chronic worrying, insomnia, feelings of panic, grinding teeth, tightness in the chest, heart palpitations, shallow breathing and stomach discomfort. It is important to note that these are just a few of the more common symptoms; a complete list of possible anxiety symptoms would likely number well into the thousands, as every unique individual experiences anxiety in a slightly different way.

In North America, the most common way to treat anxiety issues involves the use of medications. But natural remedies for anxiety are often more effective, and have the advantage of not producing the unwanted side effects or withdrawal symptoms. The following herbs and natural remedies have all shown promise in decreasing, or in some cases eliminating, anxiety.

Kava. Kava is a natural herb that has been used as a remedy for anxiety for decades in Europe. This natural treatment has been studied in several university sponsored trials in Europe, and the evidence suggests that it can be effective in controlling anxiety. However, because of recent concerns about Kava’s effect on the liver, the herb is now less frequently used in Europe, though it is still available in the United States in lower dosages.

Skullcap. Skullcap is a natural herb that has traditionally been used as a remedy for anxiety. Although there is only limited research available on its effectiveness, one double-blind, placebo controlled study found that skullcap was effective in reducing anxiety levels.

Passionflower. Passionflower is another herb that shows promise in treating chronic anxiety. One clinically controlled study compared passion flower to Oxazepam in 36 individuals reporting generalized anxiety symptoms. Although the results of the trial showed that Oxezepam relieved anxiety more quickly, Passionflower was found to be equally effective over a four-week period. Passionflower also showed no significant side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

Melatonin. Melatonin supplements have been studied extensively for their ability to promote restful sleep. In the past few years, melatonin has also been the subject of anxiety research. One study found that melatonin was as effective as prescription anti-anxiety medication in relieving pre-surgery stress in women. Smaller studies have shown similar results for both women and men.

Besides these and other natural remedies for anxiety, there are also alternative treatment options including acupuncture, biofeedback, relaxation therapies, meditation, guided visualization, and aromatherapy. Unfortunately, most of these alternatives have not been studied at length, and therefore it is difficult to assess exactly how effective any specific treatment may be. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that relaxation therapy and guided visualization can significantly improve both chronic anxiety and panic attacks. Used in conjunction with other natural remedies for anxiety, these alternative treatments show great promise.

Anxiety can affect groups and whole societies as well as individuals. There has been, for almost a decade in the United States, a mass fear of terrorist attack, brought on by the 2001 attack of 9/11. It is difficult, however, to maintain a high level of anxiety over a long period without it being considered a disorder. This is why it was decided, during World War II, that soldiers cannot be kept in the continual anxiety of combat situations for more than a year without suffering serious mental damage. Get your motor running, since laziness will not help you get rid of anxiety and panic. Most people in the world are lazy, since they fail to remove the obstacles in their mind that causes them anxiety and panic. For instance, if I told you a lie right now that you heard somewhere else, would you verify it. Most times people will listen, go with it, and let it go. Later it comes out and they wonder why it is poses an issue in the mind. The reason is the person was too darn lazy to check the facts. Anxiety and stress it can be controlled and you have the gain energy it yourself . This is the part of your life will be influenced dramatically. The gaze is very used to social anxiety. Emotional and physical symptoms show your ability to function in your daily life activities. Anxiety disorder it can be nasty and devastating. .The music is various cause for the anxiety . Cedar wood oil is the powerful alternative medicine of anxiety. Regular exercise can help relieve stress, depression and anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins into your system and will give you a natural boost. It will also provide you with a break from brooding and dwelling upon problems and troubles – but only if you perform the right kind of exercises. Avoid: Exercises that allow you to brood (weight lifting, jogging, treadmills) and perform exercises that require your full concentration. Competitive sports such as squash, tennis, badminton and circuit training are all excellent examples. If you’re feeling the symptoms of anxiety, it is a good idea to get a professional diagnosis. Emotional symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, an inability to sleep and an irrational fear of social situations. Physical symptoms of anxiety include headaches, shortness of breath, a tight chest and chest pains, a racing heart, sweating at inappropriate times, nausea, cramps, and loose stools. I’ve experienced all of these, and more! Anxiety panic disorder can be stopped if given the proper treatment. There are help available and things you can do to manage panic attacks and here are some helpful tips: Healthy lifestyle. Changing your lifestyle and reducing stress will help you beat anxiety and panic attacks. Maintaining a healthy, less demanding and simpler lifestyle will create a well balanced mind and body. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are some of the changes that you need to do to take better control of your body and mind. There are various types for curing anxity. Proper medical treatment is best way to cure this problem. Another is yoga , meditation, exercise, positive thinking. Physiocial theropy is important factor in treatment of anxiety. People with anxiety disorder who have already received treatment must give the details to current doctor.

