Anxiety

Causes of anxiety

Doctors are still working out the mechanisms of anxiety. Some people get an anxiety disorder after an event that they have found traumatic, or a bereavement. Anxiety disorders are also linked to chronic stress. But a lot of people develop anxiety disorders for no apparent reason. Doctors believe anxiety is caused by lots of different factors, and this makes it hard to pinpoint an exact cause in any one individual. But research suggests there are some things in a person’s history, and in their lifestyle that can make it more likely that they will suffer with anxiety. These include:

• adverse childhood experiences such as bullying, abuse, neglect or domestic violence
• a painful long-term condition such as sciatica
• a history of substance misuse
• having family members with anxiety disorders
• overactivity in certain areas of the brain

Some people with anxiety disorder show an imbalance in the neurotransmitter chemical serotonin and the hormone noradrenaline.

What are the symptoms of anxiety ?

The physical symptoms of anxiety disorder can include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• shaking or trembling
• fatigue
• tension
• headaches
• dizziness and light-headedness
• chest and abdominal pains
• shortness of breath

Anxiety has some mental symptoms too:

• excessive worries about a range of different things like social situations, worst case scenarios and even anxiety itself
• dissociation (the feeling that you may not be real)

How is anxiety diagnosed?

A GP will use various questionnaire tools and observations to diagnose anxiety disorder. It is difficult to diagnose mental health conditions and it is best to make an appointment with your GP if you are not feeling quite right. They can help you make the best decisions about your care, including choices of anxiety meds and therapies. Most anxiety meds are available only on prescription, so you need to see a GP to get them.

What should I do if I think I have anxiety disorder?

If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, speak with a healthcare professional. They will give reassurance and advice about lifestyle changes that can help. They will explore anti-anxiety medication options if that is appropriate, and talking therapies.

Some people are put off getting help for an anxiety disorder because of shame and stigma, or because they believe disordered anxiety is a sign of weakness. But anxiety disorder is an illness, just like flu or a broken leg. GPs see many people with anxiety and they have lots of ways to help.

What treatments are there for anxiety ?

There are plenty of treatment options for anxiety disorder. The most common treatment regime for anxiety disorder is a mix of lifestyle changes, medication and therapy.

Talking therapies for anxiety

There are several different types of talking therapy available for anxiety. The most common is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which aims to teach skills that will reduce your anxiety symptoms. Even if you’ve had CBT before, it’s worth having a refresher from time to time.

Drugs and medications used for anxiety

Not all cases of anxiety disorder need drug therapy. But there is a range of different treatment options if your doctor agrees that medication is the best option for your anxiety. And if one anxiety treatment doesn’t work, your doctor will help you to try another.

Drugs that treat anxiety are known as anxiolytics . Some anxiety drugs target the chemical messengers linked to anxiety – GABA; the hormone norepinephrine; and the neurotransmitter serotonin. These drug families are:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Some common SSRIs that treat anxiety are:

• escitalopram
• fluoxetine
• paroxetine

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Examples of SNRIs used for anxiety treatment are:

• duloxetine
• venlafaxine

GABA derivatives

The most common GABA derivative for treating anxiety is pregabalin.

Other drugs that may be prescribed for anxiety

There are some other classes of drugs used to treat anxiety:

• buspirone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine, tranylcypromine
• sedatives recognized as anxiolytics including benzodiazepines
• tricyclic antidepressants including clomipramine

Drugs that affect the brain need to be handled with care. They are available only with a prescription and even experienced, knowledgeable patients benefit from the support of a doctor or pharmacist in managing their anti-anxiety regime. So keep in touch with your doctor, and ask for advice if something doesn’t seem right, or if you think you need to stop taking your anxiety meds.

Most medications used to treat anxiety are prescription only medications (POMs). You will need to see a doctor about your anxiety disorder. They will prescribe the right meds to relieve your anxiety and give advice on lifestyle changes that will help you recover. In Canada you can depend on NX Pharmacies for your anti-anxiety drugs. We serve Western Canada and can fill your prescription of anxiety medication and deliver it next day to major towns and cities. We can help with renewals and refills. Our discretion is assured, and you can depend on us for authentic Health Canada-approved medications.

How to prevent anxiety

Some lifestyle changes recommended for anxiety can be helpful in preventing a recurrence. You can always ask your GP for help in implementing them.

Get enough sleep to avoid anxiety

Anxiety can be made worse by poor sleep and lack of rest. The Public Health Agency of Canada has some advice on improving sleep. It says that 12.3% of adults who don’t get enough sleep report having poor mental health, while just 5.8% adults who do get enough sleep report poor mental health. Poor sleep is also linked to chronic stress, which can be a cause of anxiety disorder.

So if anxiety is becoming a problem, consider your sleep hygiene.

Some of the general lifestyle tips to help with anxiety also help with sleep. For example:

• reduce caffeine, alcohol and tobacco before bed
• get regular exercise during the week

Sometimes medications – including those you take for anxiety – cause sleep problems. If you think this is the case with you, ask for a medication review with your doctor or pharmacist.

Practice relaxation to reduce the impact of anxiety

Breathing exercises and yoga routines designed to promote relaxation help some people with anxiety disorder.

Eat a healthy diet to reduce anxiety symptoms

Regular meals of healthy food will keep your energy levels stable and ease anxiety symptoms. Reducing your intake of foods and drinks that contain caffeine can also relieve anxiety.

Physical activity helps anxiety

Exercise can improve general wellbeing and lessen anxiety, so acquiring an exercise habit is a good idea if you have anxiety disorder. Even a ten-minute walk around the block a couple of times a week can make all the difference.

Abstain from alcohol and recreational drugs if you have anxiety disorder

Some people with anxiety may self-medicate with alcohol or other substances. They do appear to help you relax, but they can also lead to more anxiety and depression. And their aftereffects can also bring on anxiety, so healthcare practitioners recommend abstinence or moderation.

Therapy can teach skills to prevent anxiety

Therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can help you to manage the symptoms of anxiety. This is available privately, or it may be included in your health plan. Your GP can advise you about accessing talking therapy for anxiety disorder.

The healthcare charity Anxiety Canada offers cognitive behavioural therapy via a free app, Mindshift CBT. This can teach you skills to reduce anxiety.

Reduce caffeine to control anxiety

Many people use caffeine in the form of coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate to give a little wake-up boost to their tired brains. But it can also make a person jittery and increase anxiety levels. Cutting down the amount of caffeine you consume can relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorder. Remember that some cough and cold remedies also contain caffeine, so if you are trying to avoid it, check labels.