Anxiety disorder is a group of neuroses that includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, as well as a number of specific phobias. Anxiety disorders are extremely common; according to some estimates, one in five people encounters them in one form or another (statistics for developed countries). The most persistent and difficult to treat form is generalized anxiety disorder, and when talking about anxiety disorders, they often mean it.
The importance of the causes of anxiety disorder in the diagnosis of the disease
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - one of the types of neurosis, characterized by persistent general anxiety, not associated with specific circumstances. The disease tends to become chronic, in this case it is characterized by an undulating course, when exacerbations alternate with remissions.
The incidence of GAD among women is twice as high as among men. The disease can begin at any age, including children and adolescents. In adults, it is often accompanied by depression, alcohol or drug dependence, which aggravates the state of the underlying disease.
Determining the cause of the anxiety disorder is a key diagnostic issue, as the treatment strategy depends on it. Symptoms of anxiety disorder can be caused by thyrotoxicosis, so thyroid hormone levels in the blood are part of the test. Similar symptoms can also be caused by cardiovascular pathology, withdrawal syndrome after prolonged therapy with certain drugs, as well as intoxication with certain substances.
When it comes to true anxiety disorder, the quality often has no clearly defined cause other than exposure to stress.
The main symptom of the disorder is, in fact, anxiety, which the patient is unable to control, anxiety is so strong that it seriously reduces the quality of life. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms: increased heartbeat, tremors, muscle tension, sweating, etc. Patients may complain of headache, sleep disorders, abdominal cramps, shortness of breath.
All these signs are nonspecific, they are found both in somatic diseases and in other mental pathologies, for example, depression, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder. It also happens that patients experiencing severe anxiety due to certain circumstances or events go to the doctor with complaints of anxiety disorder. Despite the fact that their condition may be quite serious and requiring medical attention, the diagnosis of anxiety disorder is not confirmed. Diagnostics must be very thorough, it requires high competence from the doctor, as well as a complete examination of the patient.
An anxiety disorder test is considered positive if a state of increased anxiety, which has no justification in the form of any object or event, causes the patient not only mental, but also physical, as well as vegetative symptoms that reduce his quality of life and lasts six months or longer ...
Thus, the answer to the question whether an anxiety disorder is curable without going to a doctor or not is negative.
Modern medical treatment for anxiety disorder abroad
Treatment of anxiety disorder abroad is carried out in two directions - medication and non-medication, with the second direction playing the main role. Drug therapy is used to relieve acute symptoms, and then in cases where non-drug is ineffective.
Treatment is usually started with taking tranquilizers (sedatives) from the benzodiazepine group, for example, Diazepam, and they are prescribed in a short course in order to avoid the formation of drug dependence. In addition, prolonged use of benzodiazepines leads to depletion of the resource of the nervous system, which manifests itself in the fact that their therapeutic effect disappears. It should also be borne in mind that these drugs do not cope with depression.
In case of ineffectiveness of benzodiazepines, antidepressants of various groups may be prescribed. However, they may not be effective enough, this is observed in about 1/3 of patients. In this case, it is recommended to use anticonvulsants (Pregabalin) and atypical antipsychotics (antipsychotics) in the treatment of anxiety disorder abroad. Unlike previously used typical ones, they have fewer side effects.
Find out the cost of a course of treatment for anxiety disorder
To find out the cost of treating anxiety disorder at the Renaissance Clinic, you need to take the following steps:
- Fill out the contact form on the site, indicating the current contacts to contact you.
- Wait for the consultant's answer, describe the problem to him.
- Send medical documents to the proposed e-mail.
- Consult an anxiety specialist online (free).
After that, an individual treatment program will be drawn up with an indication of its cost. This is necessary, since the course of treatment for anxiety disorder can be very variable, it all depends on the severity of the pathology, length of service, age, the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.
Generally speaking, one and the same course in the Moscow branch of the Renaissance will cost the same as in Israel, which corresponds to the average world prices, and about the same as in private clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Read reviews of anxiety disorder treatment
“I suffered from GAD for many years, and I was sure that it was incurable. Exactly until I got to the Renaissance, where both the treatment and the doctors - everything was not at all what I was used to. to the fact that the doctor wrote out another prescription, and I just drank the pills, without which I could not function normally, until the next visit, etc. In the Renaissance, for the first time I felt not a faceless patient, but a person. The pills that undermined my health and which I thought I was doomed to drink all my life, I no longer need. Anxiety is defeated, I am no longer afraid. I am happy. "
Zimina O.A., Moscow.
"Panic attacks - I made such a diagnosis to myself, having passed the diagnostics on the Internet. I was also treated there, having studied various sources, talking to people like me on the forums. I do not trust), I was advised by the Renaissance. With the disease I missed, but quite a bit. Nervosis turned out to be an anxiety disorder. In the Renaissance they coped with it perfectly, and what is important for me, without resorting to drugs - I was very afraid of them, I read about a side effect. Good clinic, good doctors! "
Rosenblat Faina Mikhailovna, Sochi.
Anxiety is a condition that manifests itself in the form of anxiety and other similar feelings (fear, apprehension, anxiety), while there may be no visible and objective grounds for these manifestations. Anxiety as a condition is important to distinguish from anxiety. The latter is short-lived or has serious reasons. The state of anxiety, as a rule, is long-term, it is often difficult for a person to name what is its cause. Sometimes they talk about anxiety as a character trait, when a person, for example, is constantly and strongly worried about things that the overwhelming majority of people treat calmly. This condition can manifest itself at any age and is diagnosed in both adults and children. Extreme manifestations of anxiety significantly spoil life and require psychological correction.
Anxiety is a negative experience. It can appear in a variety of situations, including those that are not considered a cause for concern. Different categories of adult patients may have negative expectations about various upcoming events, as well as loved ones or some other factors.
