Till now, the causes of the borderline personality disorder are yet to be known and are under research. However, it is thought that factors such as genetic, social and family relationship factors contribute to the making of this disorder. Some common risk factors include growing up in a broken family, poor communication within family, childhood abandonment and sexual or physical abuse. BPD patients go through tough times because of the tormenting symptoms they have to experience. Common symptoms include depression, intense bouts of anger, as well as anxiety that may last a few hours to a day.

One common behaviour in BPD patients is a symptom called splitting, also known as ‘black and white thinking’. This symptom means that their attitude towards others will shift from idealization (love and admiration) to devaluation (intense resentment and displeasure). They may adore and be close to one of their loved ones , and suddenly turn against them or feel resentful especially if triggered by any events or minor conflicts. This symptom usually results in unstable social and family relationships.

BPD also causes high mental and emotional sensitivity. Thus, BPD patients react strongly with anger and anguish towards rejection, separations, sudden change in plans and minor conflicts. They fear abandonment and despise as well. They may also develop ‘clinging’, a condition when the patients cannot bear a certain individual being away from themselves. Increased self-awareness and identity crisis may also lead to fear of crowd or frantic efforts to avoid being alone. This sensitivity and phobia makes suicide threats and attempts common among BPD patients.

The serious complications of BPD should not be neglected. Among BPD patients, completed suicide happens with 8 – 10% of the individuals. It is also normal for BPD patients to display impulsive and abusive behaviour such as spending excessively, alcoholism, binge eating, self-mutilation, excessive sex drive as well as unsafe sex. This disorder also causes serious implications to a patient’s life, as it may lead to negative issues such as loss of jobs, interrupted education, unwanted pregnancies as well as broken marriages.

For the treatment of this personality disorder, psychological treatment is prioritised, which is similar to any other anxiety disorder. A common treatment method is group or individual psychotherapy. However, in recent years a new promising psychosocial treatment method known as the dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) was developed specifically for the treatment of BPD. DBT is a combination of cognitive therapy with behavioural therapy with the blending of Western psychology with Eastern Zen practice. In DBT, the therapists show acceptance, recognition, warmth and appropriate response to the patients’ abusive behaviour.

Pharmacological treatments are also used to assist in the treatment of BPD. Medication can be prescribed to target specific symptoms of the patient. To soothe depression or labile mood, antidepressant drugs and mood stabilizers may be prescribed. When symptoms like mind distortions appear, anti-psychotic drugs may be also be given.

Patients with BPD often require extensive mental health care and treatment, contributing to 20% of psychiatric-related hospitalization. Only with strong support and professional help will the patients improve and regain normal and productive lives. However, the outlook depends on the gravity of the patient’s condition and his or her willingness to undergo treatment. The chances for a better recovery depend highly on the patient’s cooperation. Treatment may take a long time, thus patience and determination is also crucial.

===================================================================

Click Here To Learn how to get rid of borderline personality disorder.

  ]]> http://www.anxietyattack.org/borderline-personality-disorder/feed/ 0 http://www.anxietyattack.org/treating-anxiety-with-prozac/ http://www.anxietyattack.org/treating-anxiety-with-prozac/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 05:12:03 +0000 admin http://www.anxietyattack.org/?p=633

	Watch Real People Discussing Ways To Deal With Anxiety Click here now!

Anxiety disorders may affect you physically, cognitively, and emotionally. If severe enough, it may also lead to panic attacks, which are very alarming experiences. There are a wide variety of drugs used as treatments for anxiety. The more common and frequently prescribed drug is the fluoxetine hydrochloride, known commonly as Prozac.

Prozac, an oral medicine, is classified under serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used as antidepressant medications. SSRIs have been proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety disorders. Prozac has a stronger effect on energy levels compared to other SSRIs, making it greatly effective in treating cases where symptoms of depression and lack of energy are dominant. Despite its stimulating properties, it also works well on panic disorders.

Prozac works by halting the destruction of neurochemical serotonin, which controls moods, appetite, arousal, sleeping patterns and pain level of the patient and thus, causing an increase in serotonin levels, and relieves any anxiety symptoms that the patient experiences. An initial dosage of 10-60 milligrams of Prozac is usually prescribed, once a day over a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the prescription period, the dosage will then be reduced so that the levels of serotonin in the brain can be evened out.

