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When Anxiety Spins Out of Control
Everyone worries occasionally.
What's normal worrying,
and what's not? According
to Katherine Schneebaum, M.D., a
board certified family practitioner
at Riverview Medical Center, it's not
normal to worry for six months or
more, or for worry to disturb your
work or home life. "These could be
signs that you are suffering from generalized
anxiety disorder," says Dr.
Schneebaum. "More women than men
have this treatable illness, which seems
to run in families."
Other symptoms of generalized
anxiety disorder include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Difficulty swallowing Breathlessness
- Pounding heartbeat
- Nausea
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- Muscle tension
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Hot flashes
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In addition, generalized anxiety disorder
may accompany other medical
conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome,
depression, or substance abuse.
Put a Lid on Anxiety
According to Dr. Schneebaum, the first
step to getting better is to talk with your
doctor if you suspect you have generalized
anxiety disorder. Prescription
antidepressants or antianxiety drugs can help ease your excessive worrying
and relieve other symptoms. You and
your doctor should discuss which type
of medication and how much will best
treat your condition.
Another option is to talk with a
counselor. Two types of therapy can
teach you how to rein in your worries
when anxiety-provoking situations
arise. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
aims to change both how you think and
how you act, while behavioral therapy
focuses solely on changing unwanted
behaviors. "Sometimes the best option
is to combine one of these talk therapies
with medication," says Dr. Schneebaum.
Options for Self-Care
Self-help measures often can help you
feel better while you are being treated:
- Encourage members of your family to help you with your treatment goals.
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques.
- Avoid substances that could make you more anxious. These may include caffeine and even certain over-the-counter cold medications.
- Join a generalized anxiety disorder support group.
- Engage in regular aerobic exercise.
- Enjoy a joke. Keeping a sense of humor may reduce tension.
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