Anxiety in men
Although men are considered to be less prone to anxiety than women, certain males are characterized by a state of increased anxiety. This state can begin with anxiety, which has some basis under it (problems at work, in personal life, general dissatisfaction with one's position). However, if a person prefers not to notice the problem, turns a blind eye to their own emotions (or, even worse, relaxes with alcohol), anxiety can develop into a state of constant anxiety. Then the man begins to worry about any reason. In this case, finding the cause and working it out can be much more difficult. In some cases, you cannot do without the help of a psychotherapist.
A certain level of anxiety is normal. However, a long stay in this state leads to the fact that men become too vulnerable and vulnerable - primarily in the field of interpersonal relationships.
A separate type of anxiety that is characteristic of men is sexual anxiety, which manifests itself in the form of anxiety associated with sex and interferes with the realization of sexual opportunities. At the same time, failures that appear in a man's intimate life on the basis of sexual anxiety, in turn, aggravate a person's condition and lead him to a kind of vicious circle, since the repetition of failures increases anxiety, which leads to further problems.
Statistics show that women are more prone to anxiety than men. Some psychologists suggest that such a predisposition is not a property of the female psyche initially; anxiety is part of the society's perception of the “typical woman”. At the same time, the majority of adult women are characterized by the acceptance of their anxiety as emotionality and sensitivity, which is not considered by them to be a negative factor.
Anxiety during pregnancy
The period is characterized by certain changes in a woman's thinking, including an increase in the level of anxiety. Pregnancy anxiety is usually caused by a lack of trust - and, in the first place, a woman lacks confidence in herself. If this is the first pregnancy, then even reading specialized literature and numerous forums cannot save a woman from the fear of the unknown and the accompanying disturbing thoughts.
The reasons for a serious change in the psychological state of a woman are hormonal changes that begin to occur from the first trimester of pregnancy. The reasons for concern are the baby's condition, own health, and towards the end of the third trimester - the birth process itself. In order to avoid the formation of excessive anxiety, it is recommended first of all to approach pregnancy planning consciously; it has been proven that it is much easier for women planning pregnancy in advance to tune in to a positive mood. But you should not succumb to the influence of those for whom pregnancy has become a negative experience: situations that have not yet happened and may not happen at all, a woman begins to project onto herself in advance and show concern about this.
The psychological atmosphere in the family where the pregnant woman lives is not the least contributing to the formation of feelings of anxiety. Therefore, the environment of the pregnant woman should take care to keep her calm and not provoke conflicts that are non-constructive in nature.
Anxiety in a nursing mom
When the pregnancy is left behind, the woman's body is going through another hormonal change, which affects the mood of the young mother not for the better. Combined with the need to adapt to a new social role and the increased burden of caring for a child, this becomes a factor in the formation of a high level of anxiety. During the nursing period, nervous tension can provoke the so-called oxytocin blockade - the mother's condition blocks the production of oxytocin, which is responsible for the contraction of the mammary glands, which in turn facilitates the flow of milk from the breast. As a result, increased anxiety can lead to the fact that a lot of milk is produced, but feeding the baby is difficult, which is why both he and the woman experience inconvenience and additional stress.
Anxiety and stress can lead to the opposite process, when the amount of milk in a young mother begins to decrease, which in turn starts a new circle of experiences.
Increased anxiety in the postpartum period is noted almost as often as postpartum depression. About 10% of young mothers suffer from clinical anxiety, while symptoms such as anxiety, various fears can appear in the first few weeks after childbirth and last several weeks, or even more. Since the state of anxiety is negative for both the mother and the child, it is necessary to create conditions for overcoming it: a calm environment, support of loved ones, sufficient rest. If such measures do not help, it makes sense to contact a psychologist who will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Anxiety in the elderly is a common disorder, and about 20% of older people experience this condition on an ongoing basis. In old age, there are several types of anxiety disorder:
- Phobias.
In old age, the most common are the phobia of death, illness (both one's own and those of loved ones).
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
For such people, anxiety can be triggered by any factor, from family problems to visiting a doctor.
- Social anxiety.
A person in old age may, for some reason, begin to avoid contacts, worry too much about the most ordinary meetings.
In older people, persistent anxiety can cause physiological disorders, including those that significantly reduce the quality of life. The high-risk group includes people who have previously been exposed to severe stress, have experienced severe grief, and also consume large amounts of caffeine and alcohol. Fears about the approaching old age and the state of helplessness, loneliness, can also lead to the formation of anxiety disorder.
Since for many older people such experiences are not a reason for contacting a specialist, their loved ones need to be more attentive. The joint work of a psychologist and a patient will help, if not completely overcome a person's anxiety, then at least improve the quality of a person's life.
Anxiety in children is a condition that manifests itself in a tendency to worry and excessive emotions in different situations. In relation to children, it is very important to distinguish the state of anxiety from ordinary manifestations of anxiety: if the first is a stable emotional manifestation and has no real basis, then anxiety manifests itself episodically in accordance with some situation (for example, anxiety before performing on stage or anxiety for assessing received for the test).
Anxiety in newborns
A newborn child can inherit anxiety from parents. This condition in newborns can be triggered by other reasons, including birth trauma, previous infections and diseases that affect the nervous system. Anxiety in newborns can manifest itself as restless behavior, crying too often, sleep and appetite disturbances. At the same time, already at this stage, it is necessary to correctly determine the cause of such behavior, since with the development of the nervous system, the state of anxiety can also evolve into more complex disorders.
Anxiety in a child
In preschool age, children with anxiety usually have other psychological problems, such as low self-esteem and difficulty in forming social contacts with other peers. However, adults who do not go into the reasons for the child's behavior even like such children - after all, they are modest, shy, strive to meet the expectations of an adult as much as possible, and are distinguished by good behavior. In fact, this condition brings discomfort to the child and can cause neurotic manifestations. To relieve psychological discomfort, children can bite their nails, pull out their hair, and perform other obsessive movements and rituals.
