subject: Anxiety Cures - What's Right for You? [print this page] Anxiety Cures - What's Right for You? Anxiety Cures - What's Right for You?
Is there an effective anxiety remedy that fits you? Remedies vary from things you think, do, or consume. Partly what's right for you depends on the underlying causes to your anxiety. We are not talking about normal or occasional fears, but rather anxiety that gets in the way of normal living. If you are hit with fears like that, there is hope. Treatments are available. The only question is what works for you.If you are reading this article, though, perhaps you have tried different possible remedies with discouraging results. Or maybe you have had a relapse or are newly aware of a problem. Now may be a good time to get a broad view of where you have been and what the possibilities are for you in the future. In other words if you are looking for a quick fix (aren't we all), you may be in for a disappointment unless your next move is just right for you. Ordinarily, the best anxiety fixes take a little learning, discipline, and patience. And that's OK.I. Taking an account of the pastIt may be helpful first to rule out possibilites. Is your anxiety in reaction to a drug you've recently started on? Are you hypertense in reaction to caffeine that may be hidden in a soft drink or food source? Are your anxiety symptoms a sign of some other encroaching health issue like hypoglycemia? Are you lacking in some nutritional item like magnesium? Obviously I'm not suggesting you should diagnose yourself. Let your doctor help with that. But you can make observations about yourself and use these to ask your doctor questions. And making observations may take time. A diary of emotions would help.In addition, there are possible behavioral and emotional triggers. You may not realize how much a birth, death, change in job, divorce, marriage, or other lifestyle change has affected you even if the event is happy, like a birth. What was your relationship with your parents and siblings like when you were growing up? Think about your reactions. Your emotions. When did they change? What triggers your anxiety?Are you afraid to let your perfectionist guard down? Do you feel more calm if you can control everybody? Do you constantly seek the appreciation of others? Do you feel helpless in regard to a relationship or career or your health or finances? Do you obsess over a difficult past event or past blunders?And of course if you find a cause of your anxiety, it will shape your approach to fighting your anxiety.II. Taking note of "remedies" that do not workWhen we deliberately avoid responsibilities or go out of our way to avoid normal life things, the avoidance may make us feel calm. For a while. But over the long haul, it encourages us to avoid more and more. The more we let avoidance win, the stronger it becomes over us.Alcohol may calm temporarily, but it may also enable one to ignore what needs to be faced. And one may find one needs increasing amounts to feel calm ... which leads to worse problems. Self-pity may make help you justify your condition, but how does it help you overcome it? Or on the flip side, blaming yourself may give you a sense of moral accomplishment, but it may also discourage you from taking needed action. And you may not be at fault at all or in some ways. And again, the important question is not if you are partly to blame, but what are you going to do to overcome your anxiety?Or more generally, if you have tried a prescription drug, a calming herb product, a relaxation technique, a therapy, whatever that has not worked, either try something else or add other methods of attacking anxiety.III. Take inventoryWhat is available? Cognitive behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), exposure therapy, emotion freeing technique, deep and slow breathing exercises, calming amino acids and herbs, regular exercise, changing to a less stressful job, prescription drugs, relaxation techniques, aromatherapy, homeopathy, good sleep habits, distracting and enjoyable hobbies, yoga, and so on. Make a list.IV. Take ActionDo research. Try a range of healthy options. Be disciplined in exercising a healthy lifestyle such as good sleep habits, regular exercise, good diet. Pray regularly. Learn to breath deeply and slowly. Set up an appointment with a doctor or therapist. Keep a journal of your emotions. Ask forgiveness of someone you have offended or forgive someone who has offended you. Exercise a positive thought and speech life. Join a group of people who are overcoming their anxiety.Causes of anxiety and panic can be unusual, but most are common, and so popular and effective remedies for others will probably work for you. Try different ones and keep practicing what works for you.
