There are four main nutrients which the body needs for neurological well being to work against anxiety, and these three are some of the most neglected nutrients among dieters:

1. B-Vitamins

There are thus many who are unknowingly falling into the trap of not consuming enough Vitamin B, which is related to neurological workings especially in our brain region. Vitamin B12 especially has been linked to ageing and brain volume loss. The study of relationship between Vitamin B12 and Folate (B9) with neurological disorders were highlighted and brought to attention since 1988 during “The Role of Folate and Vitamin B-12 in Neurotransmitter Metabolism and Degenerative Neurological Changes Associated With Aging“, bearing the conclusion that more studies need to be conducted to determine further the extent of Vitamin B especially in the elderly. In a year 2008 study by the American Academy of Neurology entitled “Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly“, brain volume decrease runs parallel with those with lower Vitamin B12.

Popular food source: Banana, potato, chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, spinach, bell peppers, eggs, dairy products and basically all whole, unprocessed foods.

2. Magnesium

Besides Vitamin B, a deficiency in magnesium may also cause anxiety, depression and restlessness. This mineral helps muscle relaxation, neuromuscular transmission, widening of blood vessel and maintenance of heart muscle. Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, dairies and grains such as rice. Fad dieters especially those practicing the so-called low-carb diet may not be consuming enough of these because they abstain from grain foods as much as possible. In fact, this lack of carbohydrate may also become a source of distress for a dieter because studies have shown that one needs a balance of carbohydrate and protein with other food groups to maximize fat burning and regulate metabolism.

Popular food source: green and leafy vegetables, halibut, some legumes, nuts (such as almond), whole grains, dairy products.

3. Calcium

Another source of happiness is calcium. Calcium maintains nerve transmission, hormone secretion, electrolyte balance, muscle contractions and many other functions that are commonly known such as bone and teeth formation. A deficiency may easily cause depression, agitation and heart palpitations, and irritability is also often seen among those who do not maintain the recommended daily intake of calcium.

Popular food source: Dairy products, sardine, pink salmon, kale, spinach

4. Amino Acids: tryptophan, penylalanine, leucine

The “happy hormone” serotonin level is affected by the ratio of tryptophan to phenylalanine and leucine, all three amino acids among a family of 20. Some fruits such as banana and papaya have a high ratio which helps increase the production of serotonin, while eating certain foods in excess may inhibit the production of this hormone. These foods include whole wheat and rye bread. Serotonin behaves very much as a neurotransmitter in the nerve system. It controls the release of hormones related to the reproduction cycle, affects appetite, sleep and general metabolism. However, it must be noted that too much of serotonin production is also not a good thing.

Popular food source: banana, papaya, peanuts, eggs, dairy products

* Popular food source are not ultimate food source of these nutrients, and they are also listed in random order.

Natural anxiety treatments are good alternatives to medication and therapies, or can be used in conjunction with them, and in most cases have soothing and relaxing effect. Before you try any of the herbs, or start taking any vitamins in order to keep your stress levels down, you should consult your doctor.

Amongst the most widely used natural anxiety treatments are the following herbs.

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) leaves and flowers are used as a natural anxiety treatment for severe depression and chronicle anxiety. Clinical trials have proven that the herb is beneficial for patients who suffer from these disorders and about as effective as other widely-used antidepressants. It is suggested that the St John’s wort is only taken for a short period and never in conjunction with anti-anxiety medication. Possible side effects include abdominal ache, sleeping trouble, vivid dreams, headache, etc.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Its effects show after a few weeks, but it is advised not to be taken for more than three months or together with other medication. When taken in normal doses the Valerian is safe, when taken in excess might cause abdominal ache, allergic reactions, or headaches.

Kava (Piper methysticum) is effective for treating anxiety and sleeping disorders, and has been used as a folk remedy for thousands of years. Medical studies have proved the positive (although small) effect that the kava root has on the anxiety sufferers. In 2002 the FDA has issued a warning to consumer since in rare cases it has been linked to adverse liver reactions.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) is probably the best known of all natural anxiety treatments and is successfully used for treating patients who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The effects have been proven by various clinical trials, mostly carried out in EU countries, and the herb has been officially approved by a German health Commission as being effective against anxiety and insomnia. The herb is considered to be safe, in some cases mild side effects can are experienced such as palpitations, vomiting and nausea.

Vitamin B-1 has calming effect and helps reduce fatigue, anxiety and irritability. It is advisable that Vitamin B-1 be taken as a complex supplement since some doctors recommend Vitamin B-6 and B-12 to anxiety sufferers.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Eat balanced, healthy diet. This will improve your general health, and will help you better manage your anxiety.

Other natural anxiety treatments recommended by many medical practitioners are exercise,meditation, yoga, and hypnosis and they all help reducing the stress level. Exercise is extremely important and very helpful for people that suffer from insomnia as well – long and fast walk will help you sleep better at night.

Take frequent brakes – do not work for hours straight without taking a break. If you work in a office or behind a computer all day long, take a short 10 minute break for every 45 minutes work. Get out of your chair, stretch, walk around and do some breathing exercises.

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Psychologists have confirmed that most anxiety attacks stem from fear. When a fearful thought creeps into the person’s mind, this will trigger an attack. Even the fear of an anxiety attack by itself, is a trigger and it is proven that this “meta” fear can be undone. Once this “meta” fear is resolved, the trigger is no longer there and anxiety attacks will cease to happen.

To learn how to get rid of this “meta” fear, click here and review how others have succesfully done it. ]]> http://www.anxietyattack.org/natural-anxiety-treatments/feed/ 0 http://www.anxietyattack.org/anxiety-treatments-for-children-medication/ http://www.anxietyattack.org/anxiety-treatments-for-children-medication/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:55:02 +0000 admin http://www.anxietyattack.org/?p=95

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.

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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 your child will be able to cope much better.

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.

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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.