My personal experience of anxiety disorders, covering some 13 years, has taught me that they can have a huge negative impact on one's self-estem.

People with anxiety disorders are convinced they are different, and not in a positive way either. They can feel that people think them strange, possibly wierd even, and they feel almost unclean as a result. Their personal esteem takes a huge nosedive, and this can, as a consequence, cause people to become introverted. They can even become agoraphobic, which causes them to be housebound, which actually only exacerbates the condition as they are now trapped, devoid of the one thing they need i.e. the help and contact of others.

Curing any anxiety disorder necessitates finding out what is the root cause, or more likely causes, of the disorder and then ideally getting rid of them. The disorder will then go away as long as the source of the root cause[s] is either totally eradicated or continually managed, ideally the former.

There are many factors which can contribute towards anxiety disorders, and generally it is a combination of these factors which need addressing. It is my personal experience that it is rarely just one factor which needs treating, but usually a number of them.

You can go a long way towards a cure by addressing such issues as diet, sleep and exercise. These are called lifestyle factors, and whereas there are other lifestyle issues which may come into play such as work or family, those first 3 issues tend to play a major part in the condiiton of most people.

I have huge faith in the value of any anxiety disorder sufferer taking up exercise, no matter how modest the form of that exercise. What it does for both the body and the mind is inestimable, and I say that with a lot of feeling as it many times lifted me when I was really down on the proverbial floor.

I know that anxiety sufferers generally have very bad sleep patterns, which of course can make the problem even worse, as you will never feel refreshed, but forever be tired. Exercise can help the sleeping process in a big way as it will tire you in a positive way, and the exercise itself is even mentally relaxing. I know you may fnd that difficut to comprehend if you do not have your own regime, but trust me when I say it is true. In addition, weight control comes into the argument, the outcome of that helping with the personal self-esteem. Exercise is the best "medication" I ever encountered, but I am aware that is a very personal thing. We are all different.

My regime included, still does actually, both gym work and running. The running took me out and not just gave me a better image of myself, but it also lifted my image in the eyes of family, friends and neighbours, which in turn lifted my self-esteem. I know this to be a fact as it was mentioned to me many times, and let's be honest here, who does not want to receive such comments?.

Even though running was a huge benefit to me, and still is, even walking a few miles per week can have just as much impact to people. It is doing something which is the core to this, rather than doing nothing.

The same recommendation applies to joining a sports club or local gym, where not only will one be getting the benefit of the exercise, but will also be back amongst people again, making new friends and contacts.

I even know of a close friend who benefitted hugely just from joining his local billiards/snooker club, not the most strenuous of activity.

Most anxiety sufferers can feel they are worthless, with a very low opinion of themselves. Anything which counteracts this, and then permanently changes it, as exercise does, has indeed got to be of huge value.

Had I not started my own exercise program all those years ago, I genuinely do not how I could have managed my disorder. I am truly not sure where I would be today without it.

My sleeping improved, I have been able to control my weight, and also have learned both how to eat better, and more healthily. This in turn has all contributed to my physical well-being, which has had a big impact on my view of myself. I became not just pleased with myself, but secretly proud of what I was achieving.

I was doing things each week which few people ever attempt, and all this despite my disorder. What that did for my feeling of personal worth I simply am unable to put into words.

It goes without saying that I personally recommend anyone with any form of an anxiety disorder to start taking up some form of exercise. You can achieve anything in life if you really want to and even if you have not exercised in years, that is no reason not to start. All great journeys start with that first step.

A bad diet, awful sleep patterns and lack of exercise will adversely impact any anxiety disorder. These factors may even be the root causes of the disorder in the first place. Taking on the most minor and modest exercise regime will go a very long way towards perhaps eradicating those root causes, and therefore the disorder itself. Go on, make your decision today, and take that first step.