Finding a Depression Treatment That Works for you

November 23, 2009 by · 21 Comments
Filed under: Anxiety Treatments 

Anxiety and depression seem to be on the rise in many parts of the world. The increased anxiety after September 11 has caused many people to look fondly at the past well hoping for a better future. In the meantime, it is necessary for many to seek treatment for anxiety and depression if only to be able to continue to function.

While anxiety is a term used to mean excessive worry or fear and depression is considered feelings of sadness and hopelessness, they’re both very closely related with very similar treatment plans. Although there are a number of options available, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified psychological counselor. It’s also critical that you visit your medical doctor, if only to eliminate physical causes that may have triggered the anxiety depression.

Here’s a few of the strategies that have been successfully used to treat anxiety and depression. Understand that while all have been shown effective to some degree, they don’t all work for all people.

Medications:

Certain types of medications known as SSRI or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work to increase the serotonin levels in your brain. These antidepressant meds have been able to be used successfully to treat many of the more common anxiety disorders. Although depression is generally recognized as being caused by low levels of chemicals in the brain, it seems to respond well to medication regimen. This in turn can help with various anxiety symptoms even though anxiety is more closely related to phobias and fears.

The Therapeutic Counseling:

Some of the most effective counseling is known as cognitive therapy. This behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps a person to recognize the thinking patterns that may have caused the anxiety disorder or depression. Psychotherapeutic counseling is especially effective with various phobias also.

Natural Anxiety and Depression Treatments:

There are many products on the market that all claim to cure various illnesses, disorders and disease. The reality is that many of these claims have not or cannot be verified through independent research. This means that even though it product claims to be the “miracle cure” these claims are based on testimonials. This isn’t to say that there are not some natural mood elevating strategies that one can use.

These mood elevating strategies include getting more sunlight. It’s no secret that in the winter when the days are shorter, there are more of us suffer from depression. I purposely going out into the sunlight for a least 30 minutes a day, it’s possible to help raise your mood level and fight off depression.

Another effective method to change your perspective and elevate your mental state is to exercise. A brisk walk or other exercise program lasting at least 30 minutes can elevate the endorphins. These chemicals in the brain can give you an almost positive euphoric feeling that is also an effective treatment for depression.

Although there are many other treatment methods, these have been found to be the most effective. Many anxiety and depression sufferers find that a combination of treatment strategies is required to effectively feel better and function.

Abigail Franks
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/finding-a-depression-treatment-that-works-for-you-82135.html

How To Find Effective Anxiety Disorder Treatments

October 31, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Anxiety Treatments 

Anxiety disorders are suffered by more than forty million Americans. Examples of these disorders are panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorders. Many of these disorders are debilitating to the sufferers, interfering with both their personal and professional lives. Thankfully, there are many anxiety treatments out there.

If you think that you suffer from an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. Tests are necessary to make sure that there isn’t another medical condition responsible for the symptoms. Once it’s determined that the symptoms are the result of an anxiety disorder, the next step is to seek out a mental health professional.

Anxiety treatment can include medications. While medications are not enough to cure anxiety disorders, they can help the sufferer deal with the symptoms. Antidepressants alter the chemistry of the brain. Most begin to work on some indicators of anxiety disorder immediately; however, it can take up to six weeks for the full effects to be felt.

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are also antidepressants. They help brain cells communicate with each other by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is involved in the regulation of learning, sleep, and moods. They have been shown to be very effective in anxiety treatment. Beta-blockers, usually used to treat heart conditions, can also be prescribed for anxiety treatment. They can help prevent the physical conditions which accompany most anxiety disorders.

Medications are used to help control the signs of anxiety disorders while the patient receives psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps anxiety disorder sufferers change the way they think and how they react to anxiety-inducing situations. For example, a person with OCD who is anxious about germs and ritualistically washes his or her hands many times a day is taught to wait for longer periods of time in between such activities.

Those with other phobias or disorders learn how to face their fears through this anxiety treatment. The CBT therapist accompanies the anxiety disorder patient through role-playing to actual encounters. CBT therapists also teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.

CBT only works when the anxiety disorder sufferer is ready to undertake the challenge of facing his or her fears. It must be specific to their individual anxiety disorder. This anxiety treatment usually lasts about three months. It may incorporate group therapy.

Anxiety treatment is often more effective when it includes support groups. These groups may include resources from the internet or your local member of the clergy. These should not be a replacement for a certified therapist.

Exercise can be a great addition to anxiety treatments. It boosts the brain’s natural creation of serotonin. Meditation has also been found to enhance anxiety treatments, as it helps calm the physical symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Finally, family is a very important factor in anxiety treatment. Families should never trivialize the disorder of the sufferer. They can offer support but need to be careful not to enable the anxiety disorder patient.

