Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological disorder that features symptoms of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior. The compulsive behavior temporarily alleviates the anxiety caused by the intrusive, obsessive thoughts. Some experts believe that compulsive hoarding is a form of OCD. Is hoarding a form of OCD?

Not everyone who is disorganized or saves clutter is a compulsive hoarder. Compulsive hoarding is due to fears or psychological needs that the saved items satisfy temporarily. Hoarders who are empty-nesters may be saving every object possible that reminds them of their children due to difficulty transitioning out of their parenting role to the role of parents of grown children. People who had frequently lost their possessions in childhood may compulsively acquire and hold onto as many possessions as possible in adulthood.

Hoarding behavior may be fueled by obsessive thoughts of loneliness or insecurity about not having necessities. Some hoarders have experienced threats to their self-images which can magnify a sense of insecurity. Many hoarders have a childhood history of poverty or an inability to retain their possessions or necessities. Often, hoarders have close relatives who are also hoarders.

Hoarders often have a tendency to overvalue their possessions. In a society in which people are inclined to throw away and replace broken objects, hoarders often save broken objects with the idea that they will fix the objects even if the object is not likely to be fixed. Not only do hoarders save items that they might need in the future, hoarders often save objects in case the item may be needed by someone else in the future.

The hoarding behavior may be considered OCD since the compulsive act of hoarding is continued even if the person experiences distress from the clutter. The person may be embarrassed by the clutter or may receive eviction notices. Some hoarders find themselves in trouble with city officials for having a fire hazard.

Though the compulsive nature of hoarding and the psychological drive to hoard resembles OCD, some may argue that hoarding is not OCD since it is not effectively treated by OCD medications. Hoarding treatment is typically cognitive-behavioral therapy to address the hoarding behavior and the underlying psychological needs and fears.

If someone simply cleans out the home of a hoarder without addressing the causes of hoarding behavior, the hoarding behavior is likely to worsen. A hoarder who loses all their possessions is likely to be overwhelmed with anxiety without having the necessary coping skills to avoid alleviating anxiety with hoarding behavior. Though compulsive hoarding has clear similarities to OCD, experts remain divided on whether compulsive hoarding is a subtype of OCD, a possible OCD symptom, or a separate condition entirely.

Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, cause emotional and physical symptoms. People with anxiety attacks experience different symptoms. Possible anxiety attack symptoms include nausea, racing heart rate, dizziness, feelings of impending doom, and rapid, shallow breathing. Can anxiety attacks cause fainting?

Some people have experienced fainting with anxiety attacks. Fainting, also called syncope, is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Though most episodes of fainting subside within minutes without causing injury, people may get hurt when they fall to the floor when they faint. This is especially dangerous for the elderly.

When someone faints, the person loses consciousness. Fainting is a fairly common condition. Fainting during an anxiety attack can be caused by intense fear or emotional distress. Anxiety attacks can also cause fainting from hyperventilation. Breathing during anxiety attacks often becomes fast and shallow which can lead to hyperventilating.

With the rapid, shallow breathing of anxiety attacks, fainting occurs due to the high levels of oxygen and rapid release of carbon dioxide. The resulting low level of carbon dioxide causes a constriction of the blood vessels of the brain. The decreased blood flow in the brain may cause fainting or lightheadedness. If a person is aware of their rapid breathing, the person may learn to consciously slow their breathing during an anxiety attack.

Fainting from anxiety attacks can be due to vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve is located in the neck, chest, and intestines. This nerve may become stimulated in response to emotional distress or fear. Vagus nerve stimulation can cause nausea, clammy hands, and fainting. Fainting from vagus nerve stimulation is called vasovagal or vasomotor syncope.

If possible, people experiencing lightheadedness during a panic attack should sit to help avoid injury if they faint. Other conditions can make a person more susceptible to fainting. Heart, nerve, and circulation problems can cause fainting. Fainting can also be caused by drug use, medications, alcohol use, and excessive hunger or low blood sugar. Typically, fainting during anxiety attacks is not cause for alarm. Most people who have fainted from anxiety do not have any medical conditions causing the fainting.

One anxiety disorder that causes intrusive obsessions and compulsive behavior is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Specialized therapy and medication are used for treating OCD. Effexor OCD treatment is one medication treatment for OCD that has been effective for some people who suffer this anxiety disorder.

Obsessions caused by OCD are disturbing thoughts that cause anxiety. Compulsions are ritualistic behaviors that temporarily alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsessions. Examples of compulsions are excessive hand washing, checking and rechecking items, or arranging items in a particular order. The person has extreme difficulty controlling these thoughts and behaviors.

