Management
Treatment of an anxiety disorder often involves several different strategies including:
• Finding and avoiding triggers
• Counselling and psychological treatments to help a person change their thought patterns and the way they react to certain situations (e.g., cognitive behaviour therapy)
• Breathing and muscle relaxation techniques
• Physical exercise
• Medicines
Many people with anxiety problems may also have depression and may need help for both conditions.
Medicines
Prescription medicines for anxiety disorders include:
• Anti-anxiety and sedative medicines
• Antidepressant medicines.
Complimentary Medicines
There is a wide variety of complimentary medicines that may be suitable for mild anxiety, and you can speak to your Doctor, Pharmacist or Naturopath for further advice.
Self care
• Share your anxious thoughts and feelings with someone you trust.
• Learn about your anxiety disorder and how to manage it.
• Exercise at a moderate level for at least 30 minutes on all or most days of the week, to improve general health and wellbeing, sleep and mood.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques to relax your body and mind.
• Get adequate sleep and relaxation.
• Eat a healthy, well balanced diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and grain foods. Limit foods high in fat, sugar or salt.
• Don’t smoke. Nicotine may worsen anxiety symptoms.
• Limit alcohol. It may worsen anxiety symptoms
• Limit caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks). It may worsen anxiety symptoms.
Getting help
Help is available for people with anxiety disorders and their families and friends. Doctors, psychologists and counsellors can give professional help and there are community support groups for many types of anxiety disorders.
For more information
A doctor – listed under ‘Medical Practitioners’ in the yellow pages of the phone book.
Beyond Blue – Info Line phone 1300 22 4636 or website www.beyondblue.org.au or youth website www.ybblue.com.au
Kids Helpline – phone 1800 55 1800 or website www.kidshelp.com.au
Lifeline – phone 13 11 14 (24 hours, Australia-wide) or website www.lifeline.org.au
Mental Health Council of Australia phone (02) 6285 3100 or website www.mhca.org.au
Sane Australia – phone 1800 187 263 or website www.sane.org
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets – your pharmacist can advise on availability.
Medicines Line – phone 1300 888 763 Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.
The Poisons Information Centre – in case of poisoning phone 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.
* This information has been prepared by Sue Crawford, a registered and practicing Pharmacist for the benefit of the Women Can International Inc community. It is intended as an awareness raising, general information article and not specific advice. Please seek the services of a Medical or Mental Health Practitioner if you recognise or are concerned about any of these symptoms in your own life.