Sammy Kay
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-find-effective-anxiety-disorder-treatments-103346.html

Anxiety and the neurotransmitter Serotonin

July 25, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Panic Relief 

By any chance, do the following have a familiar ring: Lexapro, Cymbalta, and Paxil? Odds are you’ve heard of at least one, and perhaps are using one or know a person who does. They are compounds for curing anxiety, and are all among the top 100 selling pharmaceuticals in the world. Medication for anxiety forms a large fraction of the portfolios of the major pharmaceutical firms. Countless patients have discovered that these drugs mitigate the debilitating symptoms of anxiety disorders, as well as those of depression in others. A high number of these drugs are found in a class of molecules referred to “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” (SSRIs), which operate by reducing the reabsorption of the neurochemical serotonin. Serotonin, when careening between neural junctions, seem to mediate processes that result in anxiety and depression. Learning about how SSRIs work, their off-label uses and what sort of side effects they exert is vital, as these compounds form the most popular class of pharmaceutical products ever prescribed.

Basic and applied research in clinical depression led to a large number of SSRIs utilized for reducing anxiety. In depression, peple also exhibit reduction in levels of interneural serotonin. Administration of SSRI increases these amounts and brings down the symptoms of depression. Interestingly, SSRIs have also found usage in treatment of symptoms as diverse as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. The neurotransmitter serotonin seems to govern a number of biological functions not restricted simply to psychiatric processes.  Thus it is not unexpected that SSRIs, despite their wide usage, also impose a disperse range of side effects. More commonly, patients who take SSRIs may feel nausea, sleep-walking or dizziness. Less usual, side effects may also describe problems such as tiredness during the period of treatment, blurry vision, or a strange condition known as “depersonalization.” The side effect that has gained much scrutiny recently, especially in the matter of a Lilly Co. drug, is the increased risk for *******. A retrospective study by the FDA (done by pooling data from many studies ) led it to raise the likelihood that in youths 25 or under, the medication can increase the rate of *******. However, the benefits of SSRIs in alleviating otherwise threatening symptoms of anxiety and depression is what leads most to take them anyhow.

A more common but ultimately strange side effect is the one known as “depersonalization”. In depersonalization, the person seems to become removed from daily life and people. The sense of clarity in these subjects also weaks, a fact which is the source for the name of the condition.  Life situations seem dream-like and hazy.  Ending of medication reduces depersonalization, but at the disadvantage of speedy reacquisition of feelings of anxiety and depression.

These adverse reactions are tolerated by patients due to the great benefit conferred by SSRIs.  Because SSRIs are broadly used, their mixing with other drugs has also been well documented. One prominent example is the natural supplement St John’s wort. In a strange turn, the supplement has frequently been claimed as a natural cure for depression or anxiety. But unfortunately, it turns out that intake of St. John’s wort inactivates a function of the liver, in charge of catabolizing SSRIs in the body and eliminating them from the body. Because St John’s wort compromises liver activity, the SSRIs stay in the body for longer and at greater dosage, leading to worsened side effects.

SSRI drugs have assisted a countless number of people who experience anxiety. The informed patient benefits from recognizing the subtleties and complexities of these drugs, their side effects, and how these drugs potentially can have deleterious consequences when taken simultaneously with other substances.

By: David Cambria (Download Free Anxiety Treatment)

About the Author:

David Cambria has been doing basic science in a related field to biochemistry of neurotransmitters, and often writes about stress relief from anxiety. He also presents information on natural relief from anxiety.


Panic Attacks- Few Tips To Tackle The Suffering

July 18, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Mental Health 

Panic attacks are so bad that they can disturb your life in so many ways. It may even lead to loss of family, friends and more importantly your job. There are medications and therapies which will aid panic attacks though. However, there are a lot of ways to overcome panic attacks and see them off or keep it under control.

Physical reactions are caused by panic attacks. Medications and therapies only help controlling these reactions but not fully curing them. It can go to the extent of stabilizing your body but it mostly depends on the person to cope up with such attacks when it strikes. A psychiatrist can help in a great way to revive back to normalcy. He may even advice you on the medication before any treatment.

Mostly, anti-depressants and anti anxiety medication are prescribed for panic attacks on the body. Beta blockers can be used to treat symptoms, mainly physical, associated with the anxiety attacks. You tend to focus more on the psychological portion of the fear and anxiety by helping yourself physically. Tricyclic, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, benzodiazepines and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or the SSRIs are anti-depressants that can aid symptoms of anxiety disorders. Many a time, anxiety leads to depression and unwanted worry. These medications, however, help you bring some lost relief. Apparently, benzodiazepines help to reduce panic attacks surprisingly up to 80%. Medications differ for every sort of panic attack.

