For millions of people, anxiety is a frustrating and harmful daily reality. Anxiety is more than just an occasional anxious feeling— it’s a mental health issue that can be diagnosed by experts. Fortunately, it’s also something that can be managed and treated, if not cured, by the right experts, strategies, and treatments. If you’re struggling with anxiety, here’s what you need to know.
Anxiety in America: a hidden epidemic
People with anxiety are not alone. Worldwide, one person in 13 suffers from anxiety. Anxiety may not be the most obvious of ailments, in part because so many of us have learned to internalize our problems and avoid admitting to others that we may need help. But studies prove that anxiety is everywhere, whether the people who have it admit it or not.
In fact, anxiety is on the rise in America, recent studies show. Americans report feeling more anxious these days, and experts believe that we’re in the midst of an anxiety “epidemic.” The problem is very real, very common, and only getting worse. If you’re one of the many people who are affected by anxiety every day, here’s what you need to know about managing your problem.
Seek help
Anxiety is something that nobody should have to deal with alone. There are plenty of highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists who are more than ready to help you with your anxiety issues.
Psychologists and therapists can help you develop strategies for coping with your anxiety, and psychiatrists can prescribe medication to help you deal with the primary and secondary effects of anxiety on your mental health.
Too many of us deny ourselves the treatment and help that we need due to outdated fears and assumptions. Take a positive step and reach out to a professional for help with your mental health.
Developmental health strategies
Working with professional therapists and medical experts, you can and should develop strategies for coping with anxiety. You may be able to address your anxiety issues by working on life skills or changing your habits. For instance, a person burdened with undue anxiety over a busy schedule might be able to ease their feelings with a better organizational plan or smarter scheduling. Keep in mind that strategies can always be introspective. For instance, your therapist may suggest that you write down your fears and anxieties and work through them with positive counterpoints, logical thinking, or affirmations.
The best way to find the right mental health strategies for you is to work with a professional therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You can also find great ideas for dealing with anxiety in books and online.
Natural treatments
If you work with a psychiatrist, you may end up taking a prescription medication (or multiple prescription medications) to help you with your anxiety and any other mental health issues or conditions that you might have. But you don’t have to have a prescription to take something that helps you feel more calm and in control. There are other over-the-counter options, including natural treatments.
Consider taking Anxiocalm, a natural supplement that has been clinically studied to quiet nerves and relieve occasional anxiety. Such supplements help some people stay a little calmer when anxiety rears its ugly head. Trying such products is safe and simple, and they may just become part of your routine.
Experts also believe that marijuana, and the cannabinoid CBD in particular, can help with anxiety, say California medical marijuana lawyers who are experts in the subject. Marijuana is available with and without a prescription in some states, and CBD (which is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get you high) is available even more widely, also with or without a prescription.
Anxiety can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that if you suffer from any anxiety disorder, you are not alone. There are products and professionals readily available to you at all times. Sometimes, talking with a friend or loved one can help ease your symptoms, but the most important thing is to listen to your body and your mind and give them both what they need.
