For too long, people struggling with mental health problems like anxiety were forced to suffer in silence because society viewed anxiety conditions as a personal weakness instead of an illness to treat. However, there has been an increased amount of attention paid to mental health issues more recently, which has gone a long way in ending the silence that once surrounded them.

This is fantastic news. For too long, mental health issues were ignored and those suffering from them were often shunned. In the past, there was a prevailing view that people should simply try to get over mental health troubles, and they were seen as weak if they couldn’t manage it. Now, the medical community treats mental health problems like any other medical condition.

That’s a big deal. With this change of thinking, mental health conditions like anxiety aren’t seen as taboo. Instead, they are treated like any other condition a person might face, like high blood pressure or diabetes.

How to Treat Anxiety

For those suffering from conditions like anxiety, and for their loved ones, there are a few things to know about effectively treating anxiety. There are two components to the treatment of anxiety.

The first component to treating anxiety involves preventative therapy which gets to the cause of the anxiety. Usually, this involves talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which explores the root of the problem and guides the client towards ways to cope with their condition. This is typically done with in-person sessions for about an hour, conducted about once per week. Results from talk therapy are not immediate, but do arise over time as a person processes what they learn by talking to their therapist.

The other type of treatment is for acute anxiety, often referred to as a panic attack. Some of the most common symptoms of a panic attack include shortness of breath, trouble breathing, difficulty focusing, and sweating profusely. One of the most common treatment options for people who suffer from panic attacks is prescription medications like benzodiazepines. Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine. For people suffering from more intense and prolonged anxiety attacks, a doctor may prescribe longer-acting benzodiazepines to prevent panic attacks in the future, like Klonopin.

Natural Anxiety Remedies

Even though these medications work well, they can also lead to serious side effects, overdose, and addiction. Therefore, there has been significant interest and research dedicated to finding alternative remedies, such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy.

Another such alternative treatment for anxiety is CBD oil, which has also proven effective in the management of sleep problems and chronic aches and pains.* Although  safe, it is important to consult with a trained healthcare professional to make sure that it is not going to interact with any medications.

When it comes to the treatment of anxiety, it is important to take a well-rounded approach. Multi-faceted treatment of anxiety should increase the chances of dealing with it successfully. Even though there isn't necessarily a cure for some anxiety conditions, it can be managed with appropriate therapy. Those who seek treatment for anxiety should also ask a trained mental health professional.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.