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Anxiety is a complex combination of negative emotions, (fear, apprehension and worry), that is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, or shortness of breath.
Anxiety, in medical terms, is described as having cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components where the cognitive component causes the body to expect uncertain danger. On doing so, somatically the body prepares the organism to deal with threat and blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating is increased. This is followed by an increase in blood flow to the major muscle groups and inhibition of the immune and digestive system.
Types
Generalized anxiety disorder: This common chronic disorder affects mostly women and can lead to considerable impairment. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by unfocused ongoing anxiety.
Panic disorder: A person suffering from Panic disorder is likely to have brief attacks of intense terror and worry causing trembling and shaking, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.
Phobias: This group involves a strong, irrational fear and avoidance of an object or situation, even after knowing that the fear is irrational. Phobic disorders are quite different from generalized anxiety disorders and panic disorders because there is a specific stimulus or situation that leads to a strong fear response.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: This is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
Treatment of Anxiety
Conventional treatment for anxiety includes prescription of anxiolytic agents and/or cognitive-behavioral therapy. A combination of the two can be more effective than either one alone.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most popular and effective form of psychotherapy for treating anxiety. CBT decreases avoidance behaviors and help the patient develop coping skills, which may include challenging false or self-defeating beliefs; developing positive self-talking skill; developing negative thought replacement; systematic desensitization; and providing knowledge that helps the patient cope.
Self-help and relaxation techniques for relieving anxiety:
Proper diet - reduction in consumption of caffeine, sugar, and generally an improvement of eating habits
Exercise - exercise is thought to relieve stress
Laughing and breathing techniques - often recommended for reducing anxiety.
Proper sleep - helps reduce anxiety significantly.
Relaxation techniques - can be achieved with the help of relaxation tapes, Yoga or relaxation therapy.
Stress management - changes in lifestyle and time management |
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