There are many rumours about the risks of Prozac as a dangerous drug, but rest assured, if you have been prescribed Prozac by your doctor or psychiatrist, it should be extremely safe and effective for you. Though it may cause certain side effects or complications, these only apply to patients with other health complications, and your doctor or psychiatrist will make sure that it is safe for you before prescribing it. However, it is vital that you understand that you should never self-medicate with Prozac. Not all medications are the same for all patients. Remember to consult your doctor if you’re unsure about your medication regime.

Safe as it is, everyone reacts differently to different drugs. First, the effects of Prozac on foetal development are not yet to be known. Thus, psychiatrists and doctors will not attempt to prescribe Prozac to pregnant mothers. The Prozac treatment is also risky for patients with multiple health complications such as heart attacks, diabetic, seizures, liver disease, low blood sodium, bipolar disorder and bleeding disorders such as prolonged bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor about your medical history as accurate as you can as to ensure that the right regime is prescribed to you.

You should also understand about the side effects that are associated with Prozac. Some common side effects include nausea, strange dreams, fever, skin rashes, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhoea and sexual dysfunction such as decrease in sex drive and delayed male ejaculation. However, these symptoms are not much to worry about as these are probably transient side effects, meaning that they are only temporary and will go away as soon as your body accustoms to the serotonin changes. The rest are the reaction to your anxiety levels due to Prozac, and are not as harmful as they seem. If high doses are taken, Prozac may cause an opposite effect, causing restlessness, nervousness or anxiety. Be sure to let your doctor know about these side effects so that he or she can advise you better on this.

Another boon concerning Prozac is that is does not have many withdrawal symptoms, as it has a longer half-life. Hence, the good news is that it will be easier for you to discontinue with the dosage or usage of Prozac the moment your anxiety disorder is cured.

Again, do remember that everybody responds differently to different kinds of drug so it is important to heed your doctor’s advice and never attempt to self-prescribe Prozac. If you take this treatment accordingly, be well assured that Prozac is safe and may be an effective treatment for you.

===================================================================

The fear of an anxiety attack by itself can trigger an attack. This is true as reported by many anxiety disorder patients and after resolving the “meta” fear, most reported an immediate cessation of anxiety attacks.

Click Here To Learn how to get rid of the fear of anxiety attacks.

  ]]> http://www.anxietyattack.org/treating-anxiety-with-prozac/feed/ 0 http://www.anxietyattack.org/recognizing-and-overcoming-social-anxiety-disorder/ http://www.anxietyattack.org/recognizing-and-overcoming-social-anxiety-disorder/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:24:16 +0000 admin http://www.anxietyattack.org/recognizing-and-overcoming-social-anxiety-disorder/

	Listen On How To Overcome Social Anxiety Disorder Here

It is very common for anyone to feel shy in a new environment, or nervous in front of a crowd of total strangers. It is also very normal for people to feel afraid of embarrassing themselves while giving a speech on stage. It is also equally usual for a person to feel butterflies in the stomach during an interview. However, it is necessary to understand that while these situations seem to happen very naturally, for some, things can actually lead to a psychological state called social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder, also termed as social phobia, is the result of extreme and unwarranted fear in social situations. People undergoing this psychological condition will be overly frightened of being observed and judged by others. They feel anxious and excessively worried about a social situation weeks or months before it happens. They have limited social skills, and suffer from altered thinking, wrong beliefs about a social situation, and very negative perceptions of what people might be thinking of them. This affects their behavior at work, school or in social activities. This is the most common type of anxiety disorder in the United States. It is consoling to know that the triggers can be recognized, and social anxiety disorder can be overcome.

The situations or events that provoke this condition are rather obvious. People who suffer from social phobia will find it very stressful to face new people, speak in public, attend an interview or sit for an examination. They are even fearful to use a public toilet. It is noticeable that these people do not have enough courage to speak up in meetings, and are very nervous to go on a date. They also tend to avoid talking on the telephone, writing or speaking in front of others for fear of scrutiny.

