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Roman RodriguezEnglish 111Professor Monje4-16-16The Most Effective Ways to Relieve AnxietyAn individual’s mental health is just as important as their physical well-being and should be prioritized. For most people, stress is a guaranteed factor in life. Life can be overwhelming, but getting through the day should never feel like an insurmountable task. Unfortunately, those with an anxiety disorder do not experience stress like an individual that does not have a disorder. For someone with an anxiety disorder an important decision, schoolwork, relationships, and anything that induces stress, can seem daunting. There are several cognitive, behavioral, and social ways an individual can relieve their stress. Educating oneself about these anxiety relief techniques will be beneficial to anyone who would like to help themselves or another individual. Anxiety has many different faces and many definitions There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with their own definitions, symptoms, and relief techniques. The types of anxiety disorders include, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Separation Anxiety Disorder (“Anxiety Disorders,” umm.edu). To be officially diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, one must be evaluated by a doctor. It is of utmost importance to be completely honest with the doctor. Although it may be embarrassing or uncomfortable, make certain to include any symptoms of substance abuse and changes in mental health. Being honest with a licensed doctor will allow him to properly diagnose the symptoms. Diagnosing an anxiety disorder can be problematic because the symptoms are similar to nearly all acute disorders of heart and lungs (“Anxiety Disorders” umm.edu). An examination by a doctor is usually the first solution people go to. An alternative to a doctor’s examination is a psychological examination given by a therapist or psychologist. Both physical and psychological examinations delve into family history. By doing so the root causes can be recognized.Anxiety can be caused by a number of factors such as, age, personality traits, family history, social factors, tragic events, and medical conditions. Gender is also a factor and unfortunately, women are twice as much at risk for an anxiety disorders than men. Disorders such as, phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and separation anxiety occur in the childhood stages. But, social phobias and panic disorders are usually diagnosed while an individual is in their teen years. (“Anxiety Disorders” umm.edu). A child’s personality might indicate risks for anxiety disorders in the future. Biology is also a root cause of some anxiety disorders and those with disorders may have developed a hypersensitive amygdala which is the part of the brain that controls fear. Studies show that there is a strong connection between the fears of the parents and the fears of their offspring. Their strong correlation does not come without their share of outliers. Researchers believe that children can ‘learn’ their fears and phobias by simply observing their parent’s reactions to an event. (“Anxiety Disorders” umm.edu). In recent decades, there has been a rise in anxiety levels caused by social factors. In several studies, the social factors were a sense of a more threatening environment and with the rise of social media, lack of social connection also seems to be a problem. For those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the cause is more often than not a traumatic event during childhood. Certain medications have also been known to be the root causes of an increase in risk of panic disorder. Each type of anxiety has its own root causes, diagnoses, and relief techniques.Anxiety disorders come along with variety of treatments. A plethora of anxiety medications can help treat anxiety disorders. Much like there is different medications for different illnesses, there are different medications for anxiety disorders. While anxiety medication is available, it is not the only option to help an individual cope with anxiety. Tranquilizers relieve anxiety by targeting the central nervous system and slowing it down. Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan are Benzodiazepines and are the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety. Fast acting benzodiazepines usually relieve anxiety within a brief period of time, usually thirty minutes to an hour. The side effects of anti-anxiety medications can outweigh the benefits. Those who are prescribed these medications can get addicted and when the individual discontinues their medicine they can suffer withdrawals along with the possibility of the disorders getting worse. Unpleasant side effects of anti-anxiety medications include lack of energy, clumsiness, depression, memory loss, and nausea (“Anxiety Medication” ). Along with benzodiazepines, antidepressants are used to relieve anxiety. Medicines such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro are often prescribed for those with an anxiety disorder. Similar to benzodiazepines, antidepressants owns an abundance of negative side effects. Side effects such as nausea and agitation share similarity to the side effects of benzodiazepines. The third most prescribed medication for anxiety disorders are beta-blockers. Doctors prescribe them to control symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling, and blushing in anxious situations. The National Institute of Mental Health acknowledges beta-blockers such as propranolol and atenolol and their help in the treatment of the physical treatments of anxiety, specifically social anxiety. (“Anxiety Disorders” nimh.). Addiction is a big problem for those people who take anti-anxiety medication. Physical dependence can develop rapidly because these medications are only supposed to be prescribed for a short period of time. After four to six months of regular use, benzodiazepines lose their therapeutic effects. Medication involves an ample amount of risk for those with an anxiety disorders. There are therapeutic options that do not involve the risk factors medications do and may provide a more attractive alternative for those who do not want to undergo medications. Psychological and cognitive solutions include therapy. Hiring a therapist, much like being evaluated by a doctor, a therapist can also provide answers to the root causes and treatments. Tips of relieving anxiety without medication include eating well, limiting alcohol and caffeine, exercise, and accepting that some things are beyond control. (“Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress” ). Keeping up with physical health is also beneficial for the relief of anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications come with a plethora of negative side effects. A regular exercising regiment is one of the most common anxiety relief techniques. Meditation is also a therapeutic alternative, much like anti-anxiety medication targets the central nervous system to slow it down, meditation can also calm the individual. By entering a meditative state an individual experiences a slower heartbeat and gains a clearer mind. Social interactions can be a major problem for someone with an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, the root cause of someone’s anxiety disorder can be traced to social interactions. Service animals can offer a therapeutic way to relieve a person’s anxiety and at most colleges there are exceptions for students with disorders to keep pets in their living areas. Psychotherapy is a popular method of anxiety relief that does not come with the plethora of negative side effects that accompany anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy teaches the patient to regain control of reactions to stress and stimuli, thus reducing the side effects that accompany anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and medication is the most effective way to treat anxiety. (“Anxiety Disorders” umm.edu). During Cognitive-Behavioral therapy a patient will learn to recognize their anxious reactions to stimuli. Usually, a diary is kept to record the events that accompany a person’s anxious reactions. Along with therapy, Systematic Desensitization is used to relieve anxiety. Systematic Desensitization requires the patient to confront their fears much like exposure therapy. This form of therapy is most effective for social phobias, simple phobias, and post- traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders effect a large number of people. There are many different types of anxiety disorders that each have their own symptoms, root causes, and relief techniques. Sharing personal struggles can be therapeutic for many people. Regrettably, I have not been an individual can say that they are comfortable in their own skin. Regardless of a person’s state of mental health, letting someone else know can be the most effective of treatments. Family and friends can offer therapeutic techniques. Anxiety disorders cause menial tasks such as social interactions to be extremely problematic and unbearable. Fortunately for those with anxiety disorders, there is a variety of techniques to relieve anxiety. Anti-anxiety medication can offer quick relief for anxiety disorders, but for some, medication is intimidating and its risks outweigh its benefits. Relieving a person’s anxiety will allow for them to live without the pressure of the symptoms of anxiety.Works Cited"Anxiety Disorders." NIMH RSS. Web. 10 Apr. 2016."Anxiety Disorders." University of Maryland Medical Center. Article. 10 Apr. 2016.Roohafza HR, Afshar H, Keshteli AH, Mohammadi N, Feizi A, Taslimi M, Adibi P. What’s the Role of Perceived Social Support and Coping Styles in Depression and Anxiety? J Res Med Sci 2014;19:944-9.Smith, Melinda, Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Seagal. "Anxiety Medication." : What You Need to Know About Anti-Anxiety Drugs. Article. 10 Apr. 2016."Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress." Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. ................
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