Anxiety disorder is a condition that has many medical professionals and researchers baffled. This is because anxiety is a very complex disorder and there is a lack of consensus on how this condition can be effectively treated. Although there is no known cure for anxiety disorder, there are ways of coping with anxiety.
People who have had experience with this condition know that it is a force to be reckoned with and anxiety can profoundly affect the quality of life of an individual. But why is it that some people are stricken with this condition? And how are these people coping with anxiety?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health website, anxiety disorder affects "approximately 40 million American adults ages 18 and older, or about 18.1 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have an anxiety disorder on a yearly basis." So what is it about this disorder that effects so many people? There are studies that show it can be a combination of factors. There are also many people who practice all natural methods when coping with anxiety.
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety can be triggered by a traumatic event or experience. Some believe that different types of food can also trigger an anxiety attack. There are even personality traits that contribute to the development of this disorder. Here are some common reasons why an anxiety attack occurs.
- A traumatic event
- Chemical imbalance in the brain
- Low self esteem
- Constant need for control
By learning how to stay focused and staying in the moment instead of allowing the mind to think negatively is one of the main aspects in cognitive therapies, which is used to help people who are coping with anxiety.
Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Cognitive therapy techniques works to change thoughts of an individual. It has been known that people who suffer from anxiety tend to think negatively. Instead of allowing the mind to see a negative thought as a passing thought, anxiety sufferers tend to dwell on these negative thoughts.
Over time these negative thoughts can be one of the causes of anxiety or anxiety attacks.
Natural Anxiety Relief
Learning to change thoughts from negative to positive can do wonders for the overall mental health of a person. This can also help reduce anxiety and helps them when coping with anxiety.
People who suffer from anxiety and depression often may have a chemical imbalance in the brain. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that produces a feeling of well-being in an individual. Therefore, someone who has low levels of serotonin could also have symptoms of anxiety.
According to Nan Little in her article, "Understanding Chemical Imbalance," accessed on the National Center for Health and Wellness web site, "Over the years, researchers have noted a handful of possible underlying reasons for a chemical imbalance, from genetic factors to irregular brain development. She then goes on to explain that, " Everything we do and every thought that goes through our minds happens as a result of the production, release and absorption of naturally occurring chemicals in our brain like hormones, neurotransmitters and amino acids.The most promising is the theory that chemical imbalance actually stems from our own thoughts and actions."
There are several simple methods that can help anxiety sufferers cope, including:
- Stop negative thinking in its tracks
- Think logically
- Take some deep breathes and close the eyes-envision a calm safe place
- Write down your feelings
Often, people who have problems with anxiety do not allow themselves to express their true feelings. This can work against them and over time does more harm them good. These emotions can be expressed on paper and do not have to be directed at anyone in particular.
According to Dr.Eben L. McClenahan, in his article, "Cognitive Therapy Techniques: A Practitioner's Guide," found on The American Psychiatric Publishing Incorporation web site, he states, "The ABC technique permits clients to write down the activating event, the belief, and the consequences of emotions and behaviors."..he then goes on to explain that, "Leahy introduces the value of acceptance, an attitude of observing rather than attempting to control events."
Writing these thoughts down on paper does three very important things: It helps identify what may trigger an anxiety attack; it gets rid of negative feelings in a productive way; and it gives the person an effective technique for studying the thoughts that are detrimental to their well being.
Healthy Eating Plans for Anxiety Sufferers
According to the ARAFMI NSW web site for mental health, in their detailed description for anxiety and "what you can do to help yourself," it states that healthy eating plans can do wonders for the body; some believe that diet can have a positive impact on mental health as well.
As many researchers are discovering, diet has a link to a person's feeling of well-being. Eating plenty of foods rich in vitamin B1 can help ease symptoms associated with anxiety. Often people will experience less anxioussness once they incorporate a change in their diet. This is one way people with less severe attacks have been coping with anxiety.
Following healthy eating plans and limiting the amount of processed foods can allow the body to feel more relaxed and less susceptible to stress. It's believed that this stress can be caused by the ingredients in these processed foods and drinks.
Caffeine has been known to make people feel abnormally alert and sometimes, this does more harm than good in a mental and physical sense.
According to Edmond Bourne in his article, "Calm your nerves and Combat Anxiety: Step 3," "too much caffeine can keep you in a chronically tense, aroused condition, leaving you more vulnerable to generalized anxiety as well as panic attacks. Caffeine further contributes to stress by causing a depletion of vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is one of the so-called anti-stress vitamins."
When a person knows what triggers anxiety, as well as what other factors contribute to the causes of anxiety, they can better understand the factors that cause anxiety. It also helps them to learn natural ways of coping with anxiety that they can incorporate into their lifestyle. These techniques will also help to counteract negative thinking patterns, change thoughts and stop them from developing into an anxiety attack.
Victoria Rodriguez-Baziuk - Victoria has had a love for writing since she was 13, and discovered this talent while attending middle school. She has many passions in ...