Knowing the triggers alone is not enough. There are symptoms which will help to recognize this anxiety disorder when it happens. Psychological symptoms are easier to identify if the person that you are analyzing is yourself. When it is someone else, harder work is required to look for the cues. Among the signs is constant fear of embarrassment. Social phobic people also tend to be anxious for weeks and months before an event. Things get so bad that they limit their lives to avoid social situations to the extent that it disrupts a healthy and normal daily routine.

Apart from psychological symptoms, physical signs are more easily identifiable. Among the common ones are upset stomach and nausea. A social phobic person also experiences confusion, sweating and trembling hands. If you observe his or her mouth, you will find that it is very dry. Usually, you can also feel a pounding heart, exhibited by rapid breathing. His or her face is very likely to blush, accompanied by speech with a shaky voice.

When the triggers and symptoms are identified, it is easier to deal with social anxiety disorder. It is essential to treat it at an early stage because if left unattended to, it could lead to a panic attack. One of the easiest ways to overcome this condition is by making a few adjustments to daily life. First and foremost is to get enough sleep. People with social phobia will find themselves calmer and less anxious with adequate sleep. Another tip is to control caffeine intake by avoiding coffee, tea or chocolate as caffeine is well known to stimulate anxiety. It is also highly advisable to quit smoking and stop drinking because nicotine and alcohol could trigger anxiety attacks.

Social anxiety disorder can also be treated through cognitive behavior therapy. This helps a person think more rationally to face the situations that they used to fear. This is testified to be the best method to treat this disorder as it helps to change the way people think and feel, to alter their behavior. The therapy includes learning how to substitute negative and anxious thoughts with positive ones, facing anxiety causing situations in a systematic way and practicing breathing techniques.

People can also resort to medication if they feel it is necessary to treat this disorder. Several antidepressants are commonly used for treatment, such as Paxil and Zoloft. Beta-blockers relate to the heart and are helpful to control physical symptoms like trembling hands and rapid heartbeat. Tranquilizers such as Ativan and Valium are used for calming effects as a last resort, as they are addictive.

People who have social anxiety disorder can reclaim their life and need not feel that all hope is gone when they identify with the signs. This is a common disorder which can be treated with a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle, besides the use of medications. Of course, learning how to improve social skills definitely helps a great deal.

Click here to listen on how to Overcome Social Anxiety Disorder.

  More and more people now opt for herbal or natural remedies for anxiety disorders as our society become very health conscious. Well, here’s some great news for those who would like to treat anxiety without medication. These are some of the most common but effective remedies which are used to treat anxiety all around the world.  

St John’s Wort, (Hypericum Perforatum), a plant with yellow flowers, is a widely known herb for anxiety, usually used to treat mild depression in children and adolescents. The flowers are usually used to prepare teas, tablets or capsules and liquid extracts. Clinical trials have proven that this herb is beneficial for patients who suffer from severe depression and anxiety because this plant contains properties that are similar to those in standard antidepressants. It is usually well tolerated, but may contain adverse side effects including abdominal ache, sleeping trouble vivid dreams and headaches. It may also cause multiple drug interactions which is why it is good to take it only for a short period of time.

Valerian, (Valeriana officinalis) is a herbal remedy for anxiety, stress and insomnia. It was historically used as a folk remedy in migraine treatment, as a sedative, anti-convulsant and pain reliever. The effects of consumption will show after a few weeks, but it isn’t advisable to be taken for more than 3 months and shouldn’t be taken together with other medication. This herb may give relief to these anxiety symptoms but will cause abdominal ache due to mild indigestion, allergic reactions, palpitations or headaches when taken in excess. But be warned, most people cannot stand its pungent smell and they prefer taking it in capsule form.

Kava, (Piper methysticum) can be used to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders effectively and has been used for over thousands of years. It has been proven in medical studies that this Kava root has a positive effect on anxiety sufferers. This root has been known to promote relaxation without affecting one’s mental acuity.

