Anxiety is not necessarily a bad word. It can be a motivator to meet deadlines, help people in dangerous situations, and push people to improve themselves. However, excessive anxiety and worry can cause health problems for the entire body's system—including abdominal ulcers, heart problems, hypertension, and contribute to strokes.

Fortunately there are many successful treatment avenues available to people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Below is an overview of options available that can be tailored to anyone's individual treatment plan.

Traditional Western Medicine

Traditional prescription medications work for many people coping with anxiety disorders. Groups of anti-anxiety drugs include the following:

• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), such as paroxetine, citalopram, and fluoxetine
• SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), such as duloxetine and venlafaxine
• Tricyclic Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and imipramine
• Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, alprazolam, and diazepam

The first three are beneficial for many people who need help managing anxiety over a longer period of time. The last group, benzodiazepines, can be habit-forming and are typically used for short term management of anxiety.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapeutic techniques are often used in conjunction with traditional Western medicine. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most popular among therapies for different anxiety disorders, it may not work for some people. However, there are other psychotherapy avenues available, including the following (also known to alleviate certain anxiety disorders):

• Exposure therapy (used with OCD and specific phobias)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – used with PTSD, panic disorder, and specific phobias)
• Interpersonal Therapy (used for depression and GAD)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (used with personality disorders and several anxiety disorders)
• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – used with anxiety disorders and depression)

With so many options available, counseling is an effective way to cope with anxiety disorders.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Adding CAM to a treatment plan for anxiety is often extremely helpful, especially when developing coping skills. Treatments include the following:

• Yoga – teaches breathing techniques, and is excellent exercise, which is known to help reduce anxiety and panic.
• Reiki – Japanese stress relief that uses the practitioner's hands to work with energy fields of the human body.
• Massage Therapy – Reduces muscle tension associated with anxiety disorders.
• Acupuncture – Chinese medicine that uses very thin needles to manipulate energy fields of the human body.
• Herbal medicines, such as Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy, Kava, and Valerian (individuals should check with their physician and naturopathic doctors prior to taking these to avoid possible drug interactions with traditional medications).

These therapies can help enhance the traditional forms of treatment for anxiety disorders, but are typically not meant to replace traditional treatments.

Before beginning any kind of treatment for anxiety, it is important to check with a trusted healthcare professional, such as a general physician or psychiatrist. What may work for one person may not work well for another, and tailoring a treatment plan to meet each individual's needs is vital for any successful treatment.