Psychiatrists may prescribe different medications for treating OCD. Effexor OCD treatment is often used when other medications have failed to be successful in controlling the symptoms. In addition to treatment for OCD, Effexor can be used to treat depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety.

Effexor is an antidepressant in the class of antidepressants known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Effexor and antidepressants like it work by altering the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

The generic name of Effexor XR is venlafaxine HCl. Effexor XR is the extended release form of Effexor. The capsules come in dosages of 37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg. The psychiatrist may prescribe a combination of capsules for the desired total dosage strength.

Effexor XR is taken once a day with food. The person should try to take Effexor XR at the same time every day. Common Effexor side effects are dry mouth, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, sexual side effects, and constipation. Other common side effects of Effexor include loss of appetite, sweating, and nervousness. Effexor has not been approved for the treatment of children.

If side effects of Effexor are bothersome, the person should discuss this with the doctor. People should not stop taking this medication without consulting the doctor. If the symptoms of OCD continue, the person should talk to the doctor about other possible medications or treatment. As with other antidepressants, Effexor can take weeks to be effective. Unfortunately, it can take some time for people to find the best OCD treatment for them.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by the inability to integrate a traumatic experience normally. Experiences are encoded in the person’s memory. With PTSD, experts believe that the trauma remains emotionally charged due to the intensity of the traumatic experience.

Though PTSD is commonly associated with trauma experienced during combat, any trauma that the person perceives as life-threatening or causes severe emotional distress can cause PTSD. In some cases, witnessing a horrific event is enough to cause PTSD.

In addition to combat situations, common causes of PTSD include severe car crashes, rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, and other types of interpersonal violence. The similarities among the PTSD causes are typically seen as threatening to the person’s sense of safety.

Other possible causes of PTSD include receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness, experiencing natural disasters, and witnessing violent attacks on others. Witnessing violence such as a child witnessing domestic violence or witnessing terrorist attacks can be just as psychologically devastating as experiencing the trauma directly.

Some people are more prone to developing PTSD. Experts have identified certain risk factors that make someone susceptible to PTSD. PTSD is a complex problem. What one person experiences as a trauma without developing PTSD could trigger PTSD in someone else. Risk factors for PTSD include the having a learning disability or psychiatric illnesses prior to the trauma, the severity and duration of the trauma, and repeated traumatic events.

For people who do not have PTSD, this disorder can be difficult to understand. PTSD causes the person to relive the traumatic event in flashbacks or nightmares. Someone with PTSD often has a heightened vigilance and anxiety. Since many people with PTSD tend to avoid talking about the trauma, friends and family may have limited knowledge of the actual event that triggered the PTSD.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. The road to recovery can be slow progress which can be extremely frustrating. The person may feel that they are finally getting symptoms under control and then experience a flashback or nightmare that robs them of their sense of progress. The person should try to remember that the occurrence of a symptom does not erase the progress that has been made.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which is characterized by nightmares, flashbacks, and hyper-vigilance caused by a traumatic event. People may develop PTSD if they experience or witness violence or a life-threatening situation. PTSD treatment often includes specialized therapy for PTSD.

A person who has PTSD often has elevated anxiety and intrusive, vivid, and emotionally traumatic nightmares or flashbacks during which the person reliving the trauma. One perspective of PTSD and the reliving of the traumatic memory is that the traumatic memory fails to be integrated properly into the person’s memory. Therefore, this emotionally-charged memory remains in the forefront of the person’s mind and is easily triggered. Due to the lack of integration, the memory also retains the intense emotions and feeling as if the event is recurring that integrated memories normally lack.

One common therapeutic approach to PTSD treatment is exposure therapy similar to how phobias are treated. In both cases, the person is exposed to the trauma or fear-triggering stimulus in a safe environment with the support of a therapist. With PTSD, the person may be asked to describe the traumatic event in detail.

The therapist may have the person progress gradually through this treatment. The individual may describe only the beginning of the event or a less-detailed account at first. In subsequent treatments, the person may be asked to describe more of the event. The location of the trauma may be visited at some point.
A relatively new therapy for PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is founded on the principle that the traumatic memories have not been successfully integrated. The goal of EMDR is to assist the person in reprocessing the memory so that it causes less emotional distress.

During the EMDR treatment process, the therapist guides the client through identifying and replacing negative thoughts and beliefs that are associated with the trauma. The therapist uses clicks, tones, or the client’s eye movement to encourage the reprocessing of the traumatic memory.

Family therapy is often recommended as part of PTSD therapy. The family is impacted by the condition and rarely has sufficient insight into the condition. PTSD is not easily understood by those who experience the condition much less those who don’t have the condition but have a relationship with someone who does. Family therapy can provide education about the disorder. The emotions of all family members are discussed. The therapist may help the family communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and cope with their emotions.