Passion flower, (Passiflora incarnate) is possibly one of the best known natural remedy to anxiety attacks and is successfully used to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It has been proven in clinical trials which were mostly carried out in the EU countries. This herb has been officially approved by the German health community for being an effective remedy to anxiety and insomnia but may cause mild side effects like palpitations and nausea.

Vitamin B1
Natural remedies which are used to treat anxiety are not only limited to herbs. Vitamin B-1 is known for its calming properties. It helps to relief consumers of fatigue, anxiety, irritability. It is advisable for consumers to take this vitamin as a complex supplement since some doctors also recommend vitamins B6 and B12 to anxiety patients.

Natural anxiety treatments aren’t limited to herbs and supplements though. Your diet is important as well and here are a few things that you should do:

Reduce the intake of caffeine. Clinical studies have proven that excessive intakes of caffeine lead to sleeping troubles, twitching, trembling, racing heart, nausea and restlessness – all symptoms that can be associated with anxiety.

Reduce the intake of alcohol. Alcohol depresses the nervous system and alcohol and illegal substances abuse have been linked to anxiety disorders. Social drinkers should consume a glass of wine on occasion and avoid white spirits and hard liquor.

Eat balanced, healthy diet. This will improve your general health, and will help you better manage your anxiety.

Breath, exercise & meditate.
Other other natural treatments like exercise, meditation and yoga are also recommended by many medical practitioners. This is because breathing is an effective way to treat anxiety as shown in a recent study conducted by the researchers of Southern Methodist University. In this study, the patients were required to undergo breathing therapy known as Capnometry-Assisted Respiratory Training CART as a way to relieve anxiety and it significantly improved their anxiety symptoms.

Take a break or two often.
It is advisable to take frequent breaks as we all know, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  If you have a “9 to 5” job in the office behind the computer, take a walk round the office, refill your coffee, relax your eyes or even do some breathing exercises. You’ll find that you’ll feel much better and more relieved after the break.

========================================================

  The fear of an anxiety attack by itself can trigger an attack. This is true as reported by many anxiety disorder patients and after resolving the “meta” fear, most reported an immediate cessation of anxiety attacks.

Click Here To Learn how to get rid of anxiety attacks.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental conditions that affect children and adolescents and some studies suggest that almost one in five kids might have a diagnosable disorder. Anxiety treatments for children can include the intake of medications and therapies, and sometimes different treatments are even combined for greater effect. And even though the anxiety disorders are so widely spread, they are often mistaken for normal conduct, which in turn leads to late diagnosis and treatment. These anxiety disorders can affect the child’s ability to lead normal life, perform well in school, and have a fulfilling adulthood as well.

Common symptoms of anxiety disorders might be physical signs like headaches, muscle tension, abdominal aches, etc. as well as your child being obsessed with worries about normal, everyday activities such as attending school, participating in a sport game, or irrational fears (phobias); frequent and severe panic attacks are also an indication of panic disorder.

The proper diagnosis is usually given after careful evaluation and talking to the child, the parents, and even the teachers. Once your child have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, then you should take some measures to help him or her cope with it – your options include taking your child to a therapist (after you have consulted your child’s doctor), taking a few steps yourself to reduce your child’s stress levels and anxieties, and finally medication. Most children respond well to therapies, with the most popular being cognitive-behavior therapy and medication is only prescribed for kids and adolescents with mild to severe anxiety disorders.

The most often asked question is what anxiety treatments for children and medications can be used to treat their disorders.

The most psychiatric medications used today seem to be the Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) – they are prescribed to adults and children alike and are used to treat various conditions such as depression, insomnia, personality disorder, and anxiety disorders. These drugs are usually prescribed to kids that have not responded well to therapies and have severe signs of anxiety disorders. Studies have shown in most cases SSRIs are really effective for treating childhood panic disorders and depression, but you should be aware that there are some side effects as well: these can show us abdominal pain, nausea, headache and in very rare cases the SSRIs can lead to suicidal thoughts. In all cases though it is advisable to monitor the changes in the behavior and the mood of the child, and some medical practitioners advise on regular EKG and blood tests too.

