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Symptoms and treatment of anxiety disorder

Posted by editor07 on Wednesday 01 Apr 2009

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension towards a possible danger or threat. In moderate amounts, anxiety can be adaptive and can prepare us for dealing with a number of threatening situations. But when anxiety is characterized by chronic excessive worry and is not associated with a specific object or situation it becomes a disorder.

Symptoms of excessive anxiety:
Excessive anxiety is difficult to control and is not related to any particular person, situation or thing. It is accompanied by feelings of restlessness or being on the edge, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances and the mind going blank.

A number of individuals experience anxiety before giving examinations going for job interviews, speaking in front of an audience or awaiting their results. They may experience sweaty palms, hyperventilate, shake their head from side to side, feel dizzy, experience rapid pulse rate and may also become uneasy. Individuals who experience anxiety will also notice changes in their physical health such as dry mouth, indigestion, chest tightness, headache and jaw pain. It is essential for you to visit a doctor for getting a proper diagnosis and ruling out other medical problems similar to anxiety.

Treatment of anxiety disorder:

Exercise and relaxation: In order to combat anxiety effectively it is important for you to exercise on a regular basis and take out time for relaxation. This helps fight stress and enables you to develop a positive outlook towards life. Walking, yoga, meditation, swimming, fitness ball and aerobics are some of the best forms of exercising and relaxation.

Herbs for treating anxiety: Passion flower or Passiflora incarnate has been used since ancient times for treating anxiety and insomnia. As per research, passion flower is considered to be equivalent to benzodiazepines. It is recommended to take passion flower as a supplement or as herbal decoction in order to combat anxiety.

Alternative cures: Various alternative therapies such as shiatsu, acupuncture, guided imagery and massage can be used to relive muscle tension, stress and sleeplessness associated with anxiety disorder.

Aromatherapy is also highly beneficial for treating anxiety disorders. The essential oils of lavender, cypress, rose, sandalwood, geranium, melissa and bergamot relax nervous tension thereby, reducing anxiety.