Common Anxiety Treatment Options

Recognizing anxiety disorder symptoms is just the first step towards overcoming the problem. The next step is to find a suitable anxiety treatment plan, and this may consist of medication, behavioral therapy, dietary changes, and nutritional supplementation. According to MedicineNet.com, “if no physical illness is found, [the sufferer] may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Treatments for generalized anxiety disorder most often include a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy.”

Here are some of the most common anxiety treatment options available for people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety problems:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders. Recognizing the triggers of a panic attack, or identifying the root cause of an anxiety attack can be part of cognitive behavioral therapy treatment programs. This type of treatment allows the sufferer to work with a licensed professional to identify the troublesome thoughts, behaviors and patterns to see where they may be behaving in an irrational or inappropriate way.

2. Anxiety medication. Several types of prescription drugs have proven to be effective for treating anxiety disorders, and the type and dosage varies by person and condition. The most common types of medication prescribed to those with anxiety disorder are a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. These drugs have a tranquilizing effect on the body, and include drugs such as Valium, Librium, Xanax and BuSpar.

3. Antidepressants. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders also experience symptoms of depression. In some cases, treating the depression can alleviate many of the effects of the anxiety disorder. Antidepressants such as Effexor and Paxil can help improve the mood, reduce tension and make the person feel more balanced.

4. Lifestyle changes. Reducing stress naturally through regular exercise, meditation or stretching can help to improve the effects of an anxiety disorder and reduce many symptoms. People who experience chronic stress and tension can limit these feelings naturally by undertaking a vigorous cardiovascular exercise regimen, doing yoga or pilates, or meditation regularly. Increasing oxygen and blood circulation can help the person feel more relaxed and centered.

5. Nutritional supplements. For people who have difficulty sleeping or calming down, nutritional supplements such as Valerian extract, chamomile and lavender can help to reduce tension and induce sleep naturally. These supplements may be most effective for people with mild symptoms and brief episodes of chronic anxiety.

6. Dietary changes. Eating certain types of food can increase or reduce the risk of anxiety attacks or tension. Eating too many sugary foods can increase the heart rate and make it difficult to concentrate, thereby aggravating some of the symptoms of anxiety. Calming foods such as milk, oats, lentils and yogurt can help keep energy levels stable and reduce the risk of an anxiety attack. Making minor dietary changes on a regular basis often accompanies anxiety treatment programs.

What Are The Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety and panic disorders affect over 4 million adult Americans each year, and most people experience a combination of physical and emotional symptoms. In some people, the physical symptoms can be so severe that they lead to constant panic attacks and other problems. Physical symptoms can occur suddenly, or be a part of the person’s lifestyle if the anxiety disorder has been prevalent for an extended period of time.

Almost all anxiety disorders are associated with a specific set of physical symptoms, so identifying these symptoms and experiences is necessary when considering treatment. In many cases, the mental health professional will ask the sufferer to keep track of when they experience these symptoms, and how severe they are. This can help to identify exactly what may be causing the negative experiences, and help the doctor create an effective treatment plan.

According to WebMD.com, many people experience depression and other problems that can cause additional physical symptoms. Some of the most common physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorders include:

1. Stomach upset or nausea. Many people who have an anxiety disorder feel nauseous after a meal, or at various intervals throughout the day. This gastrointestinal disturbance is often associated with the central nervous system being out of balance.

2. Headaches or migraines. Constant tension and worry can take its toll physically in the form of headaches or migraines. People suffering from anxiety disorders often experience frequent headaches or intense migraines that can be crippling.

3. Shortness of breath. The fear response that is triggered during a panic or anxiety attack often causes a shortness of breath because the body is pushed into “fight or flight” mode. This can cause chest pains and heart problems, and can also make it difficult to focus or concentrate.

4. Insomnia. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders cannot get to sleep easily, or find it difficult to rest. Insomnia is a common side effect of many anxiety disorders, and may be corrected with lifestyle changes, herbal supplements or medication.

5. Diarrhea or constipation. Anxiety disorders can cause several problems in the digestive system, and may trigger periods of diarrhea or constipation. People who suffer from extreme levels of anxiety often need to modify their diets to ensure they are eating the right types of foods. This can mean eating a steady diet of easily-digestible, well-balanced meals.

6. Excessive sweating. Heart palpitations and an elevated heart rate are linked to increased central nervous system activity, and this often triggers excessive sweating. People with anxiety disorders often experience bouts of excessive sweating, even when they are not facing any type of fearful situation or problem.