The SSRIs are usually taken for a year and in the first few weeks to a month the signs of improvement should be visible. The largest trial so far used fluvoxamine and almost 80% of the children that participated in the trial showed signs of improvement as opposed to 25% of the kids that were given placebo. The side effects were mild, the most common being stomach ache, and have been experienced by more than half of the children that took the drug; the test also showed increased levels of activities among these kids and adolescents, something that is usually not seen in adults taking SSRIs.

Benzodiazepines are also used in rare cases, but they are mostly used for very short-term effect and to suppress child’s irrational fear like fear of flying for example.

Make sure that you pay attention to your child’s needs and worries – if he or she is obsessed with them, then this might be a sign of anxiety. You first step in the right direction should be showing the kid practical ways of coping with his or her worries and fears, but if the symptoms persist, then you should consult a specialist. If medications are prescribed, some benchmarks should be established by the medical practitioner, and periodical evaluation should be made as well, in order to establish that they are actually helping your child battle the anxiety.

========================================================

The fear of an anxiety attack by itself can trigger an attack. This is true as reported by many anxiety disorder patients and after resolving the "meta" fear, most reported an immediate cessation of anxiety attacks.

Learn how to get rid of the fear of anxiety attacks, and and your child will be able to cope much better.

	Stop Panic Attacks and End General Anxiety in Minutes! Click here now!

If you are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and feel depressed all the time, then you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking anxiety medicine. There are many ways to treat and manage anxiety and the most popular ones are the use of anxiety medicine and the various therapies such as the Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), the Exposure therapy, and the Psychoanalytic therapy. If you get a recommendation by a health professional, you should take part in such therapies since most of them are beneficial for the anxiety disorder sufferers. The main goal of such therapies is to replace your negative thoughts with realistic thoughts, lessen your worries and thus reduce your stress levels.

However, in some cases the effects can be relatively short-term and you might consider other options in order to manage your worries and fears. One such option is the anxiety medicine treatment. You should never take these medications on your own – always consult with a medical professional and once you both agreed on the use of medicaments, follow his instructions to the letter.

What kind of anxiety medications is available and how can they help you if you are a sufferer?

The medications can be divided into four major groups:

Tricyclic anti-depressants are mostly prescribed to people that suffer from panic disorder. You might be suffering from anxiety (panic) disorder if you experience frequent and intense panic attacks. These have symptoms, similar to a heart attack, and can be quite frightening. Once you have consulted with your physician and have been diagnosed with panic disorder, then you might talk to him about the possibility of managing your condition with tricyclic anti-depressants. Different types of this group of drugs are also used for treating depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, but even though they are some of the most often prescribed in some cases their side effects might outweigh their benefits.

Benzodiazepines (called “benzo” for short) is actually the most prescribed drugs to anxiety sufferers and are also given to people that suffer from seizures, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and other conditions. They in turn can be divided into short, medium and longer-acting and the latter are used for treating anxiety disorders. The effect of the drug is that they lower the GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) levels and thus inhibit and thus reduces excitability.

Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) is a class of medications, used for treating personality disorders, depressions, insomnia, as well as anxiety disorders since the 1980s. The different anxiety disorders that they are used to manage are the panic disorders, OCD, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others. They work by increasing the serotonin levels, which in turn heightens the sending of nerve impulses.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are mainly prescribed to patients that suffer from severe depression, mood disorders, and various other disorders like anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), OCD, and others. They work by increasing the norepinephrine and serotonin levels, which are two of the main neurotransmitters that influence the mood. The SNRIs are more widely used than the SSRIs, even though they have been introduced after them, and are believed to have stronger antidepressant effect.

When treating your anxiety you should always talk to a medical professional, you might want to try a few therapies first and learn a few ways to manage your anxiety levels on your own. However, if you determine that none of these measures is effective, then you should ask your doctor about the available medication and take them the prescribed way. As with almost all other medications, you must be aware that there are side effects that might harm your health – take that into consideration too.

=====================================================================

The fear of an anxiety attack by itself can trigger an attack. This is true as reported by many anxiety disorder patients and after resolving the “meta” fear, most reported an immediate cessation of anxiety attacks.

Learn how to get rid of the "meta" fear, and you will be able to naturally prevent anxiety attacks.