Some therapeutic techniques for PTSD are related to the type of trauma experienced. For example, someone who developed PTSD from a sexual assault or rape may receive therapy from a sexual assault counselor who helps clients recover from sexual trauma.

Panic attacks cause the sudden onset of extreme emotional distress and physical anxiety symptoms including difficulty breathing, racing heart rate, dizziness, heart palpitations, and nausea. A panic attack can make the person to believe that something bad is going to happen to them or a loved one. Isolation by people who have panic attacks is an attempt to avoid situations that might trigger a panic attack. How do I control a panic attack?

In my experience, truly believing something bad is going to happen is the most terrifying part of a panic attack. The physical symptoms of panic attacks can mimic a heart attack and cause additional anxiety for many people. These physical symptoms of anxiety cause fear of a heart attack which exacerbates the already elevated levels of anxiety.

Identifying the symptoms as just a panic attack and acknowledge that there is no real danger can help diffuse the panic attack. This is easier said than done, but it does become easier with practice. Acknowledging the panic attack for what it is can help avoid adding to the anxiety by worrying about a perceived threat or heart attack.

Some people who have panic attacks take medication at the onset of symptoms. The physician or psychiatrist may prescribe a medication for panic attacks that is only taken as needed. A daily anxiety medication may be prescribed to reduce the likelihood of experiencing panic attack symptoms.

Isolating is very common for people who experience panic attacks, because the person begins to fear panic attacks. The fear of panic attacks causes the person to retreat to living in a comfort zone. If the person experiences panic attacks in crowds, the person may start avoiding stores and the public in general.

The behaviorism perspective explains why a person with panic attacks may struggle with isolation. Panic attacks in public places can be perceived subconsciously as a punishment for being in public. Behaviorists would call this positive punishment. Since staying at home does not cause a panic attack, the lack of panic attacks is a reward, or negative reinforcement according to behaviorists, for staying at home. The shaping of behavior with reinforcement and punishment is a process called operant conditioning.

Isolation is extremely detrimental since the person’s comfort zone tends to decrease in size over time. In my case, I started out avoiding stores. Then, I avoided going out public at all. My comfort zone was my home. Then, my comfort zone continued to shrink until I was practically confined to my bedroom and could no longer even check my mail without experiencing terrible anxiety. I was surprised to find out that this is actually a common course of the illness.

So, I’ve begun to challenge myself to go out in public at least once a week. Going out in public has decreased the anxiety tremendously. I encourage anyone who suffers from anxiety or panic attacks related to being in public to try their best to force themselves to be outside their comfort zone regularly.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant that is also used to treat anxiety. If the person suffers from anxiety and Wellbutrin is a viable treatment option, the physician may prescribe this medication to alleviate the anxiety symptoms. Some users have experienced relief from anxiety attacks and other anxiety symptoms with Wellbutrin.

How Does Wellbutrin Work?

Two neurotransmitters that can cause depression symptoms at lower than normal levels are dopamine and norepinephrine. Wellbutrin works by blocking neurons from reabsorbing dopamine and norepinephrine that they release. This leaves more norepinephrine and dopamine active in the brain.

Uses for Wellbutrin

A physician may prescribe Wellbutrin for adults who suffer from depression or anxiety. Major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder are the most common psychiatric illnesses treated with this medication. Wellbutrin is also prescribed to help people quit smoking. This medication is not prescribed to people who have eating disorders or seizure disorders. The person may need to take the Wellbutrin for at least four weeks before the person experiences the full benefit of the medication.

Side Effects of Wellbutrin

Like many medications, Wellbutrin has a risk of serious side effects. The risk of the serious side effects increases if the person is taking a dose higher than 450 mg. Common side effects of Wellbutrin include nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sore throat, dry mouth, weight loss, flatulence, constipation, and gas. One benefit of Wellbutrin for anxiety instead of other antidepressants is that Wellbutrin has less sexual side effects than many antidepressants.

Wellbutrin and Anxiety

Though Wellbutrin is typically prescribed for depression, a psychiatrist may prescribe Wellbutrin for anxiety disorders. Two reasons a psychiatrist may do this is if the patient is also suffering from symptoms of depression or if the patient has not be treated successfully with anti-anxiety medication. Unfortunately, finding the right medication for anxiety is trial and error. There are no diagnostic tests to use to identify what medication a person needs to treat an anxiety disorder successfully. If the symptoms of anxiety continue or worsen, the person has bothersome side effects, or suicidal thoughts occur, the person should discuss these problems with the physician.

A phobia is an intense fear associated with an object or situation that does not pose the degree of danger that the intensity of the fear would suggest. For example, a person with a phobia of clowns may cry or scream from fear at the sight of a clown. However, a clown does not pose any real danger.

