Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses experienced by Americans. Though there are a lot of reasons why any single individual might be more susceptible to anxiety disorders, the common ground they all share is stress.
Ongoing stress from work can result in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), while other instances of stress can cause social anxiety disorders, and stressful and traumatic situations can cause post-traumatic stress disorder.
Essentially, stress puts your body in a fight-or-flight mode and being unable to escape it takes a serious toll on the human body and psyche.
The Dangers of Chronic Anxiety
If you are scared enough, you are going to be scared all the time. If you are stressed all the time, it can be impossible to relax. We can actually train our brains to remain in a state that is harmful to us simply by not giving our bodies a break.
It works the same way that memories do. The ones we revisit often are the strongest, whereas the ones we don’t revisit can feel like they are lost to us. If you feel anxiety often, and to the point that you have anxiety attacks, this can become a big fixture in your brain that is hard to shake off on your own or even with traditional therapies.
Your brain is stopping you from recovery because you have put it in such a state of stress for so long. The best way to overcome such serious anxiety is with the stellate ganglion block injection for anxiety relief, which works to “reboot” your brain, so to speak.
What Are Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) Injections?
Stellate ganglion block anxiety injections are typically used to treat PTSD, but the mechanisms that allow PTSD to physically manifest in the brain are similar in those who suffer from chronic anxiety.
The SGB shot for anxiety works by injecting a mild anesthetic agent directly into the stellate ganglion. Most people won’t know what the stellate ganglion is, and that’s okay. Think of it as the home to your fight-or-flight response. When you are stressed or anxious, this area of your brain activates and floods your brain with a chemical.
By putting this area of your brain to sleep briefly with this PTSD breakthrough injection, you can cut off the chemical and allow the area to rest for a moment. The theory is that this allows the nerves to reset so that they are not quite so hyperactive and, instead, allow the patient to overcome anxiety.
How Does SGB Work?
SGB is a non-invasive procedure that is done in as little as 30 minutes. It will take a few days to work, so don’t be upset if you don’t feel immediate effects. Once the effects do kick in, you should feel relieved and much calmer than what you experienced before.
This isn’t the case with everyone – there is a small percentage of people that don’t react at all to SGB injections – but it is a very effective treatment method.
Will SGB Cure My Anxiety Attacks?
SGB injections can reset the part of your brain that makes your anxiety so pronounced and difficult to get a handle on. It does not change why you feel anxious or stop you from feeling anxious in the future.
You should see it as a way to physically reset your brain back to the early days of your stress. By getting help now, for instance, through CBT, you can effectively manage your anxiety before it becomes as big an issue as it did before the SGB injection.
Is SGB Permanent?
The brain is a dynamic organ, and SGB injections are not permanent. That being said, they do last a long time, and it might be years before you need another treatment. You might only need to revisit for treatment once every five years, for example.
How Long Has SGB Been Used?
SGB as a treatment has been around for a hundred years, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it started to be used to treat anxiety disorders. Before that, it was used to treat chronic pain, and it wasn’t all that effective. Today, thankfully, SGB success rates are around 85% to 90%, meaning more people can enjoy the benefits of SGB injections.
SGB for Anxiety Attacks
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that often follows traumatic experiences. Many people forget that stress and anxiety themselves are stressful states to be in. If you experience chronic anxiety or stress, especially to the point that you have anxiety or panic attacks, then you are absolutely the right candidate to get SGB treatments at a clinic like PTSD Group.
There is no reason not to try it, with many people finding that their symptoms are immediately reduced. Follow up with comprehensive anxiety therapies so that you can finally address your anxieties and move forward with your life stress-free. It can be hard to break free when your brain is sabotaging your progress, so consider SGB treatment as your first step to recovery.