There are external and internal causes of a high level of anxiety in a child. Internal - this is everything that relates to the state of the child himself: the features of his nervous system, including those inherited from his parents, previous injuries, infections and diseases that affected the nervous system. External factors include the family atmosphere, ways of raising a child; here, “extreme” measures often lead to the formation of anxiety - either rejection of the child, or, on the contrary, overprotection and deprivation of his freedom and independence.
A separate type of child anxiety is school anxiety, which may arise due to the admission to school of a child who is not ready for this, as well as due to too high workload at school, negative attitude from teachers, peers or parents, as well as the need to receive positive ratings. The situation in which the child's actions are being evaluated is stressful for most children, so they can cause increased anxiety.
Anxiety in a teenager
Adolescence is a crisis period, during which there is a significant psychological restructuring, and the formation of adolescent anxiety can be one of the consequences of such a crisis. At this time, for adolescents, peers become the most significant characters, and it is about what assessment they will give that the child most often worries. Anxiety appears about the compliance of one's appearance and behavior with certain criteria, and this condition can become the cause of further psychological difficulties.
Another feature of anxious adolescents is that it is difficult for them to give a concrete assessment of their own family. It is noted that with an increased level of anxiety, it is often difficult to assess the attitude of parents towards them and determine this very attitude depending on the situation. At the same time, anxiety makes them fixate more on negative manifestations, while such adolescents practically do not experience a sense of security.
Psychological anxiety and its certain level is a natural characteristic of a person, while the optimal level of anxiety for each person is different. However, deviations from this level can cause significant psychological discomfort and further problems in a person.
High anxiety
Psychologists note that a person's anxiety develops sequentially, from one state to another. F.B. Berezin identified 6 successive stages in the development of an anxiety state:
- Anxiety of lesser intensity. It is characterized by tension without signs of threat and is rather a preparatory stage.
- Hyperesthetic reactions, for example, irritability, are added to internal tension. What used to be of little importance becomes important, and at the same time has a negative connotation.
- Unclear anxiety; a person feels that he is in danger, but cannot say exactly where it will come from.
- Fear. This is nothing more than a concretized anxiety; at the same time, a person may be afraid that in reality does not bring him problems.
- Anxiety gradually turns into a feeling that the danger is so global that it cannot be avoided. This sensation may not have a specific object of concern.
- Excitement that arises against the background of anxiety and requires discharge, or outside help. These experiences lead to the fact that the activity of a person experiencing such states begins to become disorganized - like his behavior.
The presence of a high level of psychological anxiety interferes with a normal response to many situations and limits a person's behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to work with increased anxiety.
Why there is increased anxiety
There can be many reasons for increased anxiety. Sometimes anxiety is a symptom of a mental illness. However, this condition can also be present in a mentally healthy person.
Everyone is born with a certain level of anxiety, which is sufficient for adaptation in this world - if we consider this state as one of the normal manifestations of the instinct for self-preservation. However, immediately after birth, a person enters a certain social environment, under the influence of which the innate level of anxiety can change. At the same time, in some cases, the level of anxiety increases due to a certain microclimate in the family and the peculiarities of raising a child.
Not only upbringing, but also strong stressful situations can cause a sharp increase in the level of anxiety. For example, people who have experienced a severe catastrophe and survived after it often begin to panic fear of the occurrence of such circumstances; if it was a traffic accident, they categorically refuse to get behind the wheel, if a problem arose with water transport, a person will by all means avoid circumstances in which it will be necessary to repeat the same path. The same goes for all sorts of diseases. Successful physical healing from a serious illness may well make a person one who is too critical of their own health.
The main fears begin to form in childhood, and the number of these formed fears will depend on how anxious the parents are about the child. However, external factors are not the only source of fears, because every child gradually learns to experience the feeling of fear and anxiety on his own (remember at least children's "horror stories" that children begin to tell each other quite early).
With age, a person's attitude towards fear and anxiety begins to change; if for men to admit that they experience fear means (according to gender stereotypes) admitting their own weakness, then women more often recognize the feeling of anxiety and, moreover, take advantage of it. However, the presence of too many irrational fears, which is often a consequence of an increased level of anxiety, significantly complicates the life of both sexes, limiting their activities and activities to a fairly strict framework.
Personal anxiety as a basic character trait
Personal anxiety is a character trait that is a component of a person's personality, while another type of anxiety - situational anxiety - is an episodic response to specific situations. At the same time, other general behavioral features are characteristic of people with increased personal anxiety: they are uncommunicative, withdrawn, not inclined to active actions.
Due to an excessive amount of fears and fears that are not always justified, personal anxiety affects many aspects of a person's life: his self-esteem, social and professional contacts, family relationships, and the ability to self-motivate. The principles of the formation of personal anxiety are similar to other psychological neoplasms. At the very beginning, a state of anxiety appears, then, subject to its constant appearance, it is fixed in the structure of a person's personality. If at the first stages a person's anxiety arises due to some external factors, then after it passes into the category of personality traits, its very presence produces a state of anxiety even without the presence of objective reasons.
The state of anxiety can manifest itself not only as a special state of mind, which is, as it were, under pressure from an unknown threatening cause, but is also reflected in physical symptoms. Very often, patients complain of difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, dizziness - and sometimes these symptoms can be confused with some other diseases. But if you misjudge these symptoms and start treating a person, for example, for asthma, the symptoms associated with anxiety will be as intense as they were before treatment.
The most common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Inability to relax
- Sleep disturbances (most commonly insomnia)
- Feeling of loss of control over oneself, one's own emotions and over the situation in general
- Constant feeling of excitement even in a calm environment
- Panic attacks
- Increased arousal of the autonomic nervous system (not as common as other symptoms)
Constant stay in this state negatively affects the nervous system, exhausting it and gradually aggravating the condition. Often, progressive anxiety can lead to the formation of persistent phobias, as well as conditions requiring the intervention of specialists and the use of certain means to correct the psychoemotional sphere.
