Momentary anxiety is not just normal – it is an important evolutionary tool. It is our body’s way of letting us know that we may be in danger. Some people have feelings of anxiety and stress that go far above normal levels – these are anxiety disorders.
Most people feel anxiety regularly, and up to 40 million adults in the United States deal with an anxiety disorder each year.
Though anxiety disorders can make you feel hopeless, the right treatment options and lifestyle changes can help anyone find relief. No one treatment will “fix” everyone, but anyone can find a treatment that works for them.
How To Stop Anxiety
Sleep Hygiene
Everyone should get somewhere around 8 hours of sleep a night. If this is difficult for you, there are ways to work around this. Try getting off electronics an hour before you go to bed, or develop a consistent sleep schedule.
Exercise
Physical health and mental health are very closely linked. You should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three to five times throughout the week.
Avoid Harmful Substances
Although it’s easy to fall back on junk food or alcohol during difficult times, these substances actually do more harm than good in the long run.
Treatment
There are lots of treatment options your doctor or provider may suggest, ranging from psychotherapy to antidepressants. New treatments like ketamine infusions may signal a new era for the treatment of anxiety.
Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety
Research indicates that ketamine treats anxiety disorders by binding to receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate being released. This sets off a chain reaction in the brain that affects thinking and emotional regulation.
This means, in layman’s terms language, that the brain reacts to ketamine infusions in a way that triggers hormones that help the brain create more positive emotions. Unlike other treatments, ketamine can provide this relief within hours or days of the first infusion, although it is most successful as a series of infusions.
The Kinds of Anxiety Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Selective Mutism
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders vary from person to person, but typically the symptoms include most of the following:
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling restless
- A sense of impending doom or danger
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing/hyperventilation
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Weakness
- Fatigue/lack of energy
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Avoidance of things you associate with your anxiety
Causes of Anxiety
Developing an anxiety disorder is not quite as simple as getting the Flu, for instance. The Flu can be traced back to a definite cause, whereas anxiety disorders are the result of several factors like inherited traits or traumatic events.
In some cases, anxiety disorders can be an indicator of an underlying health issue. Other conditions or medical problems sometimes linked to anxiety include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism)
- Respiratory conditions like COPD or Asthma
- Drug abuse or drug withdrawal
- Chronic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Contact us today if you or a loved one are suffering from anxiety, and would like to learn more about this innovative new treatment.