People with phobias tend to avoid the object or situation that they fear. This is counterproductive. Many treatments for phobias use exposure therapy. A phobia treatment involves exposing the person with the phobia to the feared object repeatedly to show that no danger exists. This is a process that is done repeatedly with a gradual increase in intensity.

A psychological process called extinction is reducing a fear response to an object by repeated exposure that does not have negative consequences. After repeated exposure to the object of the specific phobia without danger, the mind learns that the object is not dangerous after all. This gradually reduces the fear that the phobia generated.

Recent research has been done on increasing the effectiveness of extinction therapy as phobia treatment. The study showed that extinction is most effective if the person is exposed to the feared object to trigger the memory of the phobia three minutes to six hours before extinction treatment for phobias begins. This elicits the phobia memory and causes it to be rewritten during the exposure therapy. If the memory is not provoked first, the exposure therapy for phobias forms a new memory instead of rewriting the memory or learned response that is causing the phobia.

The three minute to six hour period of time in which the repeated exposure to the feared object is most effective for rewriting the memory and reducing the fear response is called the consolidation period. The study suggested that if the extinction training occurs after the consolidation period and forms a new memory, the person does not have the same relief from phobias. Instead, when the person is presented with the feared object, the phobia memory and the harmless memory formed during the extinction training are in competition. The person may react in a phobic response, especially if the person is experiencing high levels of stress.

Research like this on the ability to rewrite memories so that they are less traumatic provides hope that the anxiety disorders such as phobias and PTSD can be treated effectively without medication.

On November 30, 2009, the manufacturer of Cymbalta, Eli Lilly and Company, announced that Cymbalta received FDA approval for maintenance generalized anxiety disorder treatment in adults. Cymbalta is the brand name for duloxetine HCl. Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include excessive worry, restlessness, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.

Cymbalta had been previously used as an acute generalized anxiety disorder treatment in adults. Now, a clinical trial has shown that Cymbalta is also a safe and effective maintenance treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Since this anxiety disorder can be a long-lasting, chronic condition, a new treatment option is considered possibly beneficial for those who may not be happy with the results of their current treatment methods.

Using Cymbalta for generalized anxiety disorder helps reduce the anxiety symptoms and increase the individual’s ability to function normally. In addition to using Cymbalta for anxiety, Cymbalta is used to treat major depression, fibromyalgia, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Possible Cymbalta side effects include diarrhea, headaches, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and fatigue. The exact way that Cymbalta works in not understood, but this is not uncommon among many psychoactive medications.

Other generalized anxiety disorder treatment methods include antidepressant medication, BuSpar, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is focus on changing thought processes and behavior. A patient receiving cognitive behavioral therapy will often form and work on completing treatment goals. It is a proactive type of therapy.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a fairly common psychiatric condition. Nearly seven million Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms impair the person’s ability to function socially and occupationally.

In addition to therapy and prescribed medication, the person with generalized anxiety disorder may help the condition by living a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet, regular sleep routine, relaxation techniques, and exercise. Kava, vitamin B, folic acid, and valerian are alternative medications for anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder.

Lifestyle changes and alternative medicines for generalized anxiety disorder do not necessarily eliminate the symptoms. A person should not stop taking prescribed medication without first discussing the treatment with the physician or psychiatrist.

Some psychological terms can be confusing. Some words may be unfamiliar to the general public. A mental health term may have a different meaning when it is used in everyday speech. For example, depressed is a term commonly used to mean sad, but the word “depressed” in a psychiatric context takes on a whole new meaning.

Because I have a background in psychology, feel free to use the comments section to ask questions about psychological terms that you may have whether your question is about anxiety disorders or other psychological topics or other mental illnesses.

People may become confused by the use of “panic attacks” and “anxiety attacks.” What is the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks? These terms are synonymous and often used interchangeably. There is no difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack.

The psychological disorder most commonly associated with panic attacks is panic disorder. Panic attacks can occur with other psychiatric disorders as well. A panic attack includes the sudden development of four or more anxiety symptoms like pounding or racing heart, numbness, dizziness, sweating, fear of dying, nausea, and trembling or shaking. Many of these separate anxiety symptoms of panic attacks can be present with other anxiety disorders.

Panic attacks typically last for several minutes. Having some panic attack symptoms is not enough to warrant a diagnosis of panic disorder. The diagnosis of panic disorder not only requires the presence of four of these symptoms, but the symptoms must have a sudden onset and the panic attacks must be recurring.

Panic and anxiety attacks http Internet resources can be valuable sources of information to learn about panic attacks. One informative panic and anxiety attack http resource is the About.com page on panic disorder. This website includes information about the symptoms of anxiety attacks, treatments, and other panic attack facts.

