Introduction Types Treatment Homoeopathic treatment	Causes Self Help Conventional treatment

Anxiety is defined as intense apprehension that may or may not have an obvious cause. Anxiety is a part of life and it is a normal reaction to stress. It is not abnormal to feel anxious before an exam/interview, etc. The reaction is momentary and passes off once the event is over. But when the feeling persist and does not go away and worsens over a period of time making it difficult to cope with normal, everyday life, then it is considered as a disorder.

Characteristically the person feels a complex combination of emotions like worry, fear, apprehension, etc. associated with physical symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, excessive perspiration, tightness in chest, headaches, etc.
More than 35 million adults aged 18 and above in the US alone are affected by it annually.

Effective and new treatments are available to treat such patients and it is important to manage the conditions as soon as possible so that the person can live a healthy and productive life.

• Studies have shown that genetic predisposition and family history play an important role; they make a person more susceptible to them.
• Experiences in childhood like poor bonding between parents or abrupt separation of a child from a parent have shown to play a part in certain anxiety disorders.
• An anxiety disorder may also develop following a stressful event in life, such as death of a close relative.
• A person suffering from low self-esteem is more likely to suffer from agoraphobia and social phobias.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
2. Panic Disorder
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
4. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
5. Phobias

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Here the person worries excessively about routine day to day problems even tough there may be nothing or very little to provoke it, and for no apparent reason they cannot get control of this apprehension.
They worry and anticipate disaster about anything and everything; thus getting through the day can be an ordeal for such individuals.
GAD is diagnosed when a person continuously keeps worrying for at least 6 months about daily activities.

2. Panic Disorder
Panic attacks usually come on suddenly and peak about in 10 minutes. The person gets palpitation, intense anxiety, fear, perspiration, giddiness, weakness, faintness, etc. The attacks are beyond ones control and the person is not able to predict when the next attack will come and this makes him more worried; anticipating the next attack, there is a fear of impending doom.
Panic disorder is often accompanied by other ailments like depression, substances abuse, etc. Repeated panic attacks can make a person incapacitated and fearful of places or situation where they have occurred, however early treatment helps to overcome this condition easily.

3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
In persons suffering from OCD they have persistent, distressing thoughts and to overcome this state of anxiety they take help of rituals which they repeat time and again.
Healthy people too have rituals E.g. It is normal to check locks while going to sleep at night or before leaving for vacation to prevent burglary. In people suffering from OCD the anxiety becomes an obsession and the rituals become compulsive. Here the person will lock and relock the house many times before going to sleep. The rituals may become so frequent that they interfere with the normal day to day activities.

4. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This condition develops after an ordeal involving physical harm or threatening harm to oneself, loved ones or may have been witness to such an event involving loved ones. The symptoms start to develop after about 3 months of the event or one may experience these symptoms years after the event.
The person suffering from PSTD may loose interest and become indifferent or emotionally numb towards people, they may startle easily. There have been instances where the person has become irritable and even violent. The person tends to avoid situation, places, etc which remind him of the original events.
People having PSTD tend to relive the traumatic events in their thoughts and dreams, this is known as Flashbacks. They can be triggered by events, sounds, smell, people, etc. similar to those associated with the actual event. During the Flashback the person goes in a Trans and may believe that the traumatic incident is happening all over again.

5. Phobias
Specific phobias
It is an unnatural and intense fear of something particular that has no actual or little danger to the person. Some of the commonly found phobias are flying in an aeroplane, water, dogs, blood and injury, heights, etc.

Complex phobias
Here there is presence of a number of component fears as seen in agoraphobia and social phobia.
In agoraphobia, there is anxiety while riding on public transportation, using elevators or visiting crowded stores. In social phobia, people have an overwhelming fear of embarrassing themselves in public.

• Control your worry try not to dwell on what might happen rather focus on what is really happening.
• Learn Yoga, Deep breathing exercises, etc which help to relax and overcome acute episodes of anxiety disorders.
• Exercising regularly gives a feeling of well being and helps to reduce sense of anxiety.
• Sleep adequately.
• Avoid alcohol, it may give you a sensation of relaxation, but on the long run is habit forming and does more harm than good.
• Avoid food and beverages containing caffeine (tea, coffee, chocolates, etc), they work as a nerve stimulant and may increase your sense of anxiety.
• Confront things which make you anxious. First think of yourself in such situations and confront them mentally and once you get used to the idea go ahead and confront the in real life. Most often they are harmless or less harmful then what you perceive them to be.
• Consult a doctor and take medicines prescribed by them and avoid over the counter medicines and self medications.
• Express your feeling and fears and consult and talk with your doctor and well wishers. Their cooperation and support will help you overcome your condition.

Each person must seek medical advice as soon as possible before his condition takes control of his life. Most often anxiety disorders are treated by oral medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

Medication
Drugs like anti- anxiety drugs (e.g. Alprzolam, Clonazepam,), anti-depressants (e.g. Fluoxetine, Sertraline), beta-blockers to control cardiac symptoms are used to give relief. Medication alone cannot cure anxiety disorders but help to keep them in control while the patient is undergoing psychotherapy. A combination of both gives better relief.

Psychotherapy
This form of treatment involves talking with psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or other such trained mental health professional. This will help the person to discover what may have caused his anxiety disorder and how to deal with its symptoms. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is very effective in treating such patients.

Homeopathy considers anxiety disorders as a constitutional disorder and treats it accordingly. The role of genetics and family traits are considered before prescribing the medicines. It studies the persons as a whole and evaluates these symptoms before prescribing an individualistic Homeopathic medicine.

The medicines have a positive influence on the psyche and thinking process of a patient and this helps him to cope better with day to day stresses of life and live a better and healthier life.

Homeopathy ably aided by other supportive therapies and self help can give lasting relief to the patients. The medicines give relief in all stages of anxiety disorder acute as well as chronic conditions. The relief offered is lasting and helps to prevent and control severity and recurrence of anxiety disorders.
The benefits of medicines are manifold they are effective, safe, and non habit forming, unlike conventional drugs.