Stress can have various negative effects on your body. It can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, chest pain, head and stomach aches, nausea, breathlessness, and even panic attacks. These can harm our body both physically and mentally. Anxiety disorder panic attacks are something each one of us experience at some point of time in our lives.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety can result when performing on the stage, under tough conditions at work, or due to any other stressful situation. It better equips the body to deal with the tension. However, the body has its limits, and excessive anxiety can harm your body. This is termed anxiety disorder.

When the brain feels threatened, anxiety helps to increase blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, and better blood circulation to muscles, enhancing the immunity.

It reduces other functions of the body, like digestion, that do not help such emergency situations. The signs of anxiety are trembling, sweating, pale skin tone, shivering, etc.

Excessive stress can cause continuous anxiety disorders, which reduces proper metabolism and digestion and cause abnormal blood pressure and other conditions of the body that can harm the body greatly.

A Brief Note About Panic Attacks

A sudden impulsive feeling that imparts acute fear in the brain can cause panic attacks. Panic attacks are much more severe compared to anxiety disorders. These can make the victims give up things related to the attack.

A person may experience a panic attack at a certain place, or at a certain time of the day. This can make them avoid that place (e.g. a park or a road) forever or even get them restless at that time of the day repeatedly.

Anxiety disorder panic attacks are not considered extremely dangerous, but can very well result in grave situations. A person under an anxiety disorder panic attack can develop phobias, depression, use harmful drugs, chemicals or medicines to help them out of the situation, sometimes even resulting in suicide.

Anxiety disorder panic attacks need to be treated carefully before they can drive one totally out of their control.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders develop due to an interplay between enviromnental and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic drugs.

However, many patients prefer a natural approach or dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there are many non-prescription supplements available to help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns and get a general checkup from your doctor. Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias.

However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety disorder, the following supplements may be of help, and often have fewer side effects than commercial pharmaceutical products.

Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile leaves, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can be added to water. Chamomile capsules are convenient to take along to work, and don’t take as long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a nerve tonic which also has a restorative (adaptogenic) property. It has a calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system and causes an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. The usual dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and while it has been used safely by Polynesians for centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing it. Ask a health care professional before use if you have a history of liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin).

Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or if pregnant/breastfeeding. Do not combine with alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks without consulting a health care provider. Take frequent breaks from use.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is most often used for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is often included in European formulas for heart palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills.

Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule concentrations of compounds to “nudge” the body into healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are no toxic side effects.

Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep inducing, but it is rarely habituating.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely between brands; it is best to buy a product standardized to contain 3-5% hyperforin and 0.3% hypericin. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if also taking prescription antidepressants.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; while another theory holds that valerian contains GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect on the brain, or else influences the brain’s natural production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac.

If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 times daily to help stress and anxiety. The recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg.

Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities while using valerian, and do not combine it with other sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be habituating.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a relaxing nervous system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant.

Withania (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily.

Suffering from an anxiety disorder is no picnic and if you suffer from any type of anxiety disorder you’ll know this. An Anxiety disorders happens when our brain warns us about a perceived danger that is about to occur. You will also know that the hardest step in curing your anxiety disorder is admitting it to yourself. Once you’ve managed this however, there are a number of options available for you to find a cure for your anxiety disorders. And until you do one of the best stop-gap methods to help you cope with your anxiety attacks is your own form of Anxiety Self Help.

What do I mean by that? Simply, that you can help yourself in the short term to cope with your anxiety attacks whilst deciding on a proper course of treatment to cure your anxiety. It’s not too difficult and can be accomplished without too much fuss or fanfare. Simple everyday things that you can incorporate into your daily life will become part of your anxiety self help routine.

One of the best methods is to keep a list of phone numbers of supportive friends and family on hand so you can call them in case of an imminent attack. Since you’ve come this far in admitting your problem and seeking help for it there’s a good chance that you’ll also have told some friends and family members so the phone list shouldn’t really be too hard. Something to remember when you do call anyone is that it’s best to talk about something other than your incipient panic or anxiety attack. Also don’t forget to ask the person beforehand whether they don’t mind being placed on your emergency phone list. It always helps to give them a heads-up so they don’t stumble onto any sensitive issues.

