Anxiety cont.
Treatment: CBT Other supports: Family and friends can help by supporting the young person to manage and face their fears when they are ready to do so. In the case of pre-adolescents this is vital. There is some evidence that such peer support groups can help with recovery from anxiety. For specific helpful resources and contacts sign in to your MHFAider Support App or go to the Hub of Hope website directly. Encourage self-care specific to anxiety. Encourage the young person to identify and challenge exaggerated worries. Suggest they reduce their caffeine intake to 300mg or less per day or avoid it altogether. Encourage them to engage in regular physical activity (30-60 minutes each day) if they can, as well as engaging in leisure time as well. Suggest they get enough sleep to feel well rested when they wake. – Some people try to self-medicate anxiety with opiates like heroin or by abusing prescription drugs like diazepam or nitrazepam. These are all addictive (198). – Alcohol can relieve feelings of anxiety, but long-term use and withdrawal often increase anxiety levels. This can lead to a destructive cycle of increasing use (199).
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