Personal Financial Tips

Article by Kathy

15 million Americans and countless others around the globe are affected by anxiety. Without treatment, anxiety can escalate into general anxiety disorder (GAD) and my eventually cause regular panic attacks. So what causes general anxiety disorder and how can you treat it before it escalates?

What is General Anxiety Disorder?Everyone has occasional bouts of anxiety, or anxious thought patterns. In contrast, GAD is a state of periodic and elevated anxiety, often characterized by excessive thinking and dwelling on the “what ifs”. As a result, you may feel that there’s no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry. You probably have general anxiety disorder if you have recurring anxiety, as opposed to occasional worry.

What happens when you have GAD?To illustrate how anxiety can escalate into GAD, I’ll use the analogy of a water faucet. If the faucet is working properly when turned off, we experience a relaxed home environment – which equates to a relatively anxiety-free existence. However, if the faucet has a leak and is dripping periodically, you could equate this disruptive dripping noise to that of someone with general anxiety.

Over time the pipe remains intact, however the leak gets worse. What was a minor disturbance can escalate into a loud, steady stream, which can no longer be ignored. This situation is how general anxiety disorder feels – it demands your attention. Worse yet, this unstable situation is a breeding ground for the pipe to burst – or in our analogy, for a panic attack to occur.

What causes GAD?General anxiety disorder is caused by recurring anxiety. The major causes of anxiety are:

Repressed emotionsA chemical imbalanceNutritional imbalancePhysical, mental or emotional exhaustion caused by stress

Steps you can take to eliminate General Anxiety DisorderOnce you know the causes of anxiety, you can work to reduce or eliminate anxiety entirely. Here are four steps that you can take to help eliminate GAD:

Educate yourself. There are many excellent holistic books and classes that help reduce or eliminate anxiety by teaching the principles of the mind-body-emotion connection, as well as anti-stress techniques.See a qualified medical professional to get a diagnosis in the event that you have a nutritional or chemical imbalance. You may want to do one or all of the following: a.) a blood screening, b.) a checkup with your physician, and c.) discuss your situation with a psychiatrist (Ph.D.) who understands medications. Your doctor can help you select the appropriate course of action if required.Meet with a therapist or support group, which can assist you by teaching healthy ways to deal with conflict, rather than repressing emotions. Therapy can also help with issues around physical, mental or emotional exhaustion, which are often at the root of anxiety. A therapist can give you strategies that create more life balance, time, and personal boundaries that support optimal health.Exercise as a Stress Reducer: Exercise produces the good hormones, such as endorphins, that keeping your mind and body balanced. Some people benefit from Yoga, a practice that incorporates relaxation techniques into exercise and movement. Whatever you choose, find something that you enjoy so that you stick with it. Many people (myself included) enjoy a daily walk as a great way to unwind and spend time outdoors.

The good news is that both general anxiety disorder and panic attacks respond well to treatment. It takes commitment to educate yourself, identify options and take action, but it is well worth the time and patience when you are rewarded with a better quality of life and a greater sense of peace. We recommend the Panic Away program as a good holistic option for treating panic attacks. You can read my Panic Away Review by Clicking Here.

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