Monday, December 8, 2008

Can You Cure Anxiety ?

By Adrian Fletcher

Having chronic anxiety is not only very difficult to live with but it often hard to talk about. Mental health problems are not always taken seriously and people with anxiety often feel afraid that others will blame or ridicule them. So they struggle to find their own anxiety cures rather then letting others know what is going on. Due to their embarrassment, and the social judgments that prevail in some areas, seeking professional help is often rejected or done as a last resort.

You might very well think (or probably have been told) that one of the only anxiety cures your doctor will know about is medication. The idea that your doctor will "make" you take medication is a common misconception.

Letting your doctor know that you are experiencing anxiety can itself be helpful. Your doctor may be able to tell you if any of your current medications contribute to your anxiety, and can suggest lifestyle changes that may help. It might well be the case that anxiety cures are not needed, in such case. A doctor can provide an objective view on lifestyle changes that can calm or stop anxiety attacks.

When discussing your anxiety with your physician, be sure to bring up your feelings about the various treatment options. Unless otherwise told, your doctor will generally offer you the two most common treatment options, which are medication and/or therapy, so it is important for you to state your opinions about the alternatives for traditional anxiety cures.

Unless there are other overriding reasons, don't feel your options are limited to using medication or going to therapy just because your doctor writes you a prescription for medication or a referral for a therapist. You should feel free to discuss alternate anxiety cures with your doctor, and ask about different kinds of treatments. Any anxiety treatment should be focused on helping to cure your anxiety.

When you talk to your doctor about anxiety problems, be sure to be straightforward about the kinds of treatments you are comfortable with and about those you aren't. If you aren't interested in taking prescription drugs or going to therapy, communicate this wish to your doctor. At the very least you can state your desire to try some other options for controlling your anxiety first. Inform the doctor that you would prefer to try alternative anxiety cures like taking a yoga class or making a change to your diet and exercise program.

It's a good idea to discuss with your doctor your choices regarding both medical and non-therapy anxiety cures. It is also likely that your doctor may be open to alternative treatments, including breathing and calming methods, and other alternative remedies for anxiety. You may find that your doctor even gives you the names of people that have more experience in these forms of treatment so that you don't have to search around for yourself. - 16004

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