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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety Disorder

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Question: Hi Doctor. I previously asked you about a question about my anxiety disorder condition. You suggested some tips to overcome the overwhelming drowsiness , depersonalization and difficulty to focus. As you said the first step is accepting the diagnosis. I am back to square one on that. I read somewhere that whenever you see a new sympton don't assume that it is due to anxiety and consult the doctors again. I also read in some forum that a 22 yr old female had brain stem stroke mis diagonsed as anxiety . This has freaked me out. I had my MRI done in january which was clear. Now I am having difficulty in figuring whether my symptons are just anxiety related or some medical emergency . I feel severly depersonalized in fluroscent lights and in places with a lot of visual, audio stimulations . I am on the verge of losing control and freaking out in those places. I also get the feeling as if I am choking on my saliva in these siutations. What would you suggest I should do assure myself that it is indeed anxiety and nothing else.

Answered by Dr. K. V. Anand (12 hours later)

Brief Answer: DO NOT THINK NEGATIVE ABOUT FUTURE, LIVE TODAY Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX Please do not worry As I already mentioned, accepting that you have anxiety disorder is indeed the first step towards cure. I stand by that. You also understand that anxiety is a disorder and not a disease. Diseases need medication and disorders need life style changes. You had almost all those tests to determine your physical and organic conditions which determines diseases, which you thought you had. They all came negative. Still you are acquiring new knowledge about diseases and getting anxious about it and want to go for new tests. This is Obsessive Behavior. Naturally comes with Hypochondriasis. Knowledge is for information and for further use. Not to get confused or to be anxious about. Every MBBS student goes through such syndrome and is called "Intern's syndrome". Acquire enough knowledge to overcome this syndrome. As long as your doctors are concerned YOU ARE FIT. Is there any alternative way to prove it? God will not come to you and say that you are fit. Therefore you should accept the doctor's verdict and behave accordingly, means FORGET IT. You went to so many doctors and everyone said same. Even in future, the same is going to happen. That is evident, Then? Why is this happening? Because you do not believe in yourself or in almighty. Those who believe in self, know they are doing everything they can and will not worry about what might happen in future. Those who believe in almighty, believe that nothing about their future is in their control and therefore they don't worry about future. Future includes diseases also. In both cases, to live peacefully, you need to ignore thoughts about future. FORGET PAST, DO NOT THINK NEGATIVE ABOUT FUTURE, LIVE TODAY. Happily. Psychotherapy is a science which is based on life style changes. I shall give you some techniques here to overcome your anxiety: 1. Basic is ignoring the symptoms. For that you need to be busy. Do what ever you can to keep yourself busy and active. Exercising, Playing outdoor games etc. Keep yourself fit means you gain confidence that you are doing your bit to be healthy. Also take care of your studies or career. Whenever negative thoughts or symptoms comes. ignore them, and learn to divert thoughts to anything other than negative. Keep yourself busy for next 15 days and you will see the change coming. 2. Meditation should help you. Just sit in a quite place. Close your eyes and start breathing normally. Observe the breathing. Just do that. If thoughts go beyond, slowly bring them back to the breathing. Don't worry about anything. Do this for 20 minutes twice daily. 3. Believe in god. He is the creator and he has already written everything about you. That will happen. You will die when god wants you to. Means you have no control over the future. Accept it. Worrying about future and body conditions is actually wasting the life today. LIVE TODAY Happily. 4. Keep a diary. Write down all the episodes which gives you anxiety symptoms. Find solutions to overcome it and never try to escape the situation. Face it head on. Wait for it to happen and jump into it. 5. Stand in front of a large mirror and say every positive things you can remember. Do this several times in a day. 6. Utter positive statements throughout the day. whenever you can. Ignore negative thoughts. Please come forth with any doubts you may have. Good luck.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. K. V. Anand (2 hours later)

Thanks Doctor. I am trying to accept that it is indeed anxiety. I will need your inputs along the way so I am keeping the thread open. The flursocent lighting thing that I mentioned. Is it common with anxiety sufferers? Also the choking on saliva thing. Two of my most disturbing symptons.

Answered by Dr. K. V. Anand (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer: DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX The illusion when you are in the places where fluorescent lighting are available, Such symptoms are associated with anxiety and panic disorders, though not that common. This way of symptoms could be with any thing. Somebody might dislike sounds, motor revving, scratch noise, water, sound of waves, medicines etc etc. What we have to understand, these are not anxiety related, but Obsessive disorder related. Learn to see these as separate. In both these cases, be busy and learn to face the anxiety creating situation HEAD ON. And learn to divert thoughts towards more priority thoughts. Engaging yourself in creative activities and sports helps you to achieve this very fast. When you play a sports like badminton, you and your mind is always on the move, with the shuttle. This causes mind to concentrate on the game, therefore no other thoughts will come while you play. But before and after the play, the negative thoughts shall come, and that is where you should become adamant. Do not accept them and Ignore them. Setbacks are common during the treatment. But you should value each and every improvement in your condition, accept it, appreciate yourself, say I DID IT AND I AM GOING TO DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. Do not forget god, he is the ultimate answer to all your queries. I have so many success stories in my case history. I am sure you will be the next. God bless you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. K. V. Anand (2 days later)

Hi Dr Setbacks have become far more common in my case. Currenlty I am living like a zombie , easily startled and not able to focus. I was wondering if you can have face to face discussion via Skype with you outside of the HCM domain, or else if u can recommend any therpaist in mumbai who I can consult. As this is taking away the fun from my life. Thanks again for the patience :)

Answered by Dr. K. V. Anand (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: call me after 8.30 PM today or tomorrow Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX You can call me after 8.30 PM today or tomorrow. My phone number is 0000 Please be prepared with every detail you can provide me. Also keep a pen and paper handy. Good luck.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. K. V. Anand (1 hour later)

Thanks Doctor , I will call you tommorow @ 8:30 . Thanks a lot for helping me out .

Answered by Dr. K. V. Anand (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Good Detailed Answer: Thanks XXXX Call me @8.30 PM tomorrow. God bless you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. K. V. Anand (37 hours later)

Hi Doctor. First I would like to thank for taking your valuable time and helping me out and I am glad to say that talking to you really helped. As suggested I am going to follow the 3 tips that you gave in the start of the thread religiously. 1. Breath deep (not hurting or not straining) and have plenty of oxygen whenever possible. 2. Drink plenty and plenty of water and other fruit juices.A tomato a day keeps anxiety away. 3. Practice relaxation twice daily. Sit in a quite place comfortably. Close your eyes. Gently clasp your hands and jeep them on your lap. Breath deep slowly. Relax and Relax. Feel you are relaxing. Try to focus your attention on your breathing. If the thoughts wander, no problem, let it be. Bring your attention gently back to the breathing whenever you are aware of your thoughts. This is called "mindfullness". Don't worry about anything. Just relax. Twice daily 20 minutes each. Will keep you posted with my progress.

Answered by Dr. K. V. Anand (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: God bless you Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX Nice to her that you feel better. Do the three steps for a week and come back. Besides, all these psychotherapy techniques are based on one basic though and truth. PAST IS PAST. THEY GAVE YOU POSITIVE LESSONS FOR YOUR FUTURE, NOT NEGATIVE. TOMORROW IS UNPREDICTABLE. THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THEM. LIVE TODAY. ENJOY. God bless you.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E