Living with an Anxiety Disorder

Maintain routines. It is very important to continue with day‑to‑day habits so that anxiety does not ‘gain ground’. This means that the person should strive to maintain their normal activities and try not to avoid situations that generate anxiety. For example, if the treatment has enabled a patient to take the train to go to work, although doing so will still generate a little anxiety, it is very important that they continue practicing this situation so that their anxiety about it continues to decrease.

Participate in sports. Regular physical activity is advisable for almost everyone, and people who have an anxiety disorder are no exception. Some scientific studies have concluded that regular, moderate‑intensity physical exercise can help reduce and relieve the symptoms of anxiety.

Maintain good eating and sleeping habits. Keeping proper eating and sleeping habits is basic to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sleeping fewer hours than recommended over a sustained period can produce irritability or stress, an aspect that can negatively affect the symptoms of anxiety.

Do not consume stimulants in excess. The use of stimulants such as coffee in high amounts and for long periods can increase anxiety levels.

Avoid toxic substances. Some people with anxiety disorders consume certain substances such as alcohol or cannabis to help reduce the discomfort caused by some symptoms of their anxiety. However, doing so does not make the symptoms disappear in the medium to long term and increases their risk of having problems related to substance abuse.

Be socially active. A good social circle that allows active friendships can be a good tool for combatting the depressive symptoms, such as sadness or excessive apathy, that some people with anxiety disorders may have.

Share discomfort with the surrounding environment. Some people can benefit from sharing their discomfort with the people around them or with support groups. It is important for patients to relive their discomfort and it can also help the people surrounding the patient to identify the first symptoms of a relapse.

Comply with the treatment. Following the treatment guidelines is important to combat the symptoms of anxiety. There are people with an anxiety disorder who may need to take medication for long periods. In these cases, the person may lose their motivation, think about abandoning their treatment, or become tired of some of their treatment’s side effects. It is very important for the patient to express these doubts or reservations to their healthcare providers so that they can assess the best treatment options.