WebMD.com also has a wealth of information on anxiety disorders and panic attacks. This panic and anxiety attacks http resource includes many panic attack facts and information on anxiety disorders.

I have written several panic and anxiety attacks http resources as articles on PTSD Central as well as my article called “Stopping Anxiety Attacks with Positive Self-Talk” on HubPages.com. I will continue to add more articles about panic attacks and anxiety disorders to both websites.

A fear of flying is a common phobia in the United States. Aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia, and pteromerhanophobia are some of the names given to the phobia of flying. Some resources say that this phobia affects over ten percent of Americans.

People who do not have the fear of flying may assume that the fear resulted from a bad experience during a flight. In many cases, a traumatic flying experience is the root of the fear. Especially since 9/11, the phobia of flying has been associated with a fear of terrorism by many people.

The fear from past experiences and fear of terrorism are only two possible causes of the fear of flying. The individual may be completely aware of why they have this phobia. For some people, the phobia of flying is a complex problem with multiple causes that the individual may have difficulty identifying.

The fear of flying may involve two other common fears, claustrophobia and the fear of heights. Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed places. During a flight, the person is forced to remain in the often crowded enclosure of the plane which can be a trigger for those with claustrophobia.

A fear of heights, known as acrophobia, obviously can impact a person’s comfort level during the flight. Even those who do not have a fear of heights may have some fear associated with the height and potential fall of an airplane in flight.

Some people experience heightened anxiety and fear when they cannot be in control of their circumstances. While in an airplane, the passenger has no control over the destiny of the flight. This fear over a lack of control can be further antagonize by the rigid expectations of their behavior during the flight. For example, when the passengers must be seated, the passengers have no other choice. Therefore not only are they not in control of the success of the flight, but they have little control over such things as when they are allowed to stand or who is seated in close proximity to them.

Other stressors related to the flight can make the person susceptible to fear or panic associated with the flight. If the purpose of the flight is an emotional one or if the person already has anxiety about the destination, this heightened anxiety or emotional response can diminish the person’s ability to combat the fear of flying.

There are many methods of fear of flying treatment. Hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy are two forms of treatment for fear of flying. Understanding the cause of this phobia may help the treatment be as effective as possible.

Pristiq or its generic form called desvenlafaxine may be prescribed for anxiety disorders or depression. Pristiq may reduce anxiety attacks caused by panic disorder. Pristiq for anxiety is an effective medication for many people.

The antidepressants that are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders such as Paxil are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Unlike these common antidepressants, Pristiq affects both serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. Many antidepressants including the SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Pristiq and other selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephine in the brain.

It is recommended to take Pristiq with a full glass of water. People should take this medication as prescribed by the doctor or psychiatrist. Abruptly stopping the medication can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and the sensation of a mild electrical shock.

One of the common side effects of Pristiq is suicidal thoughts. These suicidal thoughts are most common when beginning this medication. They often stop after taking the medication for seven days. The suicidal thoughts from Pristiq can be worse for people under the age of twenty-four years old.

When taking Pristiq for anxiety the person may develop other side effects. Other side effects of Pristiq include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, dry mouth, sleep problems, mild headaches. People may experience sexual side effects of Pristiq such as decreased sex drive or impotence. If the side effects of Pristiq are bothersome, the person should discuss this difficulty with their doctor or psychiatrist.

At the time this article was written, Pristiq was featuring a coupon offer on their website for fifty percent off the prescription price or insurance prescription copay for Pristiq. Offers like this from pharmaceutical companies can be extremely helpful for people struggling with the costs of prescriptions.

The person should not get discouraged if the anxiety is not improving with Pristiq. It may be necessary to try several different medications before finding the best prescription drug for the person’s anxiety. If a family member has anxiety that is effectively treated with a medication, let the doctor or psychiatrist know. Many times, a medication that effectively treats a family member’s anxiety will also work for other family members.

Some alternative treatments for anxiety include herbal remedies, acupuncture, and aromatherapy for anxiety. One alternative treatment for anxiety may work well for one person with an anxiety disorder, but not provide relief for someone else. These alternative treatments for anxiety are just a few treatment options. Individuals with anxiety disorders need to find the treatments that work best for them. An alternative treatment for anxiety may be used alone, in combination with other alternative treatments, or with traditional treatments.

Herbal treatment for anxiety can often help reduce the anxiety symptoms. Kava kava, St. John’s Wort, and Passionflower are some of the herbal treatments for anxiety. The person should not take herbal remedies for anxiety if they are taking antidepressants or other medication before discussing this with their physicians. Taking St. John’s Wort and Paxil can cause a potentially fatal drug interaction. Other antidepressants may also interact badly with certain herbal remedies for anxiety disorders. Therefore, the person should always consult their physician before using any herbal supplements.

