Anxiety treatment and lifestyle changes
Types of anxiety medication
There are many types of medication that are prescribed for anxiety disorders, and they fall into six categories:
- Tricyclics (Anti-depressants) - a group of anti-depressants , such as Amitriptyline (Lentizol, Tryptizol)
- MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) - a group of anti-depressants that are normally prescribed only when no other anti-depressant medication has worked, such as Phenelzine (Nardil)
- SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) - most common type of anti-depressants and medication prescribed for anxiety disorders, IBS and premature ejaculation, such as Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Paroxetine (Seroxat)
- Sleeping Pills - Prescribed to help with sleep and to calm if you are constantly anxious and other medication hasn't worked, such as Temazepam and Zopiclone (Zimovane)
- Anxiolytics (Anti-anxiety drugs) - prescribed, in most cases, purely for anxiety, such as Diazepam (Atensine, Rimapam, Valium)
- Beta Blockers - prescribed for the physical symptoms of anxiety such as palpitations, like Propranolol (Inderal)
What else can I do?
Diet - 'Diet can play a part in helping to control your anxiety,' says Patricia. 'Because anxiety means that your nervous system is already stimulated you don't need anything else that can stimulate it, such as food and drink containing caffeine.'So that means you need to cut out tea, coffee (unless decaffeinated), chocolate and fizzy drinks containing caffeine. 'Having a good, balanced diet is important, especially because if you skip meals you can feel lightheaded and that can lead you to believe that you're having a panic attack,' says Patricia.
Learn to relax - 'Take charge of your relaxation. If your body and mind is relaxed then it's physically impossible to get anxious,' says Patricia.
Talk about it - Talking therapies really help in combating anxiety disorders, CBT has a great success rate. 'Don't be embarrassed. Once you start talking about it you can understand it,' says Patricia.
Useful contacts
No Panic offer a free helpline 365 days of the year from 10am to 10pm, call 0808 808 0545.
You can become a member of No Panic for just £12 and you'll have access to a phone recovery group where you'll meet people every week for an hour over 14 weeks to discuss your anxieties over the phone, (this is always in the evening and always when the calls are at the cheapest rate).
Or you can have a mentor where you discuss over the phone your anxiety disorder. This goes on for six weeks and then you have a break and then have another six weeks, if you need it.
Anxiety UK have lots of information about various therapies, medication and support groups, plus they have a helpline, call 08444 775 774, and offer therapy at reduced rates.
Need more help?
- Read more in-depth info about anxiety disorders
- What's your stress level? Take our quiz to find out
- Do you think you'd feel better after a good night's sleep?
- Are you using drink to cope?
- Could you be depressed?
By Louise O'Connell
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