Another step in your anxiety self help routine is to learn some relaxation techniques. These can help you to de-stress yourself when you feel an attack coming on and can help you cope with your anxiety wonderfully easy when you learn how.

Breathing properly and in a meditative manner is another great must-do in the anxiety self help department and is one of the easiest methods available to you. You can do this anywhere and anytime that you feel a panic attack coming on. Proper breathing techniques can be learned through a variety of methods and can even be self learnt if you can find the correct documentation on it.

There are more great anxiety self help methods available though I’ve only mentioned a few here and you can try one or all of them to find out one that suits you, and that you can utilize when you feel a panic attack or an anxiety attack coming on. Remember though that these anxiety self help methods might not be able to cure your anxiety disorders and are only meant to help you cope with your anxiety attacks. For a cure, proper medical attention should be sought as soon as possible

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders develop due to an interplay between enviromnental and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic drugs.

However, many patients prefer a natural approach or dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there are many non-prescription supplements available to help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns and get a general checkup from your doctor. Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias.

However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety disorder, the following supplements may be of help, and often have fewer side effects than commercial pharmaceutical products.

Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile leaves, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can be added to water. Chamomile capsules are convenient to take along to work, and don’t take as long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a nerve tonic which also has a restorative (adaptogenic) property. It has a calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system and causes an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

The usual dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and while it has been used safely by Polynesians for centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing it. Ask a health care professional before use if you have a history of liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin).

Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or if pregnant/breastfeeding. Do not combine with alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks without consulting a health care provider. Take frequent breaks from use.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is most often used for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is often included in European formulas for heart palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills.

Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule concentrations of compounds to “nudge” the body into healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are no toxic side effects.

Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep inducing, but it is rarely habituating.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely between brands; it is best to buy a product standardized to contain 3-5% hyperforin and 0.3% hypericin. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if also taking prescription antidepressants.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; while another theory holds that valerian contains GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect on the brain, or else influences the brain’s natural production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac.

If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 times daily to help stress and anxiety. The recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg.

Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities while using valerian, and do not combine it with other sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be habituating.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a relaxing nervous system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant.

Withania (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily.

There are times in your life where you feel sorrow and pain, perhaps the death of a loved one or the breaking up of a relationship. There could also be times when you feel that life is just a little too demanding from you, or your career is causing too much stress for you. Whilst all this is normal, prolonged sorrow or a stressed life can begin to interfere with normal patterns of living and may even ultimately lead to symptoms of depression. If you feel this describes you there’s no need to worry as there are many antidepressant medications available today.

Over 17 million American adults experience some form of depression so there’s no need to feel as if you’re alone in suffering. As serious depression can interfere with a person’s normal lifestyle and causes problems with work, social and family living, it should be treated as soon as possible. There are many types of antidepressant medications that are available. However consulting with a trained mental disorders practitioner will reveal the best course of treatment for the sufferer. Feelings of depression can also occur because of this excessive stress that we need to cope with. They are ways that you can try and reduce your anxiety and stress. For people who have anxiety disorders the best treatment that you can get is from your doctor.

While there are different types of antidepressant medications available, some are more suited for various individuals than others. The side effects of each drug and the level of performance effectiveness can vary with each individual. The traditional medication for depression used to be tricyclic antidepressant medications which were named for their chemical structure. The side effects may include blurred vision, dry mouth, and weight gain, fatigue and weakness amongst others. Sometimes you may even experience symptoms that are similar to depression (examples being, fatigue and constipation).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs were often prescribed for “atypical” depression. “Atypical” depression may have symptoms like oversleeping, anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. The side effects for MAOIs are very similar to that of other antidepressant medications. The most common side effects are dizziness and rapid heartbeat. If you’re taking MAOIs there are certain foods and drinks that you must avoid along with certain over-the-counter drugs and other prescription medications. Adverse side effects may occur as a result of incorrectly following medical directions if you’re taking the MAOI antidepressant medications.

Newer antidepressants medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are now available for use. Some examples of SSRIs are Prozac, Luvox, Paxil and Zoloft. Though each of these antidepressant medications are chemically different all of these SSRI’s effectiveness is due to their reaction on serotonin in the brain.

As with all antidepressant medication it takes time before you will see an improvement in your outlook on life. Therefore instead of giving up on the medication you should give it sometime to work. After all it took some time for you to become depressed, therefore it will take time for you to become happy with your life again.

