Anxiety is something most of us will feel regularly, perhaps even most days of our lives. It is the human body’s natural response to stress or perceived danger. In these small, everyday amounts anxiety is a good thing. It’s what inspires us to study extra hard for that big test or dress up for that date you’ve got tonight.
But for some people, these feelings of anxiety go beyond normal levels – and last much longer, too. If your feelings of anxiety become much more intense and begin to interfere with your everyday life, you may actually be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
What anxiety feels like
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder may include the following:
- Stress and nervous feelings
- Trouble concentrating
- A sense of impending doom or dread
- Irritability
- Being on edge
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite
- Sweating
- Fast breathing
- Hot flashes
- Shaking
- Increased heart rate
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Gastrointestinal distress
Types of anxiety disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
Causes of anxiety disorders
The underlying cause of an anxiety disorder is more difficult to determine than a more standard illness like the common cold. Instead, anxiety disorders are typically the result of a complex mix of biological and environmental factors.
Examples of risk factors or medical conditions sometimes linked to the development of anxiety include:
- Family history of anxiety
- Personal history of other mental health disorders
- Traumatic events or experiences
- Abuse
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- COPD
- Asthma
- Drug abuse
- Chronic Pain
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Treatment for anxiety symptoms
Lifestyle changes
Your mental health goes hand-in-hand with your physical health. If you take care of your physical health, you can also relieve some of the symptoms of your anxiety. It may take as little as 30 minutes of exercise, three to five times each week.
Another lifestyle change that may help you find relief is to adapt a consistent sleep schedule and practice good hygiene. If getting to sleep is difficult for you, maybe try some mindfulness meditation, or spending less time on your phone or other electronic devices before bed.
If you’re going through an especially stressful time, you probably find that you’re turning to comfort substances like caffeine and alcohol, but these can only make your symptoms worse over time.
Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety Relief
Exactly how ketamine treats anxiety disorders is still being researched, much like what leads to the development of anxiety. The current understanding is that ketamine binds to receptors in the brain that increase the amount of a neurotransmitter – glutamate – is released. This will then set off a chain of reactions within the brain that affects thinking and emotional regulation.
To put this in layman’s terms, the brain reacts to ketamine in a way that triggers hormones that help create more positive emotions. This can occur within minutes after a person receives their infusion, but some people may need several treatments before they experience the highest level of benefits.
Contact us today to learn more about our innovative new treatments for anxiety.
