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About Anxiety

Although all people experience anxiety from time to time, anxiety rises to the level of a mental health condition when it interferes with a person’s relationships, job and overall functioning in life. In anxiety disorders, worries and fears are not temporary reactions to stressful circumstances, but are experienced as present most days even when the situation that seemed to cause anxiety has resolved. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S.; it is estimated that 18% of the population is affected by anxiety every year. Read more.

If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, consult with your doctor about treatment options. You may want to consider taking this brief screening tool, then print out your results and show them to your doctor.

Anxiety Disorders – What is Normal?
(Anxiety and Depression Association of America):

 

Myths and Misconceptions About Anxiety (Anxiety and Depression Association of America):
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/myth-conceptions

 

Treatment for Anxiety

Anxiety is a treatable mental health condition; many people find relief with psychotherapy, medication and support groups, especially when these treatment methods are combined.

Psychotherapy (or counseling) using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be very useful. CBT can help people learn healthier ways of coping with anxiety by challenging the thoughts, feelings and behaviors connected to the anxious mood, including common avoidance, over-preparation, and planning behaviors. The goals include developing new, healthier ways to interpret and manage anxious thoughts and feelings, and shifting one’s relationship to the experience of anxiety. There are additional therapy options for anxiety; ask your doctor what might be best for you.

Medication options include the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac or Zoloft, and the Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNIs), such as Pristiq and Effexor. Consult with your doctor to see if medication is right for you.

For more information about treatment methods, visit: https://adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/therapy and https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety

Exercise and Meditation/Mindfulness are very helpful in overcoming both anxiety and depression. Even moderate amounts of exercise can boost energy and well-being, and it also improves sleep quality and self-esteem https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression

Meditation and mindfulness approaches can also help by shifting how we view our experience of anxiety https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-meditation-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder-4143127

For additional information see https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-meditation-anxiety and https://www.anxiety.org/can-mindfulness-help-reduce-anxiety