Anxiety
Anxiety questions and answers
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Q: Whats the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack?
I suffer bad anxiety and always have panic attacks...well at least i thought they were panic attacks. Someone mentioned anxiety attack to me today so i thought it was the same thing, but someone told me otherwise?
A: Anxiety attacks and Panic attacks are the same thing. There's no difference. However, scientifically speaking, it is impossible for your body to maintain a state of panic for more than 30 minutes. That is because the parasympathetic nervous system will kick in and stop the flow of adrenaline through your body. Your sympathetic nervous system is what creates that "fight or flight" response in your body. Regardless of how horrible and vulnerable it makes you feel, and believe me, i've had panic attacks before, ones which are just terrible, they will end. Keep that foremost in your mind, and tell yourself, "I will live through this".
You will pull through. Im still dealing with my own, and its a long, uphill journey, but every day is a victory. Keep your chin up!
Q: How well does zoloft work for anxiety disorders linking to depression?
How well does zoloft work for anxiety disorders or is there anything else better that u would recommend that would not put me to sleep. Ive feared social things, going back to school, getting a job and getting infront of people all my life Just wondering wondering if there is something that would help me have a productive life that would help my anxiety? I want even go into a store by myself I panic. Ive always been more to myself because of it no very social.
A: It works pretty damn good for me. I really don't feel sleepy at all just better.
It's more like your relaxed now that you don't have anxiety. It was a change for me because I couldn't think of a time where I was not panicky except when I was a little kid.
I started taking zoloft for anxiety/depression going on 2 months now.
I started at 25mg and am now at 100 mg, and I think I'm staying at 100.
It is truly amazing for anxiety. Anxiety has made me miserable, but not anymore.
I haven't had a panic attack in about a month now, and let me tell you it is great. I can go out in public now without a problem, Heart palpitations from anxiety are gone, and it also helps with my obsessive compulsiveness.
Good luck, you won't regret it!
Q: How do you control your anxiety without anxiety meds when it gets the best of you?
I am pregnant so no anti anxiety meds for me! I should have been on them a long time ago. Sometime my anxiety overwhelms me and I can't stop thinking about people who get to me and who slight me and do me wrong especially family. I can't let things go and obsess over them constantly. How do I calm my anxiety without meds?
A: slow deep breaths with my eyes closed. i try to think positive during it and it seems to help. also chewing gum. it take my mind off of things.
Q: Where do I start when my anger/anxiety issues are affecting my health and relationship?
I have always had anger/anxiety issues, but recently, I have come to a point where I can no longer deal with them on my own. A friend suggested starting with a general practitioner, as I am having health issues stemming from my anger/anxiety, such as headaches, weight gain, and stomach trouble. Is this the best place to start? I've made an appointment for this coming Monday. What should I tell this doctor?
A: When to seek medical advice
Feeling shy at parties or nervous about giving a speech doesn’t necessarily mean you have social anxiety disorder. If your fears or anxieties don’t really bother you, you may not need treatment. For instance, you may not like making speeches but you do so anyway without being overwhelmed by anxiety.
What sets social anxiety disorder apart from everyday nervousness is that its symptoms are much more severe and last much longer. Social anxiety disorder disrupts your life, causes you distress and affects your daily activities.
Common, everyday experiences that may be difficult to endure when you have social anxiety disorder include:
Using a public restroom or telephone
Returning items to a store
Interacting with strangers
Writing in front of others
Making eye contact
Entering a room in which people are already seated
Ordering food in a restaurant
Being introduced to strangers
Initiating conversations
Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you’re facing a lot of stress or demands. Or if you completely avoid situations that would usually make you anxious, you may not have symptoms. Although avoidance may allow you to feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to persist over the long term if you don’t get treatment.
Tests and diagnosis
When you decide to seek treatment for symptoms of possible social anxiety disorder, you may have both a physical and psychological evaluation. The physical exam can determine if there may be any physical causes triggering your symptoms.
There’s no laboratory test to diagnose social anxiety disorder, however. Your doctor or mental health provider will ask you to describe your signs and symptoms, how often they occur and in what situations. He or she may review a list of situations to see if they make you anxious or have you fill out psychological questionnaires or self-assessments to help pinpoint a diagnosis.
To be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, someone must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
Criteria for social anxiety disorder to be diagnosed include:
A persistent fear of social situations in which you believe you may be scrutinized or act in a way that’s embarrassing or humiliating
These social situations cause you a great deal of anxiety
You recognize your anxiety level is excessive or out of proportion for the situation
You avoid anxiety-producing social situations
Your anxiety or distress interfere with your daily living
Q: How do you deal with stress and anxiety?
I'm one of those people that have a really hard time dealing with stress and anxiety. How do you deal with stress and anxiety?
A: Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.
Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....
Extracted from Source.
Q: Can a lot of anxiety and stress cause a heart attack in a person with a healthy heart?
I have been to 2 cardiologists and a whole bunch of other doctors to check if I have a heart problem. They've done multiple tests and all conclude that I have a healthy heart. At times I feel a sense of my heart skipping a beat and off and on pain, I do suffer from some health anxiety and it stresses me out. I have a heart obsession I'm always afraid of something happening with my heart. I'm 21 yrs old and overweight but I have been eating healthy. I eat fish, lots of veggies and drink organic juices. So I just want to know if thinking bad things all the time can cause bad things to happen?
