Being diagnosed with one of the many types
of severe disorders can be terrifying – but it’s not as
terrifying as what you’ve been suffering through every
day, leaving a disorder untreated. While you really should
seek medical advice to fully treat your severe anxiety
disorder, there are some things you can do in your
day-to-day life that will help you manage it – it all
depends on what type of severe anxiety disorder you have
been diagnosed with.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
You may be suffering from the severe
anxiety disorder known as OCD. This disorder is
characterized by repetitive behaviors known as compulsions
as well as obsessive, unwanted thoughts. Cognitive behavior
therapy is the most common treatment for OCD patients.
Therapy for this severe anxiety disorder has two components:
exposure and response prevention, and cognitive therapy.
Exposure and response prevention is basically repeated
exposure to the source of an obsession – the patient then
must resist the compulsive behavior. Cognitive therapy
involves focusing on the unwanted, obsessive thoughts and
teaching the patient healthy ways of responding to
them.
Generalized Anxiety
Disorder
If you’re coping with the form of severe
anxiety disorder known as GAD, or generalized
anxiety disorder, you have to try and control your constant
worrying over everyday things. Some patients can control
their worries on their own. They are able to self-soothe and
deal with their worrying in more productive ways. The best
ways for you to self-soothe involve the five senses – taking
long, relaxing walks; listening to soothing music; smelling
pleasant scents like flowers or candles; eating good food;
even petting your dog or cat are all effective ways of
self-soothing. Meditation and deep breathing are also very
effective ways to self-treat GAD
symptoms.
Panic
Disorder
If you’re suffering from the severe
anxiety disorder called panic disorder, you often suffer
panic attacks – sometimes for no apparent reason at all.
Treatment for
panic disorder involves cognitive therapy. Cognitive
therapy focuses on changing your thinking patterns and
behaviors so you can identify your fears and see them in a
more realistic light. Doctors also use exposure therapy to
help patients. You are asked to artificially recreate the
symptoms you suffer naturally, like hyperventilating, so
that you become more used to them and become less afraid. To
manage this severe anxiety disorder, you should practice
relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation at
home.
General Ways To
Cope
There are other types of severe anxiety
disorders as well as other methods of dealing with them, but
there are some general guidelines you can follow to help
calm yourself down at home. Remember to drink less caffeine,
as high levels can naturally increase your heartbeat.
Practice relaxing breathing techniques at home or take up
yoga. And always remember to try and stay as relaxed as
possible – the more relaxed you are, the less you’ll stress,
and that will do wonders for the severity and frequency of
your attacks!