Low level of anxiety
Although in most cases of deviations from the optimal level of anxiety we are talking about exceeding it, there are situations when the level of anxiety, on the contrary, is too low. This is manifested in the fact that a person feels comfortable and relaxed even in a situation that can harm him.
People with a low level of anxiety are often perceived by others as overly calm, in some ways even lazy. Indeed, in some cases, low anxiety can be lazy, just as high anxiety can make a person too active. However, the advantages of low anxiety are that the person is able to relax as much as possible and reach the point of mobilization at the right time.
A person with low anxiety can find himself in professions associated with an increased level of risk: stuntmen, pilots, astronauts. However, do not forget that the innate inability to underestimate the danger and disdain for difficult situations can be a disadvantage in some cases.
Since a high level of anxiety is often recognized as a pathological condition, psychologists recommend correcting this condition. Anxious people often find it more difficult to build a career, family life; such people run the risk of falling out of social life altogether.
What anxiety can develop into
The most often ignored feeling of anxiety leads to the formation of persistent phobias, but there are other negative consequences. For example, trying to suppress their own anxiety by taking alcohol or other substances that alter consciousness (hence the persistent expression "drink for courage"), a person has every chance of forming dependence on these substances - that is, becoming an alcoholic or getting drug addiction.
Anxiety can lead to problems in the work collective, as such people often do not accept help and do not tolerate criticism. If a person with an increased level of anxiety enters into a relationship with the opposite sex, he often becomes dependent on a partner and is ready to do anything to preserve even such relationships that bring him exclusively negative. In both career and family life, a person with a high level of anxiety sets false goals and spends all his energy solely on achieving them.
When anxiety becomes pathological
If the level of anxiety that does not exceed the norm is positive for a person, preparing him in advance for potentially dangerous situations, then pathological anxiety is unequivocally negative. The fact that the level of anxiety exceeds the norm can be judged not only by the corresponding questionnaires, but also by certain criteria:
- Perception of the surrounding world solely as a source of danger and threat, which leads to constant emotional discomfort and nervous tension.
- Constant fear can lead to the development of pre-neurotic states, and subsequently - neuroses of various types.
- Too high anxiety has a negative effect on any activity: educational, professional.
- Increased anxiety negatively affects certain behavioral and self-control skills; anxious people are irritable, prone to arguments with those who evaluate their performance, as well as to explain their own failures by some external factors.
Among other things, pathological anxiety often becomes a factor in aggressive behavior.
There are certain techniques for identifying the level of anxiety and its compliance with the norm. Experts can assume the presence of a certain level of anxiety in a person's behavior in an ordinary diagnostic conversation, however, quantitative diagnostics of anxiety is possible only if appropriate questionnaires are used.
Anxiety test
The most famous test for anxiety is the Spielberger-Hanin test, which consists of 40 statements. The subject is asked to choose the most appropriate answer for each statement out of 4 proposed options. After the test is passed, the subject receives a score ranging from 20 to 80 points. The results are interpreted as follows:
- a low level of personal anxiety in people who scored up to 30 points.
- 31-44 points are gained by people whose anxiety is within the normal range.
- an indicator of more than 45 points indicates a too high level of anxiety.
If the test shows a too high level of anxiety, such people are advised to switch from being too demanding on themselves in any kind of activity to understanding their tasks and learning to plan in detail. However, since too low anxiety is also a deviation from the norm, people who scored less than 30 points should also do some work on themselves: become more interested and responsible, awaken their own activity, somehow motivate themselves to perform certain tasks.
There are also more narrowly focused tests of anxiety, such as the test of anxiety for primary school age by R. Tammle, M. Dorky and V. Amen. This projective test offers the child 14 pictures that depict a situation familiar to every younger student. Each drawing contains a child whose face is not drawn; the subject is asked to choose a facial expression from several suggested for each picture. When passing the test, not only the child's choice is recorded, but also his comments to a particular picture.
For a quantitative assessment of the level of anxiety, the percentage ratio of the choices of sad persons to the total number of drawings is calculated. A qualitative assessment requires a separate analysis of each answer; special attention is paid to situations depicting the relationship between the child and the parents.
A common scale of anxiety is the Beck questionnaire, which consists of 21 statements and includes the most typical and common symptoms of anxiety. This questionnaire is used to identify the categories of people prone to increased anxiety in the present period, and send them for further examination.
The subject is asked to compare each statement with his own condition, most typical for this person during the last week. Assessment of a symptom can range from a complete absence of a symptom to such a strong manifestation that it interfered with a normal existence. Answers to questions take about 10 minutes, after which the specialist interprets the results and draws a conclusion about the level of anxiety.
Another scale used to measure the severity of anxiety disorders is the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. To assess the condition, the subject is asked to answer 14 questions, 13 of which describe the patient's condition in everyday life, and 14 is aimed at determining the level of anxiety directly during examination. This scale is a kind of "gold standard" for assessing anxiety disorders; it can be used both to obtain a general indicator of anxiety disorder, and to assess the level of manifestation of anxiety in the physical and mental spheres separately.
Conversation method
The conversation method, or interview, is often used to diagnose anxiety. By asking standard questions, the psychologist analyzes not only the content component of the answers, but also the patient's behavior in the situation of interaction. The patient describes his feelings about the experience of sadness, anxiety, and also gives an account of his health and well-being.
During the conversation, information can be obtained about which areas are most disturbing for the patient, as well as a preliminary conclusion about the severity of the disorder. However, for a more accurate assessment, the interview method should be used in conjunction with other techniques.
Other research methods
In addition to the questionnaires and the interview method, the following methods can be used:
- Observation.
Attention is paid to signs such as actions that show nervousness (tendency to bite nails, perform other obsessive movements), tension, confusion, sadness, fear, and other manifestations.
- Experimental component of emotions.
