Anxiety is a perfectly normal feeling when faced by uncertainty and possible danger. At one time or another during your life, you will almost certainly feel tension and discomfort in anticipation of an "event". It might be performing in public or going to the dentist. It might be stress triggered by the loss of your job, a divorce or a death in the family. In most cases, these feelings pass quite quickly and a more positive attitude returns.
But, sometimes, the feelings grow more intense. They feel their heart racing, they become breathless, they sweat and tremble. It feels like the world is coming to an end. And, if there is no immediate cause, this is an anxiety disorder. Anxiety as a response to the real threat of some kind is perfectly natural. Symptoms of anxiety without a stimulus is a disorder and it can rapidly disrupt your life.
TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDER
The medical profession has identified different types of anxiety disorder:
(a) Generalized anxiety disorder is extreme worry about what should be the routine things in life. People who suffer from this disorder worry all the time about themselves and those they love, always fearing something terrible is going to happen.
(b) Panic disorder (sometimes with agoraphobia) is where people suffer extreme panic symptoms for no apparent reason. Over time, many come to fear going out and mixing socially which significantly interferes with the quality of life. Agoraphobia is a fear associated with specific places and situations, usually involving the presence of many other people. At home or in places considered "safe", the person can function well. This leads to aggressive avoidance strategies to minimize exposure to the places and situations most feared.
(c) Social phobia is a fear that you will be judged negatively by other people. This can affect every aspect of life from work functions to everyday activities like eating in public.
(d) Obsessive compulsive disorder is where a person seeks to distract him or herself from persistent thoughts by performing calming rituals.
(e) Post-traumatic stress disorder is where a person who has experienced a traumatic event cannot stop reliving it and eventually grows emotionally numb.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN RESEARCH FINDINGS ON XANAX
In all the major clinical trials both filed with the FDA to get approval and subsequently, Xanax has consistently outperformed the placebo and other drugs used for the treatment of both anxiety and panic disorders. In some studies more than 80% of the participants stopped having panic attacks and saw a marked improvement in their quality of life. These results were achieved within four to eight weeks.
The best approach is to combine drug therapy with counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The use of a drug such as Xanax produces a period of calm when worries recede and panic episodes stop. If appropriate, compatible antidepressants may also be prescribed.
This offers a window of opportunity during which you can learn how to change your thought patterns and the behavior that has triggered anxiety and panic in the past. In the long term, it is better to abandon old habits and make new habits. This may involve desensitivization therapy where, through exposure to the feared situations, people learn coping strategies and new responses.