Anxiety symptoms can help you determine if you have anxiety to be able to make preventive measures.

Every time we feel worried about certain things or fear about the possibilities of what might happen if, a lot of ifs- these are what we call anxiety. Anxiety is a brief, persistent, and extreme feeling of worry, uncertainties, and fear over a tense situation, and fortunately, it is controllable. As a matter of fact, anxiety is reversible, and can be successfully treated naturally if found out through the anxiety symptoms. An anxiety condition is not an accidental, unidentified, and uncontrollable illness, even if it feels like it is. Anxiety conditions come out for precise reasons and have specific reasons and underlying explanations why they continue.

To be able to know if you have anxiety, you should know first the symptoms. Here is some of the anxiety symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. And since each individual has different chemical composition, anxiety symptoms and their intensity may vary from person to person. The anxiety symptoms we may experience physically are:

Body:

-Burning skin sensation

-Persistent fatigue

-Electric shock feeling

-Excess of energy, you feel you can’t relax

-Feel like you are going to faint

-Feeling cold

-Hyperactivity

-Increased or decreased sex drive

-Muscle twitching

-Tightness or stiffness of shoulder, back, and neck

-Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, face, head, or any other parts of your body

-Persistent muscle tension

-Jumpy

-Too much sweating

-Trembling, shaking

-Urgency to urinate, frequent urination

-Weak legs, arms, muscles

Chest:

-Chest pain or discomfort, tight chest, or tight chest muscles

-Concern about the heart

-Fell like you have difficulty breathing

-Shortness of breath

-Frequent yawning to try to catch your breath

-Palpitations

-Irregular heart rhythms, flutters or skipped beats, tickle in the chest that makes you cough

Head:

-Dizziness or light-headedness

-Frequent headaches, migraine headaches

-Head, neck, or shoulder tightness or stiffness

-Overexcitement

-Shooting pains in the face, scalp, or head,

-Sore jaw that feels like a toothache

-Clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth

Emotions:

-Dramatic mood swings

-Emotional blunting

-Wrong feeling of emotions

-Frequently feel like crying for no reason

Mind:

-Fear of going crazy, losing control, fear of impending doom

-Frequent feeling of being overwhelmed, or that there is too much to handle or do

-Having difficulty concentrating

-Racing thoughts or rapid thinking

-Obsession about sensations or getting better

-You feel like you are carrying the world on your shoulders

Hearing:

-Irregular or frequent reduced hearing or deafness in one or both ears

-Low rumbling sounds

-Ringing in the ears

Mood:

-Irritable

-Depression

-Feeling like things is not real or dreamlike

-Have no feeling about the things you used to

-Feel like you are pressured all the time

Sight:

-Distorted, foggy, or blurred vision

-Itchy, dry, or watery eyes

-Eye tricks, seeing things on the corners of your eyes that aren’t there, stars, flashes

-Eyes’ sensitivity to light

-Spots in the vision,

-Flashing lights when eyes closed

-Deep perception feels wrong

Mouth/Stomach

-Constant craving for sweets

-Chocking or difficulty swallowing

-Constipation or diarrhea

-Dry mouth

-Feeling like your tongue is swollen

-Frequent upset stomach, bloating, gaseous

-Lack of appetite or taste -Nausea or the thought of eating makes you nauseous

-Tight throat, lump in throat

Sleep:

-Difficulty falling or staying asleep

-Frequent bad, odd, or crazy dreams

-Hearing sounds in your head that can awaken you

-Insomnia or waking up ill in the middle of the night

-Waking up in a panic attack

-Feeling worse in the mornings

These are some of the prevalent anxiety symptoms, but the symptoms on the list are incomplete and not limited as to what is listed above. It is common for normal people to experience or two of anxiety symptoms, and some may experience them all.

Anxiety and depression are familiar conditions to us, but are also among the most serious illnesses in the world.

