The
Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that 18.1% of Americans
above 18 years suffer from anxiety. Persons suffering from this disorder
require immediate medical attention, which is hard to find now that the
lockdown is effective.
A guest post by Sara Anderson

Many
companies have laid down most of their employees, a move that is causing
financial strain in several households. Other stressors coupled up with limited
finances are causing Americans to plummet into anxiety.
And
while it was easy to manage stress before the onset of the pandemic, things are
not the same now. It is essential for persons suffering from this disorder and
their immediate family members to learn how to manage the situation at home.
Take a look at some of the steps you can take to calm an anxious person before
you opt for medical help.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety
is a mental disorder that causes the sufferer to think excessively and
uncontrollably about life’s situations. It is relatively easy to spot an
anxious individual through the symptoms they exhibit. Some of the most
prevalent symptoms of an anxiety attack include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sweating
- Fast breathing
- Fear
- Lack of sleep
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Rapid heartbeat
- Restlessness
While
these are the typical symptoms of an anxiety attack, each person experiences
different symptoms depending on their mental disorder.
Anxiety Diagnosis
Before
you are diagnosed with anxiety, psychiatrists have to run a series of tests
that will determine if you have other underlying conditions masquerading as the
disorder or you genuinely suffer from the disease. A typical visit to the
doctor will include the following tests:
A physical exam
Your
doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and how frequently they occur.
The psychiatrist will also want to know how long you’ve experienced the
symptoms and whether you have stressors that accentuate the situation.
Lab tests
You
will also go through several lab tests that will determine whether you have
other underlying illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, which may have the same
warning sign as anxiety.

The
doctor may require additional blood samples to see whether you are under
medication that may cause anxiety symptoms. Some of these drugs include
levodopa and cyclosporine, which are essential in treating Parkinson’s disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
Once
the doctor rules these other possibilities, he will diagnose you with anxiety
and offer you a treatment plan.
How to deal with anxiety at home
Anxiety
attacks do not have special occasions when they appear. You can have one at
home, at work, or in the grocery store. To avoid frequent attacks, you have to
prepare your body and mind to handle situations differently. Some simples
things you can do to prevent anxiety attacks include:
- Work on long-term goals you’ve been postponing
There
isn’t a better time to focus on long-term goals than when you have plenty of
free time in your hands. If these plans do not require any financial muscle, it
will be easier to move ahead with them.
Make
a timeline of what you want to accomplish and within what timeframes. Section
your plan into smaller achievable chunks so that you have something to do every
day. Such a plan keeps you busy continuously, thus reducing the time you spend
thinking about failed projects.

It
is scientifically proven that meditating on positive things improves your mood
and reduces stress levels significantly. Scientists from Harvard Medical School
show how positive meditation seems to change the brains of depressed persons.
These
studies show that depressed people can benefit from mindfulness meditation
programs to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Set aside some time to think
about positive things happening in your life. You can read books on positivity
to help you achieve milestones much easier.
- Stay away from tabloids and non-mainstream media.
Several
online publications spread the news that is meant to cause panic amongst
Americans and the globe at large. The more you read such news, the more you
feel afraid, causing you to panic. And once you indulge these rumor-mongering
tabloids, you will find it hard to distract yourself from the information.
Choose
mainstream media corporations that you’ll look for when you want to learn about
Covid-19 progress. You can also limit the time you spend watching or reading
the news to avoid falling into panic mode if you stumble upon tragic news.
One
of the sure ways to keep you focused on the positive side and healthy is taking
care of yourself. Many people do not notice that some of the things they do are
detrimental to their health. An unhealthy person cannot battle anxiety because
both their mind and body fail them.
Eat
fresh, healthy meals, and drink plenty of water. Practice good grooming daily
so that you feel good about yourself. Get enough sleep that is essential to
keep your mind and body rested. Exercising also helps to keep you in good shape.
Avoid
narcotics, especially alcohol and cigarettes, since they weaken your immune
system and alleviate anxiety symptoms.
If
you find yourself experiencing anxiety attacks after a series of behaviors, try
your best to avoid these activities. An easier way to ensure you do not fall
victim to a vicious cycle of unhealthy habits is to replace each bad habit with
a good one.
For
instance, if watching the news fuels your anxiety attacks, substitute this with
watching movies or listening to music. Whenever you go online to search for
Covid-19 related news, train your mind to think of songs and exciting films
that you can watch. If you can tag along an accountability partner to help you
stay focused, that would be even better.
- Share your thoughts with others.
Most
people who suffer from anxiety fail to talk to others about their fears. This
habit is detrimental because it overwhelms the victim. Whether or not you have
negative thoughts, talk to your family and friends and let them know how they
can help you overcome this menace.
Sometimes,
even talking about your day can make a difference, especially if yours wasn’t
as exciting.
Antidepressants
are drugs that help to suppress sad feelings and help you stay balanced. Doctors
say that most of the people who suffer recurrent anxiety attacks fail to follow
the medical prescriptions.
Since
these drugs suppress anxiety symptoms, failure to take them keeps them surging,
which leads you to suffer even harsh attacks. Ensure that you visit your doctor
for a drug refill a week before running out of the medication.
Sometimes,
you may feel that all your efforts are not bearing fruit. In this case, you can
speak to a specialist in anxiety treatment NYC who will help you unravel the emotions and find the cause
of recurrent attacks. They may prescribe more potent medication and frequent
therapy to help you cope better.
Overview
Dealing
with depression can be a tasking affair, especially during the lockdown.
However, you can use a combination of these tactics to help you stay afloat
during this period. And if you experience an attack at home even after taking
all the above steps, practice deep breathing techniques to help you relax as
you wait to see a doctor.
Remember
that it all starts in the mid, so feed your mind with the right material to
avoid unnecessary panic attacks.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle,
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)