Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety on its own is simply the brain and body reacting to threats of stress or potential danger. To feel anxious from time to time is normal and may even be useful in certain situations. Anxiety disorders go above and beyond these normal levels – in fact, they are mental health conditions marked by constant and overwhelming anxiety, stress, and fear.

Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to perform in school, maintain relationships, or keep up your everyday life. Fortunately, with the right treatment options, you can manage your symptoms and regain a sense of normalcy in your life.

While symptoms can vary between people, the main symptoms typically include the following:

• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• A sense of impending doom or danger
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Physical weakness
• Fatigue
• Trouble focusing
• Disruption in sleep patterns
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Avoiding things that trigger anxiety

What leads a person to develop an anxiety disorder is still not fully understood by the medical community. Traumatic events or life experiences may trigger anxiety disorders in those already prone to them, but inherited traits can also be a factor.

In some cases, the anxiety disorder may be linked to underlying health issues. In other cases, symptoms of anxiety can be the first indicators of another sort of medical condition.

Examples of other conditions sometimes linked to anxiety include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems (for example, hyperthyroidism)
• Respiratory disorders like COPD or asthma
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other medications
• Chronic pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome

It is also possible that your anxiety may be caused by an underlying medical condition if:

• You do not have any blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
• You did not have an anxiety disorder as a child
• You do not avoid certain things or situations because of anxiety
• You have a sudden occurrence of anxiety that seems unrelated to life events

The following factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:

Trauma

Children or adults who experience traumatic events can go on to develop anxiety disorders

Stress from an illness

A serious health condition can cause significant worry.

Personality

Some specific personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders.

Other mental health disorders. Other conditions like depression often go hand-in-hand with anxiety disorders.
Family history of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders often run in families.
Drug or alcohol abuse

Ketamine Infusions

Research into IV ketamine infusions for the treatment of anxiety is still ongoing, but the current understanding is that ketamine can bind to receptors in the brain and increase the amount of a neurotransmitter, glutamate. This will set off a chain of reactions in the brain and impact emotional regulation.

To put this in layman’s terms, ketamine allows the brain to trigger hormones that create more positive emotions. One added benefit of ketamine infusion is that relief can occur within minutes rather than the weeks or months an antidepressant or therapy may take.

Lifestyle Changes

While medication may help treat anxiety, certain lifestyle changes may help relieve the symptoms of anxiety faster, and may also better fortify the brain and stop your anxiety from coming back again. Some examples of important lifestyle improvements one can make:

Exercise

Research shows that regular exercise, between 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day, can be just as effective as medication when treating anxiety disorders. Exercise boosts important “feel good” chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, but it also triggers the growth of new connections between brain cells. Fortunately, even a half-hour daily walk can start to improve your symptoms.

Social Support Networks

A strong social support network can reduce the feelings of isolation that anxiety disorders are known to bring about. You should consider joining a class or group for a hobby you enjoy or volunteering with a local charity or foundation, as well as keeping in regular contact with your close friends and loved ones.
Nutrition. Even people without an anxiety disorder should strive to eat well – it’s good for not just physical health, but mental health as well. Try to eat smaller but well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your energy up and combat mood swings.

Sleep

Sleep strongly affects your mood, and when you are not getting enough of it you may find yourself irritable, grumpy, fatigued, or unusually sad. Generally speaking, everyone should sleep somewhere between seven to nine hours every night.

Stress Reduction

Anything you can do to reduce stress will help your anxiety symptoms. Stress not only worsens the symptoms of your anxiety disorder but may also put you at risk of developing one in the future. Seek out ways to manage the stress in your life, such as an unhealthy relationship or work-related stress.