A: I am the same exact way. I have been experiencing panic/anxiety attacks for a little more than a year. It is one of the scariest feelings in the world when you think something is wrong with your heart. I experience heart palpitations very often. I am constantly wondering if I am going to die, but the doctor keeps reassuring me that my heart is healthy, and I am absolutely fine.
To answer your question, yes, a great deal of stress, can cause a heart attack, but I don't think you have anything to worry about at age 21. Obeisity, is also a factor in heart disease, but again, if your doctor has assured you that your heart is healthy, then my advice is to take his word. When you feel that your heart is skipping a beat, remember your conversations with your doctor. If you need immediate reassurance, visit the ER, most likely, they will give you something to calm you, and then send you home. I've been there and done that MANY times.
A pshycotheropist would probably give you the stregnth to over come your anxiety attacks on your own. I am just beginning to self cope myself. Sometimes, I wonder if I suffer from hypocondriocis.
Also, be sure to ask your health professional about any prescription drugs that can help you overcome your fears. I hate being prescribed meds, but I was taking .05 mg of xanax 3x per day, and you'd be suprised at how much it helped me. It was a little expensive though, so my doctor suggested klonopin. 1mg, 2 tx per day. It works great as well. I suggest you discuss your options with your doctor, and see if that helps.
Panic attacks are by far the most scary things I have ever experienced, and sometimes, they are hard to get through. However, It sounds to me like you are experiencing the same problem. Just keep eating healthy and I think you will be just fine. I hope you can find something to help you cope with this disorder. No one should have to live their life in fear.
If you ever need reassurance you can email me. jessicamay0120@yahoo.com. I have found that talking with others with the same problem is one thing that always made me feel more comfortable. Try not to think about it, that only makes things worse. Remember, many people have this disorder, and you will be ok, and hopefully someday be able to overcome these attacks all together! Good luck with everything and take care!
Q: How do you deal with anxiety and panic attacks during pregnancy?
What is the best way to deal with anxiety and panic attacks,especially during pregnancy?
A: Quit whining and take your Midol Scott!
Q: How to handle stress and anxiety from work?
I have terrible headaches, stomach problems, and anxiety from my boss. If I quit can I collect?
A: Sorry but you can't collect money just because you "say" your boss is giving you a headache and stressing you out. There has to be more plausible reasoning under the law, such as if he were sexually harassing you or physically harassing you (as in striking, punching, kicking you etc.) in which case you would have a valid reason to file a complaint to press criminal charges and from there an attorney would advise you of your legal right in how to pursue a civil litigation in personal injury --for instance-- and then possibly collecting a monetary judgment. Those are just a few examples in how to collect money by quitting your job. But if everyone could sue everyone else for stressing them out...either we'd all be very rich or we'd all be very poor :)
Although these days you really can sue someone for just about anything, I believe that legaly if your reasoning is only in the form of the question you asked, you can't get win a law suit just because your level of stress in the work place may be less tolerant than that of someonelse's level of tolerance (based on your reason alone). But when seeking legal advice the best source is an attorney so call some civil rights,personal injury or employment law attorneys ans ask for a phone consultation or if they offer free consultation on the first visit.
But hey if you are that miserable you should update your resume and seek other employment.
Good luck and take care of YOU!
Q: How exactly does anti depression/anxiety medication work?
I have some depression/anxiety. I just want to know how they help.
I do workout but i still feel depressed at times.
A: Check this blog for a list of anxiety medications and their uses. I hope this will answer your questions:
http://www.pharmacyreviewer.com/forum/blogs/ladypam/30-benzodiazepines-treating-anxiety.html
Q: How to ease the separation anxiety of a mother dog from her puppies?
I have a chihuahua who had 3 puppies a few months back. Now that they are weened, I'll be giving them to various family members. I'm worried that she'll experience a lot of anxiety over this. Are there any ways to ease this? Will she get over having her puppies taken away from her?
A: Yep, after having many litters myself I can tell you that the best thing that you can do is to leave a few small stuffed toys around her.
She will more than likely start carrying them around and nesting them as she would her pups.
This will only go on for a short while and she will get over it.
Good Luck and God Bless
Q: How do I deal with anxiety, guilt and sadness returning to work after baby?
I am returning to work in 2 weeks and am feeling extreme anxiety and guilt about leaving my 6-month baby. I haven't been apart from him for more than 6 hours since he's been born. Financially our family needs two incomes, and I am obligated to return to work, but am emotionally not ready. Whenever I think of it, I start crying. How can I deal with this?
A: Just remember that what is good for the mother is good for the child. All involved in the family process have their own needs. Even at an early age children start to understand that they fit in to a larger picture. So getting back to work or your regular routine is really good for a baby. It provides a rythm to their world. Plus after you have picked the proper type day care for you and your child you can feel confident that the socializing they are picking up inherently is very valuable as well.
But if these feeling persist or intensify see your doctor or a therapist as post partum depression is real and terrifying.
Good luck with work! Enjoy.