Awareness is the first step to the resolution of any problem. You cannot change something until you know about it. If you do not know anything about your condition, how can you then decide if you are getting treatment for it or not? As with most things in life, knowledge is power. When you know something about a topic, you are more likely to act on it. I have learned many things about my condition over the years.
First of all, I now know what I was suffering from. The first step to the resolution of that problem was to admit that I had a problem. If I did not do that, there is no way that I could have gotten any further than I already was. I am an outgoing person, so accepting that my condition was an issue that needed to be addressed was not a hard thing for me to do. I then turned my attention to finding a way to treat it. Here is a list of the top three things I have done since becoming aware of my disorder:
I have been active in the support group for people who have similar disorders as myself. I am active in my local support groups and am always willing to speak with others about my problem. I am very aware that not everyone will reach out to someone like me. I have learned that I need to reach out to whoever I think might be open to the idea of being helped by someone who also suffers from the same problem. This has made a big difference for me and helped me get the support I needed.
Second, I began taking medication on a regular basis. I started with one or two medications, but soon found that I was overwhelmed. After I increased the dosage a little bit, my blood pressure started to stabilize, which lead to lower blood pressure. This is an example of how you can take awareness of your disorder, then begin to treat it. I was able to lower my stress levels because my blood pressure was lower.
Third, I started going to therapy. When I say 'therapy,' I am not talking about going to the psychologist in the corner. I was searching for a program that could help me deal with my disorder. I chose cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a form of behavioral therapy designed specifically for people who have anxiety disorders. I was able to find a program that worked for me and I started going to weekly therapy sessions.
Fourth, I began exercising regularly. I do yoga, aerobics, and I run. When you are working to reduce your stress levels and achieve an awareness of your disorder, you cannot be sitting at home doing nothing. A lot of these exercises are part of meditation and when you combine them with awareness, you will be able to see changes in your life. If you are aware of your body and how it feels, you can begin to control your panic attacks.
Fifth, when I found out I had an anxiety disorder, I didn't panic. Instead, I accepted my predicament. Once I accepted it, I realized that it was just another one of my many challenges. I had to get past the blood pressure and I needed to do so quickly. After I did those things, I realized that I didn't have to live in fear anymore.
When you learn how to control your blood pressure, you learn how to control your panic attacks. If you don't take an active role in controlling your disorder, you may find yourself living in fear. But when you learn how to take action in controlling your anxiety, you stop living in fear and you start living in control. That is the first step to the cure of anxiety disorder. Learn more about your blood pressure and anxiety disorders today!