7. Muscle tension or twitches. Some people who suffer from anxiety disorders experience muscle tension, twitches or tremors because of an imbalance in the central nervous system. Muscle twitches themselves can cause anxiety when they occur in public, and can make the sufferer feel even more out of control.

There are several physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, and recognizing them is the first step towards finding an effective treatment. Most people can overcome their anxiety problems with a combination of therapy, natural treatments, lifestyle changes and/or medication.

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Flying Keeps Getting Safer

A few years ago, there was one crash every million departures. I’ve been telling people recently that the current rate is one in five million. That was based on 2007.

The most recent stats released by the International Air Transport Association are for 2008. The figure was one crash in eight million flights.

Even so, statistics don’t make fearful fliers feel better. The problem is simple: both of those ratios include “one”, and that is the one that crashes.

The key to fixing fear of flying is to train the mind to not react when that thought of the “one” comes to mind, nor react when a thought of how that “one” crashes comes to mind, nor what it would feel like to be on that plane.

When the brain’s response to those thoughts is controlled, it is a lot easier for the fearful flier to recognize that what is feared and what is really going on during the flight are two different things.

Click Here for SOAR official site

capt tom bunn Flying Keeps Getting Safer Capt.Tom Bunn LCSW

Licensed therapist and airline captain Tom Bunn LCSW has specialized in the treatment of fear of flying since 1980. He founded SOAR to develop methods to deal with moderate and severe cases of flight phobia.

SOAR was established in 1982 because no programs existed that could
help people with moderate to severe difficulties. Even today, no other
program offers help that is effective except for mild difficulties. No
matter how difficult flying is for you, SOAR can help visit :

Click Here for SOAR official site

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Dealing With Anxiety About Turbulence

Turbulence while flying is one of the main concerns people have while flying.
Many people can manage as long as it is a smooth flight from start to finish.

In this article Capt. Tom Bunn answers people’s fears about turbulence.

Dealing With Anxiety About Turbulence

The incident in which several people were injured onboard a Continental flight has caused undue anxiety. As an airline captain who works with people who are afraid to fly, I’ve received several emails from clients who are very upset by this incident.

Here is an example.

“This is precisely the kind of scenario that bothers me. A perfectly qualified crew on a well-maintained and modern jetliner was tossed about like a rag.”

The idea that the airliner was the airliner was tossed around like a rag is pure imagination. If you were flying nearby and watching the Continental flight, you would have seen absolutely nothing unusual. The movement during this turbulence was so small you would not have been able to see it.

“How can we be sure that the weather we may be in is safe?”

You are always safe in turbulence provided you take the simple precaution of wearing a seat belt whether the seat belt sign is on or off. Perhaps you saw photos of the plane parked at the terminal after the flight. That should be reassuring. Turbulence did no damage to the plane.

Turbulence is not a problem for the plane. Airliners are built to handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out. To see what airliners can deal with, see some of the Hurricane Hunter videos available online.

“I realize also that no one who was seated with their seat belts fastened got physically hurt. But, the mental jarring would have been unprecedented.”

If you are simply concerned about being frightened, that can’t be guaranteed. And, it is essential to recognize that emotional fear and physical danger are not the same. We all need to be able to tolerate being afraid, and then to use the mind to determine whether the fear is a false alarm or something we need to act on.

“I remember you saying that a modern jetliner barely moves more than an inch vertically even when in severe turbulence. But if as reported in the press, if some of the flight attendants hits the roof of the cabin, the aircraft must have dropped by at least several feet.”

Think of croquet. In something called “sending your opponent”, you place your ball against your opponent’s ball. You put your foot on your ball and strike your ball. Your ball moves only a fraction of an inch. The opponent’s ball zips off several yards.

Rotate that ninety degrees. The plane is like your ball. The plane moves up sharply, but only a fraction of an inch. The unbelted passenger is like the opponent’s ball. The unbelted passenger moves a greater distance.

Some passengers will not follow the most basic instructions and wear a seat belt at all times. Except in the rarest situations, passengers get away with not wearing a seat belt. This was one of those rare occasions when they didn’t.

Click Here to learn more

capt tom bunn Dealing With Anxiety About Turbulence Capt.Tom Bunn LCSW

Licensed therapist and airline captain Tom Bunn LCSW has specialized in the treatment of fear of flying since 1980. He founded SOAR to develop methods to deal with moderate and severe cases of flight phobia.

SOAR was established in 1982 because no programs existed that could
help people with moderate to severe difficulties. Even today, no other
program offers help that is effective except for mild difficulties. No
matter how difficult flying is for you, SOAR can help visit :

Click Here for SOAR official site

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