No medication should be hurried as it takes sometime for the medicines to get settled and react in your body. So patience is the key in treatments such as these. It might even take a week or so to work and feel the full effect of it. However, if it takes too long to have an impact in your body, doctors could be sought and asked about it. Medicines prescribed for these anxieties sometimes work on trial and error basis. Not all medicines work and not all medications might sink in your body quickly. It takes a lot of time for it to have any sort of impact. The dosages may vary for various medications.

Following a medication, therapy is a preferred follow-up. A therapist is one who can help you handle the anxiety in a more pragmatic way. Therapy uses the fact of role playing which is quite an effective tool that help you work through various problems without even being in the situation before. You imagine yourself being in an anxiety-stricken situation and think about how you could have avoided it. This makes it less worrisome and fearful. These skills might prove to be handy someday when you really are put in such a situation.

Self calming techniques can be kind of a morale booster if you are suffering from a panic attack and have no help to seek out. The most common self calming technique being breathing. Ten deep breathes through your nose can be rally soothing and helpful for you to counter panic attacks. It boosts your spirit and calms you down terrifically and thereby preventing any panic attack striking you. You can imagine yourself handling such predicaments with ease and feel inspired to do so in real time. This certainly helps to regain control and focus and hence preventing panic attacks take the better of you. There are many other tools that can help you with panic attacks. A therapist is probably the best person who can individually help you control such attacks. Hard work and good medication can ensure a good life without panic attacks.

By: Abhishek Agarwal (Free Download Anxiety Treatment eBook)

About the Author:

Abhishek has got some great Anger Management Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 97 Pages Ebook, “How To Effectively Control Your Anger” from his website http://www.Positive-You.com/553/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.


Anxiety Pills – Hopes for Anxiety Sufferers

July 15, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Other Anxiety Related Articles 

Anxiety is a problem for many people, some of whom do not even know they suffer from anxiety. There are two ways to treat anxiety: anxiety pills and certain types of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is generally used along with anxiety pills to treat anxiety. By using a combination of pills and psychotherapy, the results can increase your quality of life.

Types of Anxiety Pill

There are basically two types of anxiety pills: MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs or serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There are a couple of other types that are not used quite as often: benzodiazepines and beta-blockers

MAOIs are classified as an antidepressant but are often prescribed for anxiety disorders. These anxiety pills work by not allowing your body to break down your body’s monoamine neurotransmitters. This helps increase the levels of serotonin, melatonin and adrenaline, which helps with both depression and anxiety.

Certain research has shown that those who suffer from anxiety and depression also often have low levels of serotonin. Anxiety pills such as MAOIs help treat anxiety by increasing the levels of certain naturally occurring compounds in your body, which in turn helps level out the effects of anxiety and depression.

SSRIs specifically work with your body to increase the levels of serotonin. Serotonin is required to metabolize stress hormones. This basically means that your body needs certain levels of serotonin to get rid of the hormones that are produced by anxiety and stress. Low levels of serotonin have been shown to be present in those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Many pills contain SSRIs as a method of increasing the levels of serotonin in the body.

Anxiety pills usually do not have many, if any, side effects. For most anxiety sufferers, pills can help quite a bit. The effectiveness of anxiety pills will differ from person to person; this is why it is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor. You may have to try a couple of different varieties of anxiety pills before you find the right one for you specific condition.

Hopefully by working with your physician, you can find the right pills for your specific situation. Along with behavioral therapy, anxiety pills can be of great benefit to someone suffering from anxiety. Today there are better anxiety pills available than even five years ago. Working with your doctor of therapist to determine the best course of treatment is the first step to ridding yourself of the worst effects of anxiety.

By: Alien (Get FREE Anxiety Treatment)

About the Author:

Alien writes for anxiety attacks . He also writes for stress articles and mental health disorders


Why Natural Cures for Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms are Better

July 4, 2009 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Mental Health 

Having anxiety or panic attacks is horrific to be sure and the trauma that comes from having your first one can cause you to seek out all types of anxiety attack panic treatment. Medication is the standard treatment and it is very convenient: just pop a pill and you don’t have to deal with it. But all that does is cover up the real reason that you have them. Some people feel helpless to take on the next panic attack on their own. This can be one reason that a natural cure for panic attack can help .There are in fact several natural cures that can help a person deal with anxiety panic attack symptoms.

The meds that are typically perscribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIS and benzodiazepines.SSRIs are the first drug of choice. They reduce the amount of panic attacks but it can take several weeks for the medication to really kick in.

