Anxiety disorders are a common disease these days. In some cases, they are no different from any other disease that could be cured with proper medication.
This is the advice of the Consumer Council in a series of reports in association with the Drug Education Resources Centre of The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong to heighten consumer awareness on the proper use of drugs and medication.
For instance, people with impaired serotonin secretion and suffering from anxiety disorders are most likely to respond positively to drug treatment.
So, it is important that one should recognize the early symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as stress, depression and insomnia, and face up to the illness.
Consumers are advised not to be overly worried. They should take decisive action to seek help from the family doctor and psychiatric specialist for a diagnosis. Remember, timely diagnosis and adequate treatment is the key to recovery.
A number of treatments is available that may include behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy and drug therapy. Consumers should be patient as the therapy may take time to show effects.
To learn more about drug treatment, they could ask their doctor and pharmacist for information. Or refer to the article in CHOICE on the proper way to use anti-anxiety drugs and anti-depressants, and the pitfalls to avoid.
The Consumer Council reserves all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE Magazine and Online CHOICE( https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/ ).