Most of the world’s populace has or will suffer from some kind of mental disorder. It seems that a new one is discovered each month. Never the less these disorders and Phobias can make the life of the suffer quite miserable. One the most common mental conditions is called anxiety or anxiety disorder. There are many derivations of this common mental illness. A severe form is called GAD short for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

In general anxiety is the natural reaction to being exposed to a dangerous, unsecured or threatening experience. GAD on the other hand is an excessive and pathological anxiety. It is so severe that often people who suffer from it cannot normally function in society. Their daily life’s activities are disrupted by unreasonable fears to the point that they are unable do much more than physically exist.

The unique feather of GAD is that is not triggered by a specific incident, situation or object. This “free-floating” anxiety, unlike panic or anxiety attacks does not depend on a memory of a triggering event. Worldwide it is estimated that between 175 and 196 million people suffer from GAD. Women are more likely then men to suffer from this anxiety disorder.

It is generally accepted that generalized anxiety disorder is associated with the irregular levels of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin, Norepinepherine and Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) are chemical neurotransmitters known to be involved with anxiety disorders. Research has shown that all three of these chemicals interact with one another during an anxiety or panic attack. The reduction of one or more of these neurotransmitters can result in the reduction of anxiety.

GAD suffers are at high risk to react to situation or location stress such as in large crowded stores, work place and transportation environments. Normal anxiety stressors like interpersonal relationships at work and school, financial and health problems can increase the affects of GAD symptoms.

Additional psychiatric problems commonly are manifest with GAD. These include depression, phobias and panic disorders. Adding these problems to the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can complicate treatment options. Frequently the patient also will suffer from a number of physical disorders related to stress. These include intestinal, digestion and cardio-pulmonary related problems.

Additional Gad symptoms include sleep disorders, racing thoughts, persistent unreasonable worries, nausea, persistent lack of energy and tiredness, depression, the inability to concentrate, manic like mood swings and inability to use self control around others especially in a social environments. All of which makes the life of a Generalized Anxiety Disorder sufferer absolutely miserable.

As you can clearly see this is a very serious mental disorder that requires serious medical treatment. As with any anxiety disorder the sooner you address the condition the more likely you will have favorable results and outcome. The worst thing a sufferer of GAD can do is ignore their symptoms until they are so affected, they are unable to live a normal life.

If you have one or more of the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder you should consult you family physician. Most likely they will refer you to mental health professional that specializes in treating this serious disorder. Again time is of the essence when treating any mental disorder

For anyone suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety attacks and other similar mental disorders, the desire to find some relief is very important. However there are many different drugs that are available in the market today and finding one that works for you can be a bit daunting. The best way to find the right anti anxiety drugs for you is to talk with your doctor and find a treatment that will alleviate your problems.

If you’re interested, the medical reasoning behind anti anxiety drugs shows they have certain chemicals within them that produce a calming and relaxing effect on the patient. There are however some side effects from these drugs and it’s therefore best to consult with your medical practitioner before you begin a course of treatment with any anti anxiety drugs.

The traditional way to treat anxiety used to be with anxiolytics, which were anti anxiety agents. Today while these anti anxiety drugs are still used there are other methods that are also used. For many people however, treating their excessive anxiety with anti anxiety drugs is the most proven way of reducing their symptoms and allowing them to lead normal lives.

The most popular anxiolytics today is Benzodiazepines. Others like Alprazolam (Xanax) and Lorazepam (Ativan) are also used. Valium (Diazepam) is still widely used to treat the symptoms of anxiety; however its active agent desmethyldiazepam, makes the choice of Valium a dubious relief format.

Another type of anti anxiety medication used is that of SSRIs or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors. These belong in the class of antidepressant drugs. Other types of anti anxiety drugs are serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. The brand names that are given include Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine and others. These SSRIs have milder forms of side effects than that of the usual anti anxiety drugs, and there is also less chance of becoming dependent upon these drugs. The main drawback to SSRIs is that you must take them continuously for up to three to five weeks before any sign of improvement begins to show.

While there are known and reported side effects from the continued use of Benzodiazepines and Buspirones, people suffering from milder complaints can use these anti anxiety drugs without becoming overly addicted to them. Benzodiazepines can be given at least 30 to 60 minutes before a person suffering from anxiety is exposed to any stressful situations. Buspirones take at least 2 to 3 weeks before an improvement can be seen.