Benzodiazepines drop the amount of attacks fast . But they are very expensive and you have to take them several times a day and they have been known to cause really bad side effects.So SSRIs,benzodiazepines and other drugs that are perscribed for anxiety attack panic treatment are a pain,dangerous, and can be expensive in the long run,medical practitioners hand them out like candy . It is just a quick fix and it appeals to both patient and doctor and the patient thinks that meds are the only solution to fix the problem.Medication fosters a sense of dependency in people and they fear that they will drop off the edge at any time into full blown anxiety panic attack symptoms and be overwhelmed. They feel that they cannot deal with it on their own. Meds will stop a person from growing and trying to find out why they are having the attacks. They fear that they will have this all their life.

Drugs will lose effectiveness and build up in your body after you use them for awhile . The body will build up resistance to the meds and if a person has been taking the meds for several years suddenly find that the medical crutch does’t work anymore. It would be devastating .

This is why natural cures for panic attacks should be given fist importance over all forms of meds. Meds are fine for getting your attacks under control but after you get there then natural cures should be implemented.

Relief from anxiety attack panic symptoms can comes from attacking from all angles: your lifestyle, diet, allergies, adding exercise ,getting your hormones balanced ,getting a general physical health,and investigating your emotional history. Eating good food can help balance out your sugar cravings and your moods. Avoid all artificial foods ,processed sugars,and additives for awhile and see if your mood improves any and them if it does then stay on that diet forever only indulging in the occasional treat.Drink lots of water filtered if you can and avoid sodas and caffiene . Eat real whole foods like fresh fruit and lots of veggies, organic when possible, Add lots of fiber-rich vegetables or fruit to every meal . Take a good multivitamin to fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet that you may be missing and include essential fatty acids like omega 3s,6s, and 9s.Look at what you are eating and see if you may be allergic to any foods.Get enough sleep at least 8 hours or more if you need it . You may need more right now because your body is stessed. Get some gentle exercise like walking or gentle stretching and yoga to help ease your muscles . Studies show that people who exercise have less anxiety panic attack symptoms than people who don’t exercise. You could go outside and just sit in the sun and deep breathe.

Long term anxiety attack panic treatment with meds will not help you. Engage in natural cures for panic attack and soon it will be just a memory.

By: Valene Dubbelman (Free Download Anxiety Treatment eBook)

About the Author:

Anxiety and panic attacks will never “just go away”with out help.Go here to find out more Http://anxietypanicattacksymptomsonline.blogspot.com/


Various Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Anxiety is only considered to be a mental health problem when it is prolonged, severe and is interfering with everyday activities. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders are highly treatable with psychotherapy, drugs, or a combination of both. There are at least nine identified types of anxiety disorders, include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, separation anxiety, school avoidance, and agoraphobia. Anxiety disorders in children can range from a simple adjustment disorder to more difficult and debilitating disorders such as panic disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. It’s normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience. Excessive anxiety is often associated with other mental health problems, such as depression. Unfortunately, many people with anxiety disorders don’t seek treatment because they do not believe they have a legitimate illness, or they fear the reaction of family and friends.

Sometimes anxiety can be associated with a physical illness, such as thyroid disorder. For this reason it’s advisable to see your GP in order to rule out a physical cause. Symptoms occur with varying frequency and intensity but may include all of those listed above as well as trembling, chest pain, nausea, and fear. You may fear you are going crazy or dying. Some people may also have a sense of being detached from reality. Anxiety can be a long-term disorder where you feel worried most of the time about things that might go wrong. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used, as is psychotherapy and stress management techniques. Drugs used to treat anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Often, a combination of therapies works best.

What are the types of Anxiety disorders?

There are several major types of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why.

2. Phobias: A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality presents little to no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals such as snakes and spiders, fear of flying, and fear of heights.

3. Social Phobia: Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.

5. Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is a normal part of child development.

6. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

The symptoms can include:

1. Abdominal discomfort.

2. Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.

3. Shortness of breath.

4. Frequent urination

5. Feeling worried or uneasy all the time

6. An inability to concentrate

7. Depersonalisation.

Treatment For Anxiety disorders:

The treatment will depend upon which type of anxiety you are experiencing and how severe it is. Cognitive-behavior therapy is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Tranquilisers, such as benzodiazepine tablets, may help to relieve some short-term stress-related anxieties. However, they shouldn’t be taken for long periods because of the risk of addiction. For this reason they aren’t usually prescribed. Antidepressants can treat certain anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, OCD, and anxiety associated with depression.

By: Juliet Cohen (Anxiety Treatment eBook – FREE)

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases. She also writes articles for depression treatment and health care.


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