Anxiety and panic, what may help?

Panic attacks, Anxiety, Anxiety attacks, Fear

Most people with Depression will also have unpleasant Anxiety symptoms and many will have these symptoms badly enough to be diagnosed as having Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Panic Disorder. Fortunately, antidepressants generally have an “anxiolytic” effect; that is they tend to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, as well as having an antidepressant effect. These effects typically take 2-4 weeks to kick in. If you've already been on your antidepressant for a couple of weeks and are still having problems with anxiety return to your GP. If you find that the thought of visiting your GP makes you anxious ask a friend or relation to go with you.

Your doctor may be able to help in various ways, for example:

by adjusting your medication
by helping you to identify stresses in your life that may have contributed to your illness and advising on ways of reducing these stresses
by looking for any “triggers” that cause your panic attacks and helping you to identify ways of avoiding them
by advising you on changes in your life style that would help you to reduce your anxiety
and he or she may also be able to give you specific advice on relaxation techniques or put you in touch with an agency providing this form of help.

Sometimes, when Anxiety and Panic problems are persisting, a course of counselling or psychological help might be beneficial and your doctor will also advise you on this. Anxiety often causes physical symptoms such as tiredness, palpitations, sweating and pain (usually from muscle tension). These symptoms can be severe and greatly increase read more