Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Anxiety Medication Is It the Answer?

The rate of addiction to anxiety medication is alarming. It has been shown in studies that psychiatrists are prone to prescribe medication when normal cognitive behavioral therapy will suffice. Perhaps its because medication is utterly convenient. However, there are alternative forms of anxiety medication which are non-addicting yet equally effective.

Anxiety Medication A Look at Alternatives

Psychotherapy Anxiety disorders are learned incorrect responses to stimuli. It is quite normal for a person to feel anxiety or fear if the occasion warrants it. However, most people who suffer from anxiety disorders get frightened even if there is no real reason to be afraid. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment where a psychologist helps the patient overcome these anxieties by overcoming their reactions to the things they fear.

A popular method is psychotherapy is desensitization. This involves exposing the patient to the object of his or her fears until the person becomes so thoroughly used to it that the individual no longer feels any anxiety over it. Some use relaxation techniques to control the anxiety or panic attacks. The psychologist will train the patient to engage in breathing exercises or some other activity at the onset of an anxiety attack. The objective is to disrupt the anxiety from escalating.

Exercise Stress severely aggravates anxiety disorders. In many cases, anxiety disorders originate from severe stress. Reducing stress is a good way to relieve anxiety. Exercise is one of the best ways to release stress. Just thirty minutes or one hour of exercise a day is good enough to significantly reduce stress. People will feel more energized, relaxed and healthy. Weightlifting, aerobics and even yoga are excellent activities.

Alternative Therapy Lately, more and more people are looking into natural alternatives. Herbal medicine is becoming very popular amongst those who suffer from anxiety disorders. People are also beginning to look into alternative treatments like acupuncture. While there have been few studies made on alternative treatments, many have been used in the East for centuries and are reputed to be effective.

There are many alternatives to anxiety medication. Unless the disorder is in its advanced stages, make sure to talk to your doctor about all the treatments.

Anxiety Pills Types and Uses

Anxiety pills available in the US fall into seven categories: benzodiazepines, beta blockers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, one azapirone (mild tranquilizer), and an anticonvulsant. Federal law requires that these anxiety pills only be dispensed under a physician’s supervision.

Following are these medications as they apply to specific anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Pills for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Clinical research shows that as much as 65% of patients with this disorder are also afflicted with other psychological disorders as well, particularly major depression and panic disorder. That is why medications for generalized anxiety disorder apply to these conditions as well. They are:

a) Benzodiazepines (also for panic and phobia) e.g., Xanax, Ativan
b) Antidepressants usually Tofranil
c) Azapirone (mild tranquilizer) only BuSpar is sold in the US

New clinical research also reveals SSRIs to be active against this disorder.

Anxiety Pills for Panic Attacks

The most effective panic medications are those that address the two stages of this disorder, particularly the initial stage of anticipatory anxiety as well as the actual onset of panic. These medications are:

a) Benzodiazepines usually Xanax and Klonopin
b) Antidepressants usually Trofanil
c) SSRIs (at times combined with the benzodiazepines) e.g., Prozac, Zoloft
d) MAOIs Nardil was most effective in clinical studies
e) The Anticonvulsant Depakote (valproate)

Anxiety Pills for Social Anxiety Disorder/Phobia

These medications address the tension associated with the disorders, relieving its symptoms, such as shyness, sweaty palms, or an unusually fast heartbeat. They are:

a) The Beta Blockers Tenormin and Inderal
b) Benzodiazepines usually Xanax or Klonopin
c) MAOIs especially Nardil (recently shown to be most effective against social phobia, registering a dramatic improvement rate in 70% of patients in 4 weeks)

Anxiety Pills for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

These drugs do NOT prevent OCD from occurring. Instead, they lessen its intensity so that the individual can use self-help methods to keep symptoms in check.

a) SSRIs e.g., Luvox and Prozac (both vetted by the FDA for OCD), Paxil, Zoloft
b) Antidepressants Anafranil (approved by the FDA for OCD) and Effexor

For those with tics or spasms (e.g., blinking) seen in 20% of Americans afflicted with OCD some doctors combine SSRI anxiety pills with the drug Haldol (haloperidol).

Anxiety Relief the Natural Way

Anxiety relief can really be considered something ironic since the purpose human beings feel anxiety is so they can be galvanized into the right action. It is therefore ironic that many people today are seeking relief from a natural human defense mechanism essential to survival. Nonetheless it is an important issue especially as regards to reducing dependence on prescription anxiolytics (drugs that provide anxiety relief).

One of the best ways to get relief from anxious feelings is to take a stroll in a natural setting (preferably a quiet one) on a nice, sunny day. As you walk make sure that the muscles of your jaw, neck, and back are relaxed and that your arms freely swing. Of course it is best not to dwell on thoughts that you know trigger attacks and instead enjoy your surroundings.

Anxiety Relief through 5 Herbal Remedies

Some of the best remedies against anxiety are vitamins. They are essential to nearly all of our body’s processes, including neurotransmitter syntheses.

Did you know that Vitamin B-complex plays a vital role in breaking down and producing neurochemicals? Without neurochemicals, no neurotransmitter syntheses will take place.

To help with your body’s chemical balance, you can also try the following natural remedies:

a) Ashwaghanda Root - an adaptogen (meaning it can adapt to stresses in the human body) this is said to make you calm even as it makes you strong.

b) Kava Kava - one of the most potent yet safe anxiolytic herbs on the planet, this has been proven by various clinical studies to give short-term relief for both anxiety and depression.

c) Passion Flower a popular anti-anxiety remedy, this makes you calm and may help relieve anxiety related stress.

d) St. Johns Wort commonly referred to as SJW, this has been the most popular anti-anxiety herb for decades. Clinical studies revealed that SJW can relieve anxiety for 2 to 6 weeks.

e) Valerian Root a popular sedative, this works on your central nervous system (CNS), making you sleep easier. Much of the anxiety a person experiences during waking hours may come from sleeplessness or restlessness at night. Clinical studies show 90% effectiveness for Valerian Root in improving the quality of sleep and relaxing the CNS, which leads to anxiety relief.