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| Social Anxiety |
Anxiety is a physiological and psychological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, behavioral, and emotional components. It is regarded as a normal reaction to a stressor, and may even help a person deal with a difficult situation by prompting him to cope with it. It can, however, cause certain disorders such as nervousness, worrying, fear, and apprehension.
When anxiety becomes excessive, it may affect how a person feels and behaves; thus, manifesting serious physical symptoms. It may even progress to phobias and other mental disorders if not treated.
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| Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors | ( | SSRI) |
Severe anxiety disorders are usually treated with medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI), and other antidepressants.
There are also natural anxiety treatments intended for people who experience mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. It is recommended not to take natural treatments with medications, though; as antidepressants may react dangerously with herbal supplements.
Herbal supplements are believed to be capable of significantly reducing feelings of anxiety. St. John’s wort, passion flower, ginkgo biloba, kava kava, meadow sweet, valerian root, and roseroot are amongst the most used herbs. Amino acids such as L-histidine, L-glutamine, and GABA are also used. L-histidine and L-glutamin help in reducing irritability and stress while GABA induces relaxation and improves focus.
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| Psychotherapeutic |
Another one of the most popular natural anxiety treatments is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is a psychotherapeutic approach that helps people use new thinking skills to modify negative thought patterns and behavior. It involves two major components: cognitive therapy which examines how negative thoughts contribute to anxiety, and behavior therapy which examines how a person behaves and reacts in situations that trigger anxiety.
There are also certain food choices that have to be avoided if one wants to treat anxiety. Caffeine, for instance, can cause irritability and loss of focus if taken excessively. So, people with anxiety should cut back on coffee, cola, and tea. It is not recommended to consume more than 250 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Cookies, cakes, and pastries should be taken in moderation too. They may seem like the perfect comfort foods; but they can actually make stress and anxiety worse. These foods contain white floor and white sugar; and therefore, can decrease the amount of B vitamins in the body. Hence, irritability, irregular heartbeat, and diarrhea may result.
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| Excersice is also helpful in Treating Anxiety |
Aside from having a proper diet, exercising is also helpful in treating anxiety. It can burn away chemicals that cause stress such as norepinephrine and cortisol. It releases endorphins, morphine-like hormones that are responsible for feelings of happiness, into the system. It also releases serotonin and dopamine which give the feeling of safety and security, and offset negative thoughts and feelings.
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| Yoga Treatment |
Other well-known anxiety treatments are yoga, meditation, massage, and acupuncture. Yoga and meditation help people treat anxiety by relaxing their bodies and focusing on positive energy. Breathing techniques are performed, and the mind is cleared of anxious thoughts. Massage and acupuncture, on the other hand, help stimulate the flow of energy through specific points on the body; thus, relieving stress, easing muscle tension, and improving sleep.