The study of this parameter can be carried out not only by the method of direct observation, but also by video filming or photographing for the subsequent analysis of the patient's facial expressions and conclusions about his emotional state.
- Study of the results of activities.
Since the fact that a high level of anxiety affects the quality of activity, this group of methods occupies an important place in the diagnosis of anxiety.
- Study of physiological factors.
According to a number of experts, the state of anxiety has not only psychological, but also physical manifestations, therefore, a change in the activity of the autonomic nervous system, which can be recorded by appropriate devices, also refers to methods for determining anxiety. In this group of methods, the most relevant is the measurement of galvanic skin response and the measurement of heart rate.
Since a high level of anxiety reduces the quality of human life and, with a further increase, can lead to negative consequences, pathological deviations of this indicator from the norm are subject to correction.
Psychological exercises to reduce anxiety
There are certain exercises that you can do on your own to help reduce anxiety.
- "Playing with anxiety."
This exercise will require you to focus on a particular anxiety factor and determine how often thoughts about this factor come up during the day. Next, you need to choose the time and place that are most atypical for such anxiety manifestations, and this is where you focus on the negative consequences of anxiety (which would be if the worst assumptions came true). Within a few minutes, it will be possible to notice that the state of anxiety is decreasing, giving way to a calmer and more stable mood.
- Revision of the state.
In order to complete this exercise, you will need to turn on your imagination and imagine the situation that causes anxiety in reverse chronological order, while seeing your participation in it as if from the outside. In order for the exercise to work out, you will need to form a clear positive attitude towards the “me” that you observe from the outside, to give him the support he needs in this situation. Analyze how this person's behavior might change when receiving resources that are donated as support; The exercise can be considered successful if you can “see” that the presented script completed successfully.
These are just a few examples of anxiety relief exercises. The specialist can suggest something more suitable for a specific patient.
People with an increased level of anxiety often come for a consultation with a psychologist. This is not surprising, because sooner or later any person realizes how much this state reduces the comfort of life, interferes with building a career and relationships. However, even at the first contact, the psychologist needs to differentiate a high level of anxiety and its consequences from other conditions, for which appropriate methods are used, and not rely on his own intuition.
If it is confirmed that the level of anxiety in a given patient is outside the normal range, it is most often recommended to undergo a course of psychotherapy and correction of the condition. Upon completion of such a course, anxiety decreases, and psychological comfort will become more noticeable. However, psychocorrection will give results only if the patient trusts the psychologist and is ready to work on overcoming his own anxiety.
Anxiety: how to get rid of yourself
With a certain manifestation of willpower, anxiety reduction can be carried out independently. Some people in this regard are helped by the so-called change of scenery; moving to another city, changing jobs - all this can stimulate a person's activity and displace anxiety with new impressions.
Mastering psychological techniques that you can apply yourself is another way to relieve anxiety. But for success here, a certain amount of a person's confidence is necessary that he can achieve success and it is not in vain that he does all these exercises. Self-control and teaching yourself not to panic will also help you get rid of heightened and unnecessary anxiety. Techniques that are universal for relieving anxiety include a variety of breathing exercises and meditations that help stabilize and balance the psychoemotional state.
To eliminate childhood anxiety, it is necessary to understand the causes of its occurrence, which in most cases lie either in a violation of the relationship between a child and an adult, or in the wrong approach to raising a child. Childhood anxiety can also be a projection of parental anxiety. If you realize what exactly led to the formation of such a state in the child, and eliminate this reason (to establish trusting relationships with the child, pay more attention to him, reduce the level of expectations from the baby, do not try to protect him from all imaginary and real threats), then the level of anxiety the child will begin to decline naturally.
You can help your baby get rid of anxiety by inviting him to have a pet. A sense of responsibility and joint care of the pet will help not only stabilize the child's condition, but also bring him closer to his parents.
Teach your child breathing exercises, because correct breathing greatly affects the psycho-emotional state.
- Improving the child's self-esteem.
In this regard, parents, first of all, should get rid of anxiety themselves, and from the habit of comparing the baby with other children, when the comparison is clearly not in his favor. Expectations that are too high, which do not correspond to the child's capabilities, also negatively affect his self-esteem and increase the level of anxiety.
- Mastering self-control skills.
Already in childhood, babies are able to control themselves even in exciting situations - especially if an adult teaches how to do it exactly.
- Relief of muscle tension.
Anxiety is often accompanied by excessive muscle tension, which is uncomfortable, so learning muscle relaxation is another step towards controlling childhood anxiety.
If, despite all measures, anxiety persists steadily, it is recommended to contact a child psychologist who will conduct appropriate work with the child.
Anxiety, its increased level is a condition characteristic of many people living in the modern world. One should not condescend to the manifestations of increased anxiety, since a prolonged stay in such a state has a destructive effect on the psyche and can significantly worsen a person's life at any age, from early childhood to old age.
Sometimes the feeling of anxiety ceases to be reasonable and literally takes us prisoner. And then we worry about everything: from the likelihood of a sudden cold child to the beginning of global warming ... the site is about how to get rid of bad thoughts and drive away the feeling of constant anxiety.
"Hello. I ask you for help. I am practically in constant anxiety for my nine-year-old daughter. I am very afraid that something will suddenly happen to her."
Feelings of anxiety arise spontaneously in especially happy moments. Or after reading the next terrible news on the Internet (killed, stabbed, set on fire, etc.). Violence and aggression are the main topics of the media.
Knowing that thoughts are material, I just go crazy: I can't not think ... "
Fear or other strong emotions make the person jump to conclusions. Thus, we generalize completely unrelated facts, draw conclusions from isolated cases, and for some reason try on everything that happened somewhere and with someone in our lives.
An anxious person is inclined to worry about the most insignificant reason and see catastrophes and horrors in everything. To reduce anxiety, such a person comes up with various rituals.