There are times when we feel anxious and moody. So what? We all go through the same things from time to time, don’t we? Anxiety and depression are normal part of life. Who has not studied for an exam without having test anxiety, and then scored much higher for it? Anxiety can keep us alert. Depression, on the other hand, can slow us down, giving us time to reflect and recollect ourselves. In other words, anxiety and depression express moods that are familiar to everybody.

But, when anxiety and depression seem to come from nowhere, last for weeks without relief, and get in the way of everyday activities, then we are not talking ordinary moods anymore; they are now illnesses. Anxiety and depressions are one of the most common mental illnesses in the world today.

People with anxiety disorder may have several physical symptoms, like trembling, sweating, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, palpitation, dry mouth, cold and clammy hands. Emotionally, they are apprehensive, irritable; they have the feeling of impending doom, and they are self-conscious- feeling like being watched and criticized, etc. Obviously, people with anxiety disorder are often left immobilized. Anxiety keeps them house-bound, away from people, not able to do normal and simple for fear of this or that. People experiencing anxiety symptoms should know that it is a common disorder and is very curable. The anxiety symptoms that you may experience include:

Palpitations

Increased sweating

Shaking

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Nausea or stomach discomfort

Feeling of light-headedness

A feeling of unreality

Feeling of being detached from oneself

Fear of losing control or going crazy

Fear of dying

Feeling of impending doom

Depression, on the other hand, is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, one’s self concept, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as passing blue mood. It is not an indication of personal weakness or a state that can be willed or wished away. A person with depressive disorder usually can’t pull themselves together and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks to years. The treatment involves medications and/or temporary psychotherapy, which can be more helpful with depression sufferer. The symptoms of depressions may include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood

Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism

Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex

Guilty feelings, worthlessness, helplessness

Decreased energy, fatigue

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Appetite and/or weight changes

Trouble sleeping or oversleeping, early morning awakening

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Restlessness and irritability

Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that does not respond to routine treatment.

Anxiety and depression are two different conditions, but they are the same in the sense of the intensity of how serious these conditions can be. They are among the most common and most treatable mental illnesses in the world.

Anxiety disorders seem to be very prevalent in our country. Approximately 40 million Americans are reeling under the impact of anxiety ailments and the importance of right treatment cannot be overstressed. It is extremely difficult for the affected people to get through everyday life in the wake of the symptoms created by these mental disorders. To help them cope up, there are many anxiety medicines that could be used together with other treatment forms.

Anxiety and stress related disorders are usually treated with anxiety medication together with self-help techniques, therapy and support. With the combined treatment, various types of anxiety are controlled and even cured. Serious conditions like post-traumatic stress ailments can also be curtailed with following the proper regimen of anxiety medication.

Anxiety medications can be broadly classified into two types – Antidepressants and Anti-anxiety medications. Both these can strongly curtail and lessen the anxiety symptoms in people.

Antidepressants such as Paxil and Zoloft are prescribed for the long-term management of anxiety related disorders. These drugs are a little slow to work and patients must use them strictly as directed by their doctor and should follow his instructions very carefully. These are extremely beneficial with collateral cognitive and behavioral therapy.

Anti-anxiety medications exhibit a rapid effect on acute symptoms. But they are usually addictive and possess depressant effects on patients. Only short term treatments are recommended with this type of medications where urgent relief from symptoms is necessary for the patients. For lasting and overall treatment, other options are usually followed to relieve symptoms of anxiety over a long period.

Whereas anxiety medications are generally not designed to affect a cure or to put a stop to symptoms of anxiety, they control the symptoms to such an extent that the patients can take the benefit of other therapy forms as well. These other therapy forms for the anxiety disorder patients are Psychological therapy and Self-help.

Psychological therapy as the name suggests, consists of giving the patients cognitive and behavioral therapy tools to overcome their anxiety disorders. With the symptoms controlled with the help of medications, patients can concentrate on working on other long lasting techniques for keeping their anxiety symptoms at bay. More often than not, desensitization, positive thinking and many other techniques assist the patients survive the anxiety-triggering experiences.

Self-help consists of self-hypnosis, meditative therapy and relaxation techniques which assist the patients further to overcome their mental disturbances. It cannot be said that all disorders of anxiety can be cured, but most of them can be controlled with the right therapy.

Anxiety medicines do not offer a cure but they constitute a very important factor of the overall plan of treatment. When it is absolutely necessary to control the symptoms to bring a patient back on track, these medications are indispensable.