You should also be aware of the side effects that some of these anti anxiety drugs can have on you, especially if you suffer from certain medical conditions or suffer from allergic reactions to certain drugs, or are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or you’re a breast feeding mother. As with all drugs and treatments you should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any medication. It is hopeful that talking with your doctor will provide you with the information necessary to help reduce and cure your anxiety successfully.

Anxiety- Best Way to Cure Yourselves

“Get over it” or “Smarten up” is that what we tell, or at least think, when one of our friends or a family member has let a situation or event linger? Do we ever consider that they may not be able to just get over it or smarten up; they may be dealing with a real illness and need real help, not criticism.

Anxiety Disorder is a real illness, and is the most common mental health problem in the United States. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 25 million Americans suffer from these disorders. Children as well as adults are afflicted. There are several types of anxiety disorders such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Phobias.



Anxiety creates stress for all of us, at some time, to varying degrees, but it becomes a disorder when it can no longer be seen as rational, or it is adversely affecting someone’s life. Individuals suffer extreme worry, anxiety, panic, or an overwhelming fear of losing control as well as physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders hinder people from living their daily life, let alone enjoying it to the fullest.

If you, or anyone you know, suffer from the following symptoms of anxiety disorder , it is advisable to encourage and/or seek out medical attention. Here is a list of the more common symptoms of the above anxiety disorders:



PTSD

- Overwhelming feeling of panic or fear

- Flashback/reliving of traumatic event

- Nightmares

- Insomnia



Generalized Anxiety Disorder

- Uncontrollable worrisome thoughts about everyday things, without just cause, often exaggerated, lasting for six months.

Although, treatment may be warranted earlier

- Irritability

- Trouble falling or staying asleep



Panic Disorder

- Overwhelming feeling of panic

- Avoidance of people or places

- Fear of losing control



OCD

- Obsessive thoughts, such as germ contamination

- Repetitive actions, such as washing hands or checking if

windows are locked

- Repeating phrases, numbers etc…

Phobias

- Fear that triggers intense anxiety



Many physical symptoms add to the difficulty of anxiety disorders. The following anxiety disorder symptoms spread across much of the disorders. Many people feel nauseous, or their heart races so fast that they feel like they cannot breathe. They often have headaches, feel dizzy, sweat or have chills. Shaking or trembling as well as heavy tension and achy muscles are part of the regular regimen. As well, for someone with an anxiety disorder, chronic sleep problems plague him or her. It becomes a vicious cycle.

Sleep is an essential requirement for good health, both mental and physical. Not getting enough sleep can result in poor work or school performance, impaired judgment and decreased attentiveness, which could result in injury. In addition, some medications given to treat anxiety can cause insomnia, thus the cycle continues.

Often treatment is avoided due to the stigma attached to mental illness. People try to deal with matters themselves. They hear, “Where’s your willpower?” or “All you need is a kick in the butt.”

There are many effective anxiety disorder treatments available. The National Institute of Mental Health states some of the antidepressant medications that have been effective in treatment. Psychotherapy is also recommended in the form of Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral Therapy. It is a good idea to discuss treatment options with your doctor.

On a last note, we, as fellow human beings, need to support all people. Lift the stigma of mental illness and help others and ourselves. We need to take the time to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes before we judge. We also need to understand that mental illness can happen to anyone, at anytime.

Nervous breakdown occurs when a person is suffering from severe stress for a very long time. There is a sudden change in the behavioural pattern of the person. A person with nervous breakdown is unable to perform his normal duties as done by him earlier.

Some other individuals might experience uncontrollable need to cry, loss of energy, withdrawal, confusion, inability to think clearly, sleep disruption or insomnia and a loss of pleasure in day to day activities, a feeling of worthlessness and depression.

These symptoms are termed as the depressive disorders.

Effects of Stress, Anxiety and depression on mental health

Whatever is the reason of the breakdown; all the breakdowns have in common- the inability to function as normal. The person suffering from nervous breakdown is actually suffering from some sort of mental disorder. Stress, depression and anxiety are all responsible and are related to the mental disorders.

The increase of stress, depression, anxiety levels leads to nervous breakdown. The symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety are lack of energy, exhaustion, trembling hands, disturbed sleeping patterns, excessive worries, irritability, isolation, panic, worthless feelings, guilt, headache, muscle pain, increased heartbeat, loss of sex drive and loss of appetite.