For example, he checks 10 times whether the front door is closed, controls his loved ones, calling them every half hour, does not allow children to walk with their peers, presenting the terrible consequences of such communication ...
An anxious person is sure that the world is very dangerous and full of threats. He sees obstacles in everything and expects problems.
I must say that the media is very conducive to this perception, daily stuffing us with stories of the horrors taking place in the world.
So it turns out that anxious people live, constantly worrying about the future and trying to protect themselves and their loved ones from possible troubles. They spend a lot of energy, time and emotions on this.
Unfortunately, in most cases, these efforts lead to nervous disorders, depression (after all, a person thinks about bad things all the time) and irritation of loved ones. (after all, they are constantly monitored).
It turns out that life is hard for an anxious person from all sides. But despite this, he continues to worry, because he cannot do otherwise.
It depicts everything that happens around and has a meaning for us, everything that we take for granted or feel: this is our perception, what we call experience or the sum of ideas about reality.
The picture of the world is created from childhood and it describes in detail what is possible in this life for us and what is not.
The child's picture is created on the basis of the picture of the people around him - parents, friends, teachers, etc. And with this card he goes through life.
With the passage of time and the emergence of new experience, this map expands, but the whole paradox is that all subsequent events are perceived by a person from the point of view of previous experience, beyond which it is very difficult to go.
The world consists of thoughts and is in the head. Any picture of the world "comes to life" with frequent attention to it.
Scrolling horror films about yourself or your loved ones in your head is absolutely futile - the energy of fear can only aggravate the situation. What we think about, we most often meet in life.
By changing your thoughts, you begin to behave differently and achieve different results.
The fact that you have the power to create your experiences, and not just react to external circumstances or memories of the past, means that you have a wide choice, the ability to control your life and create your own future.
Therefore, a good way to get rid of anxiety is shift the focus of your attention to a positive side.
First, whenever possible eliminate bad news from your life.
Do not watch or read crime stories, reports of disasters and wars, because you yourself form a reason for fears, plunging into negativity.
Turn off the TV, skip articles on this topic. There is no benefit from this information, but your impressionability begins to paint terrible pictures.
Create a positive information field for yourself, concentrate on the positive side of life.
Crossing out negativity from your life
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4 ways to beat anxiety
The appearance of fear is largely ensured by a person's imagination, the ability to associate. When you are worried, your imagination paints pictures of a terrible future.
Pictures can be huge and stand in front of your eyes all the time. But what if an unpleasant picture is replaced by a pleasant one?
Imagine a situation that brings up fond memories in you. By vividly imagining this joyful experience, define how you feel.
Pay attention to your feelings again. Have they changed? Maybe they got stronger?
Now let your imagination drift away, get smaller, more schematic, weak, until it shrinks to almost the size of a postage stamp.
What are your feelings now? Once this is determined, return the image to its original position.
This is what happens to most people: when a positive experience approaches, positive feelings intensify, and when it recedes, they significantly weaken.
If you want to experience positive emotions more intensely, simply bring them closer to the eyes of the imagination.
But if you want the experiences to be less intense, you can move them away from you.
You can do the same with the state of anxiety, pushing unpleasant pictures far, far away or turning them into a barely noticeable point.
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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. A specialist consultation is required!
Anxiety Disorders and Panic: Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Therapy
Under anxiety disorders mean conditions accompanied by excessive excitability of the nervous system, as well as a strong unreasonable feeling of anxiety and signs observed in the presence of certain pathologies of internal organs. This kind of disorder can arise against the background of chronic overwork, stressful condition, or a severe illness. Such states are often also called panic attacks.The obvious signs of this condition include both dizziness and an unreasonable feeling of anxiety, as well as pain in the abdomen and chest, fear of death or an imminent catastrophe, shortness of breath, a feeling of "lump in the throat."
Both the diagnosis and the treatment of this condition are dealt with by a neuropathologist.
Therapy for anxiety disorders includes the use of sedatives, psychotherapy, and numerous stress management and relaxation techniques.
Anxiety Disorders - What Are They?
Anxiety disorders refer to a number of pathologies of the central nervous system, which are characterized by a constant feeling of anxiety, arising from incomprehensible or insignificant reasons. With the development of this condition, the patient may also complain of signs of some other ailments of the internal organs. So, for example, he may have difficulty breathing, pain in the abdomen or chest, cough, feeling of a lump in the throat, and so on.
What are the causes of anxiety disorders?
Unfortunately, until now, scientists have not been able to establish the true cause of the development of anxiety disorders, but its search continues to this day. Some scientists argue that this disease is a consequence of a malfunction of certain parts of the brain. Specialists psychologists have come to the conclusion that this kind of disorder makes itself felt due to psychological trauma, against the background of excessive fatigue or severe stress. It is psychologists who are sure that this state can also occur if a person has a very erroneous idea of certain things, which causes him a constant feeling of anxiety.
If we take into account the fact that the modern population is simply forced to lead an active lifestyle, it turns out that this condition can develop in each of us. Among the factors that can provoke the development of this kind of disorders, one can also include psychological trauma resulting from a severe illness.
How can we distinguish between "normal" anxiety, which enables us to survive in a dangerous situation, from pathological anxiety, which is a consequence of anxiety disorder?
1.
First of all, it is worth noting that senseless anxiety has nothing to do with a specific dangerous situation. It is always invented, since the patient simply imagines in his mind a situation that does not really exist. The feeling of anxiety in this case exhausts the patient, both physically and emotionally. The person begins to feel a sense of helplessness, as well as excessive fatigue.
2. "Normal" anxiety is always associated with a real situation. She does not tend to disrupt human performance. As soon as the threat disappears, the person's anxiety immediately disappears.
Anxiety Disorders - What Are The Signs And Symptoms?