Herbal natural remedies for anxiety include taking 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium twice a day. It is commonly recommended to take these supplements in the morning and at night. Another common dietary recommendation is to avoid caffeine. If the person wishes to stop consuming caffeine and the person currently consumes quite a bit of caffeine daily, the person should consider gradually decreasing the caffeine intake over time. Abruptly quitting the caffeine intake can cause withdrawal symptoms such as moderate to severe headaches.

Be wary of any product that claims to be an herbal cure for anxiety. Some such products may be beneficial in reducing anxiety, but there is no known cure for anxiety.

Acupuncture therapies are one option for an alternative treatment for anxiety and anxiety disorders. At least one scientific study has shown the benefits of acupuncture therapies for generalized anxiety disorders and elevated levels of anxiety. The acupuncture therapy that has shown some promise in anxiety treatment is focused on the outer ear. In some cases, acupuncture of the outer ear was shown to be as effective as prescribed drugs.

Aromatherapy holistic treatment uses essential oils to calm anxiety. Some essential oils that are often used for anxiety disorders include rose, lavender, and rosemary. Essential oils are sometimes sprayed onto a material like a handkerchief that is smelled when anxiety is high. Essential oils may also be added to bathwater. An aromatherapy professional can offer guidance on how to best utilize aromatherapy methods for treating the person’s specific anxiety symptoms. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should consult a physician before using aromatherapy for anxiety.

Hydroxyzine Pamoate 25mg Capsules

One of the prescription drugs for anxiety is Vistaril. Also available as the generic medication hydroxyzine pamoate, Vistaril may be prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Vistaril may be used to treat anxiety related to specific situations such as anxiety prior to medical procedures or anxiety in the workplace. Vistaril may be prescribed for other psychiatric illness or medical conditions.

Vistaril for anxiety can help alleviate symptoms such as muscle tension, nervousness, and worry. The psychiatrist or physician may prescribe adult doses of 25, 50, or 100 milligrams to be taken daily. Sometimes, the medical professional prescribes the medication to be taken multiple times a day or as needed.

Many people are bothered by the common side effects of Vistaril. Drowsiness is often a bothersome side effect. Some people may be so bothered by the drowsiness that they do not take the Vistaril as prescribed. If drowsiness of other side effects of Vistaril are problematic, the person should discuss this with their doctor. Often, an adjustment in the dosage can alleviate the side effects. In some cases, the psychiatrist may want to try one of the other prescribed drugs for anxiety.

Dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision are other possible side effects of Vistaril. Vistaril for anxiety disorders is only one treatment option. A person experiencing side effects may want to ask about other prescription drugs for anxiety.

When looking for the best prescription drug for anxiety that the person is experiencing, the physician may ask if any family members are taking medication for anxiety. This is because a prescription medication used to successfully treat anxiety in a family member is often also effective for other family members.

Many people think about the emotional effects of anxiety and stress. When exposed to stress, people may feel overwhelmed. Negative thoughts such as “Everything is going wrong” are common when someone feels overwhelmed with stress. Irritability is another common emotional response to anxiety or stress. Cognitive symptoms of stress and anxiety include difficulty concentrating and feeling that the mind is blank. Stress and anxiety cause physical symptoms as well as emotional distress and cognitive symptoms.

Headaches are one of the most common physical symptoms of stress. Sleep disturbances are also very common. The person may have difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, or their sleep may be restless.

Other physical symptoms of anxiety and stress include muscle tension, fatigue, sweaty palms, and restlessness. If someone is experiencing extreme anxiety such as during a panic attack, the person may have heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea, pounding heart, chills or hot flashes, dizziness, trembling or shakiness, feeling as if they are choking, numbness or tingling sensations, stomach pain or diarrhea, and chest tightness from anxiety.

Stress and anxiety can make a person prone to some health problems or make existing problems more difficult to treat. Diabetes is negatively impacted by anxiety and stress. People with diabetes may need to take more insulin than usual when they are under significant stress. Stress management is often considered part of managing diabetes.

If the person is under considerable stress for an extended period of time, the stress can suppress the immune system. This makes the person more susceptible to colds, viral infections, and bacterial infections.

Many doctors and medical professionals have linked stress to everything from heart disease to abdominal fat which can increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The research on how stress affects the development of disease is still scientifically unproven. However, many health organizations warn that there seems to be some link between the risk of some diseases and stress, the exact nature of the link just hasn’t been identified yet. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to get stress and anxiety under control.

