Posts Tagged ‘Phobias’

Fears and Phobias: How to Treat Anxiety and Panic Attacks

August 4th, 2011

Fears and Phobias: How to Treat Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Fears and Phobias: How to Treat Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Relaxation or Learning to relax. It can be a great help to learn a special way of relaxing to help us control our anxiety and tension. We can learn these through groups or through professionals, but there are several books or videotapes we can use to teach ourselves. It’s a good idea to practice this regularly, not just when we are in a crisis.
Self-help groups. These are a good way of getting in touch with people with similar problems. They will be both able to understand what you are going through, and may be able to suggest helpful ways of coping. These groups may be focused on anxieties and phobias, or may be made up of people who have been through similar experiences – women’s groups, bereaved parents groups, or survivors of abused groups.
Psychotherapy. This is more intensive talking treatment which can help us to understand and to come to terms with reasons for our anxieties that we may have not recognized ourselves. The treatment can take place in groups or individually, and is usually weekly for several weeks or months. Psychotherapists may or may not be medically qualified.
Medication. Drugs can play a part in the treatment of some people with anxiety or phobias. The most common tranquilizers are the valium-like drugs – the benzodiapines (most sleeping tablets also belong to this class of drugs). They are very effective in relieving anxiety, but we now know that they can be addictive after only four weeks regular use. When people try to stop taking them, they may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which can go on for some time. These drugs should be only used for short periods, perhaps to help during a crisis. They should not be used for longer term treatment of anxiety. On the other hand, anti-depressants are NOT addictive and can help to relieve anxiety as well as the depression for which they are usually prescribed. Some seem to have a particular effect on individual types of anxiety. On of the drawbacks is that they usually take 2 to 4 weeks to work and some can cause drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and constipation. However, there a re new antidepressants in the market that have minimal side effects.

“Now what’s on the Worry agenda today?” And remember “Total health care includes the physical, mental, social, and spiritual being of a person.”

(c) Ae Dechavez

Written by ae_dechavez

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Options For Agoraphobia Treatment

June 24th, 2010

Not a lot of people understand what agoraphobia is. All too often it has been misunderstood as a fear of wide open spaces because of the name that it has. In reality, this phobia has something to do with anxiety and panic disorders. It gets its name because people affected by it may fear going to places with lots of people.

The real root of agoraphobia stems from the panic attacks that a person may experience. When anxiety is present a person can begin to panic and feel things such as nausea, palpitations and extreme fear among other things. This can cause one to feel like they are losing it or that they might be going crazy. It is the dear of having panic attacks in public that can make people withdraw themselves.

Among all the treatments for this mental disorder the most common that doctors turn to are anti-anxiety and ant-depressant medications. These have known to be effective for short term use; however continued use can bring about high tolerance levels for the drugs as well as dependence and even addiction. These are best used on a short term basis.

Other than the usual medication alternative methods are also available for treating agoraphobia. There are many different cures that you will find under this including the use of aromatherapy, herbs and relaxation. All these are geared at reducing stress and keeping things natural. Many of these have shown positive side effects.

A good approach to treating agoraphobia without taking in anything is through psychotherapy. There are actually several different approaches when it comes to using this but the most popular remains to be the cognitive approach. With this sufferers are made to realize the effects of their thoughts and actions. They are also taught how to create more positive ones.

We all know that exercise is good for the body; but what many agoraphobia sufferers are not aware of is that it is good for the mind as well. A little bit of regular exercise can go a long way and help lessen or even eliminate the presence of anxiety and panic attacks. It helps the body create the needed chemicals to stay happy and be in a good mood.

Some people find that they cannot completely get rid of panic attacks. This does not mean though that you cannot lessen it or stop it once it begins. With the use of breathing techniques, you can help to stop the onset of panic attacks and lessen the anxiety that comes with agoraphobia. All you need to do is to learn how to breath properly to calm yourself down.

Of course there is also a mixed approach to treatments. If you cannot find a single cure that works then you can also go ahead and try different ones at the same time. You may eventually strike a balance that will help you get rid of agoraphobia successfully.

With her first hand experience on agoraphobia and other mental disorders Qandisha Brawn has become an expert on the topic. She has written numerous articles on topics like agoraphobia cures to increase awareness and help those suffering from these disorders.

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