In addition to a constant feeling of anxiety, which is considered to be the main symptom of this type of disorder, a person may also have:
- Fear of situations that in fact do not exist, but the person himself believes that this can happen to him
- Frequent mood swings, irritability, tearfulness
- Fussiness, fearfulness
- Wet palms, hot flashes, sweating
- Excessive fatigue
- Impatience
- Feeling of lack of oxygen, inability to take a deep breath, or a sudden need to take a deep breath
- Insomnia, sleep disturbances, nightmares
- Memory impairment, impaired concentration, decreased mental capacity
- Feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing
- Feelings of constant tension that prevent you from relaxing
- Dizziness, darkening of the eyes, rapid heartbeat
- Pain in the back, lower back and neck, a feeling of muscle tension
- Pain in the chest, around the navel, in the epigastric region, nausea, diarrhea
It is important to note the fact that all the symptoms that were presented to the attention of readers a little higher, very often resemble signs of other pathologies. As a result, patients seek help from a huge number of specialists, but not a neurologist.
Quite often, such patients also have phobias - fear of certain objects or situations. The most common are considered to be such phobias as:
1. Nosophobia- fear of a certain ailment or fear of getting sick in general ( for example, cancerophobia - fear of getting cancer).
2. Agoraphobia- fear of finding yourself in a crowd of people or in an excessively large open space, fear of the inability to get out of this space or crowd.
3. Social phobia- fear of eating in public places, fear of being in the company of strangers, fear of speaking in front of the public, and so on.
4. Claustrophobia- fear of being in confined spaces. In this case, a person may be afraid to stay both in a locked room and in transport, in an elevator, and so on.
5. Fear in front of insects, heights, snakes and the like.
It should be noted that normal fear differs from pathological fear, first of all, by its paralyzing effect. It arises for no reason, while completely changing human behavior.
Another sign of anxiety disorder is considered to be obsessive-compulsive syndrome, representing constantly emerging ideas and thoughts that provoke a person to some of the same actions. So, for example, people who constantly think about germs are forced to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water almost every five minutes.
Mental disorder is one of the anxiety disorders that is accompanied by sudden, recurring panic attacks that occur for no reason. During such an attack, a person has a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fear of death.
Features of anxiety disorders in children
The feeling of panic and anxiety in a child in most cases is explained by his phobias. As a rule, all children who have this condition try not to communicate with their peers. For communication, they choose grandmothers or parents, since among them they feel themselves out of danger. Quite often, such children have low self-esteem: the child considers himself to be worse than all others, and is also afraid that his parents will stop loving him.
Diagnosis of anxiety disorders and panic attacks
A little higher, we have already said that in the presence of anxiety disorders, the patient has numerous symptoms similar to signs of diseases of the nervous system, digestive tract, goiter, asthma, and so on. As a rule, the diagnosis of this pathology can be established only after all pathologies accompanied by the same symptoms have been excluded. Both diagnosis and therapy of this disease are within the competence of a neuropathologist.
Anxiety therapy
Therapy of this kind of conditions involves psychotherapy, as well as the use of medications, which tend to reduce feelings of anxiety. These medicines are anxiolytics.
As for psychotherapy, this method of treatment is based on numerous methods that enable the patient to take a real look at everything that is happening, and also help his body to relax at the time of an anxiety attack. Psychotherapeutic techniques include both breathing exercises and breathing in a bag, auto-training, as well as developing a calm attitude to obsessive thoughts in the case of obsessive-compulsive syndrome.
This method of therapy can be used both individually and for treating a small number of people at the same time. Patients are taught how to behave in certain life situations. Such training makes it possible to gain self-confidence, and, therefore, to overcome all threatening situations.
Therapy of this pathology through medications involves the use of medications that help restore normal metabolism in the brain. As a rule, in such cases, patients are prescribed anxiolytics, that is, sedatives. There are several groups of such medicines, namely:
- Antipsychotics (Tiaprid, Sonapax and others) are very often prescribed to patients in order to relieve them of excessive feelings of anxiety. Against the background of the use of these medications, such side effects as obesity, lowering blood pressure, lack of sexual desire can make themselves known.
- Benzodiazepine drugs (Clonazepam, Diazepam, Alprazolam ) make it possible to forget about the feeling of anxiety in a fairly short period of time. With all this, they can also cause the development of some side effects such as movement coordination disorder, decreased attention, addiction, drowsiness. The course of therapy with these medicines should not exceed four weeks.
The feeling of anxiety and anxiety is periodically experienced by 60% of the world's population. People call anxiety a feeling of discomfort at the level of physiology. This feeling manifests itself suddenly, takes by surprise, and echoes in thoughts and mood. Anxiety is not easy to manage, but it can be reduced.
Anxiety: what is it?
Anxiety is a psychological state of a person that causes a feeling of discomfort in the chest and other unpleasant reactions of the body. Negative health at the physiological level is manifested in the form of abdominal cramps, excessive sweating, and heart palpitations. The feeling of anxiety sometimes reaches such a level that it becomes similar to manifestations.
Anxiety is often equated with stress. However, these sensations represent a different essence. caused solely by external causes. Anxiety is a feeling of sudden inner discomfort. Stress is the result of the environment a person finds himself in (interview, party in an unfamiliar company, exam, etc.). Anxiety occurs for no apparent reason.
The cause of anxiety mainly lies in family situations that traumatize the psycho-emotional background of a person, causing anxiety. A prerequisite for anxiety can be, and not always justified. Often, the feeling of discomfort is transmitted from others, their negative reasoning, worldview and intolerance.
Anxiety becomes the starting point for appearance. Anxiety causes fears, phobias and other conditions that interfere with living fully. The correct attitude to the feeling of anxiety will make it a springboard for overcoming experiences and achieving positive heights. 
How does anxiety manifest itself?
Increased anxiety is a common reason for contacting a psychotherapist, but after understanding the essence of the feeling that causes discomfort, you can reduce it yourself.
There are no visible external circumstances for the manifestation of anxiety. There are situations when anxiety and fear are even useful, but if anxiety is manifested everywhere, this is a reason to think and take measures to reduce its influence.