Lack of energy is one of the most common symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. Even after trying hard to get energized a person cannot achieve that. All finally results in lesser energetic feeling and accounts to lesser motivation level. In a person suffering from stress, depression is mentally exhaustive and hence he is unable to perform his day to day activities normally. No matter even if he takes rest for long hours, he feels exhausted all the time. The trembling symptom is also one of the features of stress and anxiety.

Effects of the stressful situations

When a person is in a stressful situation the body flows with the powerful chemicals such as the adrenaline. There is a change in the sleeping pattern when the person will tend to sleep too much or sleep only for few hours. Once the stress level decreases then the nightmares will disappear. Excessive worry is another symptom of anxiety, stress even for smallest events in life. The person feels negative about every situation.

The sufferers often feel like being alone as they feel awkward around others and rather are alone to avoid this feeling. Loss of appetite is one of the most common features. Reducing food intake further affects energy levels and deprives the body of nourishment, further aggravates stress, depression and anxiety. All these stressful experiences tend to make a person mentally weak and thus, this leads to mental breakdown.

At one time or another everyone has suffered from a poor night’s sleep. If your lack of sleep continues for more than a few nights you could have a sleep disorder, which have been known to cause depression and anxiety in some people if they do nothing about it. Sleep disorders, along with the depression and anxiety that they can trigger, can be corrected by learning to about the causes of sleep depravation and how to avoid them.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to having a restless night’s sleep. Sometimes a mild environmental factor, such as an overly warm temperature can contribute to having difficulty falling asleep. Of course, there can also be a number of serious factors that can contribute to sleep disorders.

The sleep disorders depression anxiety connection is not one to be taken lightly as the inability to sleep or maintain solid sleeping patterns is often connected with serious underlying psychological and psychiatric problems. Many people can suffer from the affects of disorders for years because of their refusal to deal with certain mental problems.

There is an unfortunate stigmatism associated with mental disorders in that people will think that others will think they are “crazy” if they find out they have a mental condition. The fact is that a lot of people suffer from mental problmes, and many that do live very normal day to day lives because they have educated themselves and learned to cope with their problem.

Understanding Sleep Disorders Depression Anxiety and Their Connection

There are a number of serious psychiatric conditions that can exist beneath the surface of sleeping disorders. Bipolar disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Behavior, etc can all contribute to the myriad of sleep disorders. Also, it must be noted that sleep disorders do not always refer to the inability to fall asleep. Some sleeping disorders that cause anxiety and depression involve sleeping too much, or the inability to stay awake.

In some cases, the inability to stay awake can later be combined with the inability to fall asleep as well. This is common in bipolar sleep disorders depression, anxiety combinations. As such, proper treatment will be required in order to offset such problems.

Proper Treatment of Sleep Disorders Depression Anxiety

The best way to treat these conditions would be to try several natural sleep remedies such as exercising more throughout the day, watching your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, and getting yourself in a sleep routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time every night and morning. Try drinking night time formulated organic tea. You can find it at your local health food store.

You also should learn the deep breathing techniques of meditation. Yoga can be a great way to learn to relax and breath properly. These techniques are all helpful in combating depression and anxiety.

If natural remedies do not work, and you feel that lack of sleep is severely affecting your life, have a complete examination by a psychiatrist. If the psychiatrist notes that a serious sleep depression anxiety problem is present, then the psychiatrist will devise a solid out patient prescription care program that will alleviate the problems. Far too often, people will attempt to self-medicate with over the counter stimulants and/or sleeping aids.

Many over the counter sleep products lack therapeutic value and do not truly address the serious underlying condition of insomnia. As such, proper medical care is of the utmost importance. Of course, in order to do this the patient must himself realize that a serious problem may exist.

Sleep insomnia and its side effects such as depression and anxiety can be very debilitating to our lives. However, there are alternative ways to solve the problem once you educate yourself about yourself and your conditions.

Also, you need to believe that your lack of sleep is a temporary situation that you can fix. You won’t fix any problems unless mentally you believe that is can be done. Hopefully you can naturally get rid of your sleep disorders depression and anxiety. If your depression and anxiety become very serious, your sleep disorder may require medical attention and medication.