Anxiety Self Help Techniques Articles | Anxiety

By: Paul Dylan

Individuals who suffer from anxiety know how important it is to try to achieve anxiety self help. At its worst, anxiety can lead to very serious problems, such as complete avoidance of many everyday activities.

While we all worry and feel anxious from time to time it is important to distinguish that anxiety disorder is not the same as simply experiencing occasional worry. Anxiety disorder is a type of extreme worry and anxiety that goes on for prolonged periods of time. Individuals who suffer from anxiety disorder experience debilitating symptoms which can flare into a full fledged anxiety attack.

Common symptoms of an anxiety attack include:

• An unrealistic view of problems

• Excessive worry and tension

• Irritability

• Sweating

• Muscle tension

• Restlessness

• Feeling edgy

• Nausea

• Difficulty concentrating

• Headaches

• Tiredness, lethargy and fatigue

• Urinating frequently

• Sleep disturbances

• Trembling

• Easily startled

The effects of anxiety disorder can be quite serious, leading to other problems such as avoidance behavior, low self-esteem, depression, alcohol or drug abuse and interpersonal difficulties.

Taking the time to learn about anxiety is one positive step toward achieving self help. It is important to stress that anxiety is treatable. The pain and discomfort of this disorder can be relieved by taking positive steps toward recovery. Coping techniques can help to relieve anxiety so that you can begin to live a normal life.

Breathing exercises have been found to be especially helpful for individuals who feel as though they are about to experience an anxiety attack. Due to the fact that one of the most common symptoms is rapid breathing when anxiety sets in, it is important to take slow, shallow breaths. Focus on breathing deeply to help counteract the automatic reaction of rapid breathing that is often triggered by an anxiety attack.

Oddly enough, make a pointed effort to try to increase your anxiety symptoms can also have a reverse calming effect.

Speaking positively to yourself when you feel anxious can also have a tremendously calming effect. Tell yourself that your symptoms will diminish. Remind yourself that this will pass and you will make it through it. As you speak positively to yourself, you will likely find that your symptoms have already started to lessen.

If necessary, you may even find it helpful to write down some supportive statements on index cards and carry them with you. Then, when you are feeling anxious and cannot focus on speaking positively to yourself, you will have the positive statements to read. This is a great portable tool that can be used anywhere and anytime you feel anxious.

Finally, make a pointed effort to discuss your anxiety with someone you trust. This could be a family member or friend or you might think about joining an anxiety support group where you can discuss your anxiety with others who experience the same issues.

It is possible to overcome anxiety and the debilitating effects of anxiety with positive anxiety self help methods.