Most often, anxiety manifests itself before a significant event or when making a serious decision. It is called situational anxiety. This feeling is completely normal and does not require taking action to get rid of. Situational anxiety helps to make the right choice, assess the situation from different angles and understand which action will be most beneficial as a result. Such anxiety disappears without a trace after the event that caused it is exhausted.
Anxiety is more difficult when the occurrence of anxiety events is not obvious. A person is worried, for example, about a possible dismissal, betrayal or a serious illness, although the possibility that the situation will turn out this way is minimal. Such anxiety is not justified and there are no prerequisites for it. When people around them try to calm a person down and convince that there is no reason for anxiety, fear and anxiety, the model of communication “yes, but…” is triggered. A person winds himself up even more and the feeling of anxiety only intensifies. In the best case, there should come a realization of excessive anxiety. Then a logical question arises: how to reduce anxiety and?
In the generally accepted sense, an increased level of anxiety is manifested in the constant expectation of negative events. The pessimistic mood of a person and. In a state of anxiety, a person is confused. Every event in everyday life causes stress and rejection. It is impossible to communicate with a person who suffers from increased anxiety. He does not see anything positive in the world around him. You need to get rid of increased anxiety. How can you reduce increased anxiety?
Ways to reduce anxiety
When anxiety becomes a regular experience and does not disappear after the stressful event, it must be dealt with. Three basic techniques for reducing anxiety can help you overcome this feeling. 
Lifestyle change
You should start by changing your usual diet. Certain foods on the menu increase anxiety and anxiety. Reconsider the use of products such as:
Coffee. It is difficult to imagine awakening without this energetic, which is widespread throughout the world. However, caffeine stimulates anxiety. You can substitute caffeine-free tea or lemon water.
Starch and sugar. Desserts and baked goods high in starch and sugar are often viewed as foods used for relief and irritability. On the other hand, sudden surges in sugar in the body have an adverse effect on the body and mood. Replace desserts with fruits.
Alcoholic drinks. After a day of work full of stress and difficulties, many people relax with a glass of strong drinks. Alcohol does reduce irritability and provide the desired relaxation, but this sensation is temporary. You need to drink in moderation, alternating a glass of alcoholic beverage with clean water.
Products containing nutrients and vitamins will help stabilize your mood:
Blueberries and palm berries contain antioxidants needed to reduce stress and anxiety. Berries will improve your mood and hormones.
Fish, bran bread, dark chocolate, and other magnesium-rich foods can help fight anxiety. The recommended dose of magnesium is essential to maintain a positive mood.
Kefir and Korean cabbage are foods that contain neurotransmitters. They act as a sedative and improve sleep.
Sport is not only a way to maintain slimness and improve your figure, but also a wonderful helper in the fight against psychological disorders. Exercises to reduce anxiety and anxiety:
Cardio exercises (running, jumping rope, etc.);
Bicycle riding;
Weightlifting and other areas that affect the growth of muscle mass;
.
If regular exercise is not for you, walk in the parks more often. This is also a physical activity that will keep you in high spirits.
In addition to sports, breathing exercises will help to cope with anxiety. Breathing slowly and deeply reduces anxiety and anxiety instantly. To relieve anxiety, you must inhale slowly, holding air in your lungs, no more than eight times a minute.
Anxiety and anxiety increase if a person does not have an occupation that will distract from life's troubles. Set aside at least 15-20 minutes for something that calms you down. It can be anything: reading, embroidery, cutting and sewing, dancing. Take courses in the lesson of interest. When doing a hobby, do not think about an event that brings back negative thoughts and anxiety. Dissolve completely in what you love. This outlet will not only deal with your current anxiety, but it will also prevent anxiety from taking over your life in the long run.
Learn to relax at home. Take hot baths, listen to relaxing music. Make your home a real escape from stress and anxiety.
Give yourself a break and don't overwork. Constantly working from home, endless meeting with friends and indulging in all requests can improve certain areas of your life, but certainly also anxiety. and rest.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is the best medicine for anxiety as well. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time. helps the body get rid of excess hormone that causes nervousness and anxiety. 
Mental ways to deal with anxiety
Anxiety is caused by certain situations that a person can take under control. Understand the sources of anxiety and anxiety and determine which of the list can be controlled. Keep a journal in which you write down all the reasons for negative mood. By writing down thoughts, you may discover a source of anxiety that you didn’t know about before. Even if the reason is beyond your control, how you react to it is completely in your power. There is a way out of any unpleasant situation. Sometimes, in order to find it, it is enough to assess the situation from the other side.
Avoid situations that cause anxiety, anxiety, or fear. Determine the boundaries of behavior and do not violate them. Suppose anxiety is triggered by the need to fly an airplane. Why bring yourself to neurosis, if it is better to use another mode of transport? The same goes for unpleasant people around you, unloved work, etc.
Meditate. Relaxation exercises can help reduce anxiety. You can start classes with an instructor, or you can use the Internet - there are many video lessons on meditation and relaxation on the Internet.
If you cannot cope on your own, seek help from relatives, friends, spouse or acquaintances. Sometimes expressing concern is enough to reduce anxiety and get rid of negativity.
Reducing anxiety with medicine
Traditional medicine will reduce the manifestation of symptoms of anxiety. Relieve anxiety:
Chamomile flowers;
Ginseng;
Polynesian pepper;
Valerian root.
The above plants can be taken in the form of a tincture, added to tea, or used in pharmacological options, for example, granular ginseng or tablets based on valerian root.
If the feeling of anxiety only intensifies over time and no advice helps, this is a reason to think and seek help from a psychotherapist. The doctor will advise and prescribe a course of treatment that will reduce anxiety for a long time. The doctor selects medication individually. Do not delay a visit to the doctor if anxiety does not leave you for a long time. If this feeling is not eliminated, panic attacks may occur and even.
March 1, 2014, 17:56