Stress management techniques can be used to alleviate the emotional, mental, and physical symptoms of anxiety stress. Stress management can be an exercise like progressive relaxation which is specifically designed to reduce stress or it can be as simple as taking time out for yourself.

Progressive relaxation is one relaxation technique that can be used for stress reduction for anxiety. It can also be helpful for people with insomnia or sleep disturbances related to anxiety or depression.

One thing that is beneficial for some people is to play soft, soothing music while doing the progressive relaxation exercise. Classical music or relaxation tapes that feature nature sounds can help set the mood for the relaxation.

There are several methods of progressive relaxation for anxiety. The individual may want to try these variations or others to find the one that works best for them.

The first step is to get comfortable lying on the bed. The arms and legs should be in relaxed, outstretched positions.

For one progressive relaxation method, the person begins at the toes and works their way up to their head. Beginning at the toes, the person should feel the weight of the toes and feet. After taking a moment to sense the weight of the feet, feel the feet relax into the bed.

The person then feels the weight of the lower legs. The person should relax the lower legs and feel them sink into the bed. One body part at a time from the feet to the head, the person feels the sense of weight for each part of the body and relaxes each body part. Feel the body part sinking into the bed before moving to the next body part.

The other method of progressive relaxation uses the image of a small ball or coin. The person begins by imagining the small ball or coin resting on the forehead. The mind is quieted. The muscles of the face, head, and neck are relaxed.

Then, the ball slowly moves downward. The person may want to imagine the ball travelling over the shoulder and down the arms. As the ball slowly travels over a body part, the person relaxes that body part. From the fingers, the ball travels back to the chest. Breathing is slow and calm. The ball continues to travel down the body to the toes. The person continues to relax each body part as the ball rolls over it.

Another variation of progressive relaxation includes a tensing or tightening of the muscles before relaxing them. For example, when the image of the ball is over the hand, the person would clench their fist and hold it for a several seconds before relaxing the hand.

Progressive relaxation is one stress management anxiety reduction method. The person should not wait until they are overwhelmed with anxiety to use stress management anxiety reduction methods. When a person has problems with anxiety, the person should include stress management techniques in their regular routine. Other stress management techniques include aromatherapy, aerobic exercise such as walking, journaling, and participating in a hobby.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a psychiatric condition that causes the person to become overwhelmed with anxiety or thoughts of worry. A person who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder has experienced anxiety or worrying most days for at least six months.

Even though it may take some time, effective treatment can alleviate the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. In addition to the anxiety and worry, other symptoms that may need to be treated are sleep disturbances, muscle tension, restlessness, and irritability.

There are two main components of generalized anxiety disorder treatment. A combination of prescription medication and therapy has been beneficial for many people with generalized anxiety disorder.

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication may be used for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Some of the antidepressants commonly used are Effexor, Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro. Buspar is an anti-anxiety medication that is sometimes used with the antidepressants.

Sedating medications known as benzodiazepines were more commonly used for anxiety in the past, but are rarely used now. These medications can cause problems with addiction and withdrawal. Therefore, when they are used, they are typically only used temporarily. Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin are examples of benzodiazepines that are sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

For people who are having difficulty sleeping, the doctor may prescribe a sleep medication to help them get back on a regular sleeping routine. Like the benzodiazepines, these medications are often only prescribed temporarily until the person is able to get sufficient sleep on their own. Ambien is commonly used to treat sleep disturbances related to anxiety disorders.

Different types of therapy may be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common approach. A person with generalized anxiety disorder is plagued with worry, anxiety, and negative thoughts. The person will often isolate and have other behavior that is not beneficial to emotional wellbeing.

The cognitive behavioral therapy helps the person replace negative thoughts and anxiety with positive thoughts based on reality. Behaviors that are helpful are used to replace behaviors that may have made the person’s condition worse.

Home treatment for generalized anxiety disorder includes exercising regularly and doing relaxation techniques for stress management and anxiety reduction. Both exercise and relaxation can alleviate anxiety. Eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, and establishing a regular sleep routine are other home remedies for anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder.

To define generalized anxiety disorder, we need to consider what anxiety is normal and what anxiety may be problematic. Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes. A person may be anxious before taking a test or before receiving an evaluation of work performance. People may feel anxious when receiving a bill that is higher than expected. These things are normal.

Typically, when someone experiences normal anxiety, the anxiety goes away once the cause of the anxiety is resolved. For people with generalized anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away. Even if the person with generalized anxiety does not have a situation causing stress, the person may still feel worried or anxious.

What is generalized anxiety disorder? Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by a period of worrying and being anxious for most days during a period lasting at least six months. People with generalized anxiety disorder may not be able to stop themselves from worrying.

During this period of excessive worry, the person may also experience other generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. The person may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Someone with generalized anxiety disorder may be able to sleep, but it may be a restless sleep that leaves them feeling tired.

