Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most scientifically verified treatment for anxiety disorders. In fact, there are over 1,000 studies on 10,000 patients, all demonstrating its effectiveness. It has been successively used on a wide variety of disorders, including stroke.
You can also learn self-help techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness. Like many emotional difficulties, having a healthy diet, dealing with sleep problems and being physically active can all help you manage your anxiety. Contact your stroke nurse or GP for individual advice.
Antidepressants: Depression and anxiety are common after a stroke. One often prescribed antidepressant type is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Examples are citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Rapiflux), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva), or sertraline (Zoloft).
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.
New research adds to the evidence that Doyal's experience is all too common. A new study finds that one in four stroke survivors report experiencing moderate to severe anxiety two to eight weeks after their stroke, with incidence more common in women and those who are single, divorced or widowed.
Most anxiety disorders after stroke are caused by psychological and biological changes in the brain. This means they may require more complex treatment approaches.
Anxiety affects 25% of stroke survivors. There are no effective treatments. Poststroke depression, prestroke anxiety and depression, locus of control, coping, confidence, fatigue, and sleep are factors that may be associated with poststroke anxiety and can potentially be targeted by therapy.
Anxiety is Not Always Mental
It also affects the way you feel. It can cause chain reactions that lead to symptoms so pronounced they feel like you are suffering from a stroke. The key thing to understand is that the symptoms can be so similar that you should still strongly consider seeing a doctor.
The good news is that some studies (study links, a and b) have identified how magnesium may ease certain symptoms of stress and anxiety. Here are the facts: Magnesium may help to control the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, resulting in a calming effect on the body.
Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety. Other foods, including fatty fish like wild Alaskan salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids. A study completed on medical students in 2011 was one of the first to show that omega-3s may help reduce anxiety.
At the molecular level, if water levels are too low, our brain cells cannot function properly, with the brain showing signs of working harder to complete tasks. Our cells recognise a state of dehydration as a threat to survival, leading to a state of anxiety.
Anxiety may be caused by a mental condition, a physical condition, the effects of drugs, stressful life events, or a combination of these. The doctor's initial task is to see if your anxiety is a symptom of another medical condition.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders. They affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. However, anxiety disorders are treatable with a number of psychotherapeutic treatments.
Anxiety medications are typically prescription only, but some OTC products can address particular anxiety symptoms, such as mood changes, stress, and sleep difficulties. Below, we look at some OTC medications that address some anxiety symptoms.