Acute Anxiety Relief

Sweaty palms, shaking hands and a pounding heart. You deal with strong feelings of panic every day and sometimes you may not even know why. There are many ways to help relieve acute anxiety, ranging from prescribed treatments to relaxation methods. These are a few of them.

Therapy

• Two main types of therapy are known to help people who suffer from acute anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy addresses anxiety-driven thoughts and behaviors, while exposure therapy helps anxiety sufferers to confront fears in a controlled environment. Both therapies operate on the hope that by rerouting the mind, both internal and external anxiety triggers will eventually be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Medication

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline (Pamelor) have been largely successful in treating anxiety by inhibiting the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine by brain cells. However, they have been known to cause severe side effects including dry mouth, constipation and blurry vision.

  Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Effexor affect anxiety by increasing the body's levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters known to elevate mood. SNRIs increase these levels by holding the neurotransmitters back from being reabsorbed into the brain.

  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to relieve anxiety symptoms by impeding the reabsorption of only serotonin by the brain's nerve cells. SSRIs are popular because they are known to have generally fewer side effects than other antidepressants.

Lifestyle Changes

• Eliminate triggers. Nicotine, alcohol and sugar are all stimulants. If you are already feeling acute anxiety, avoid these substances, as they are known to cause nervousness contribute to sleep disturbances.

  Sleep well. Have a steady sleep and wake cycle and make sure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If you do not sleep on a regular schedule, you may begin to feel depressed and anxious as your serotonin levels become imbalanced.

  Eat well. Excess salt, food preservatives, certain meat hormones, junk foods and the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) have been known to increase a person's anxiety levels. Try to eat frequent, well-balanced meals that include organic meats, complex carbohydrates and very few processed foods to reduce anxiety levels.

  Exercise. Getting 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise helps boost levels of your body's feel-good chemicals (endorphins). If you haven't already, find an activity that you enjoy. It can be routine like gym trips, competitive like football, or relaxing like yoga.

Complementary Relief

• Some anxiety sufferers use complementary treatments such as meditation, massage therapy, biofeedback and hypnosis as ways to reduce their acute anxiety symptoms. While a physician is likely to recommend taking medication and getting some form of therapy, you may find additional relief if you add variety to your treatment plan.

Warning

• Do not merely seek ways to treat yourself if you are experiencing anxiety that keeps you from being able to function from day to day. Get help from a professional who can work with you to find a personalized approach for your specific condition.