Irritability and muscle tension are other symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. This disorder can cause the person to feel easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. People with generalized anxiety disorder may feel on edge or restless.

Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder often includes both therapy and prescribed medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help the person to stop the worrying and other negative thinking. One of the key components of cognitive behavioral therapy is the replacement of negative thinking and unhealthy behaviors with realistic and positive thoughts and behavior that will perpetuate wellness.

Prescribed drugs for generalized anxiety disorder include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Effexor are some of the antidepressants commonly used in treating generalized anxiety disorder. Sedating medication called benzodiazepines like Xanax and Zalium may be used, but are often only used on a short-term basis since they can cause problems with addiction.

It may take some time for people with generalized anxiety disorder to find the best treatment for them and receive relief from the symptoms. If the first treatment tried does not work well, the person should try to remain hopeful and positive. Generalized anxiety disorder is a very treatable condition.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that causes excessive worry even when the person’s stressors, or things that normally cause stress, are well within normal range. In other words, even if a person with generalized anxiety disorder has nothing to be stressed about, the person will still be plagued with worry. Generalized anxiety disorder can be a debilitating condition.

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms are both emotional and physical. One of the defining symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder is having excessive worry or anxiety for more days than not. This tendency to be anxious and worrisome must last for at least six months to be considered generalized anxiety disorder.

The person may have no desire to worry or be anxious. However, someone with anxiety disorder has difficulty stopping these negative thoughts. The person may have no ability to stop worrying until they receive effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder that helps them control the anxiety.

For a person to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, they must have at least three of the following generalized anxiety symptoms:

Feeling easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling on edge or restless
Muscle tension
Irritability
Difficulty sleeping, which can be insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

The generalized anxiety disorder symptoms may cause impairment in the person’s ability to function normally. The person may tend to isolate and cut themselves off from friends and family. The person may experience difficulty at work due to the generalized anxiety symptoms.

The worry cannot be attributed or focused on another psychological condition for it to be considered generalized anxiety disorder. For example, if a person is having difficulty sleeping due to posttraumatic stress disorder and worries about having flashbacks or has worry related to the trauma, chances are the person does not have generalized anxiety disorder. In that case, the worry is related and almost expected at times of someone with posttraumatic stress disorder. In other words, another psychiatric illness cannot be causing the generalized anxiety symptoms.

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder cannot be caused by a medical condition, medication, or illicit drugs for the symptoms to be considered evidence of generalized anxiety disorder.

The Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) is a tool that provides a general measure of the person’s anxiety level. For each of the twenty questions for the Zung Self-rating Scale for anxiety disorders, the person taking the test marks whether the statement applies to them a little of the time, some of the time, a good part of the time, or most of the time.

The twenty statements are:

1. I feel more nervous and anxious than usual.
2. I feel afraid for no reason at all.
3. I get upset easily or feel panicky.
4. I feel like I’m falling apart and going to pieces.
5. I feel that everything is alright and nothing bad will happen.
6. My arms and legs shake and tremble.
7. I am bothered by headaches, neck and back pain.
8. I feel weak and get tired easily.
9. I feel calm and can sit still easily.
10. I can feel my heart beating fast.
11. I am bothered by dizzy spells.
12. I have fainting spells or feel like it.
13. I can breathe in and out easily.
14. I get feelings of numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes.
15. I am bothered by stomachaches or indigestion.
16. I have to empty my bladder often.
17. My hands are usually dry and warm.
18. My face gets hot and blushes.
19. I fall asleep easily and get a good night’s rest.
20. I have nightmares.

For statements 5, 9, 13, 17, and 19: Add 4 points to the score if you answered “a little of the time.” Add 3 points for “some of the time.” Add 2 points for “a good part of the time,” and 1 point for “most of the time.”

For all the other statements: Add 1 point for “a little of the time,” and 2 points for “some of the time.” Add 3 points for “a good part of the time,” and 4 points for “most of the time.”

Then total all the number to get the score. The score should be between twenty and eighty.

The Zung Self-rating Scale for anxiety score describes the level of anxiety the person has.
• 20-44 Normal Range
• 45-59 Mild to Moderate Anxiety Levels
• 60-74 Marked to Severe Anxiety Levels
• 75-80 Extreme Anxiety Levels

If the person has a score within the moderate, severe, or extreme levels, the person should be evaluated by a physician or psychiatric professional. High levels of anxiety can be a sign of several illnesses and can also cause physical problems. The good news is that anxiety is often very treatable. Seeking professional help can be the first step towards living without elevated anxiety.

Reference:
Zung, W.K. A rating scale for anxiety disorders. Psychosematics. 1971.