YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Each year 65 millions of Americans suffer from symptoms of anxiety. 35 million have mild to moderate anxiety. Three out of four people with anxiety disorders are not correctly diagnosed. Less than 25% receive adequate help. That means 8 million people suffer unnecessarily from a treatable condition.
Make sure your health care provider has ruled out any other possibility for your anxiety. Countless people get treatment for anxiety, but it actually can be an underlying medical condition. Such conditions would include endocrine disorders-thyroid (hyper and hypo thyroidism), adrenal dysfunction, Cushing’s disease, and depression/ bipolar. A number of people seek treatment only in their ‘down time’, and several people who have depression have anxiety as well. Medicines that you presently are taking can cause symptoms of anxiety. People with heart troubles have been misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders. A big one for women is menopause. Many women who are actually starting to go through menopause (perimenopause) are actually misdiagnosed as having anxiety.
Those who suffer from anxiety turn to prescription medications to alleviate their condition. The problem is that no little pill will make your anxiety disappear. It will only cover up the symptoms, and the true problem will not go away.
There are several different types of anxiety. If you are just anxious about a test, or an argument with your spouse, it will pass and medication is not needed. General Anxiety Disorder or GAD is characterized by chronic worry. You worry all the time, even if the situation does not warrant it. It could be a learned behavior or it could also be a deep-rooted problem that you aren’t even aware exists. Medication alone will not help. You must learn to change the way you think, and should seek out a counselor or qualified professional to help you.
No matter what type of anxiety you have prescription medication is not the only route you have to take.
There are herbs you can take if you would rather not take a prescription medication. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is used due to its restorative properties. It encourages rest and relaxation. It is good for the debility that accompanies long-term stress on the body. It would most likely be used in combination with other herbs.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a relaxing tonic for anxiety. It quiets a racing heart and reduces feelings of panic and nervousness. It is used as a relaxant. It can also be used for digestive disorders due to anxiety.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a good remedy for anxiety, irritability and tension. It has a gentle sedative action producing a relaxing effect and reducing nervous activity and panic. Passionflower is used as a tranquilizer and is not addictive. It calms an overactive mind and is good for insomnia and disturbed sleep.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is used as a tonic and restorative for the nervous system. It has a “life enhancing and stimulating effect on body and the mind. It is usually used when anxiety and depression are present together.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is often used as a nerve tonic because it supports and nourishes the nervous system. It calms and relieves anxiety and is used for when stress and anxiety cause muscular tension. It is often used for people who suffer from panic attacks. Skullcap is most often combined with other herbs. Last but not least is
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian is natures Valium, but does not have the sedative effect on the mind that often occurs with Valium. It has a calming rather than sedative effect. It reduces mental over activity and is a good choice for people who find it hard to “turn off the mind switch”. It can relieve symptoms of anxiety including tremors, panic, palpitations, and sweating. It is also good for over contracted muscles that are caused by stress like in the shoulder and neck area.
Other natural ways to combat anxiety would be to use Bach Flower Remedies. Bach Flower Remedies adjusts personal characteristic traits that are causing emotional states, blockages, pain etc. Each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr. Bach is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state. To select the remedies you need, think about the sort of person you are and the way you are feeling right now. Then take the remedies you need. You may take up to 7 at a time. Less is better.
Aromatherapy can help alleviate anxiety and stress using scents from plants and herbs. Aromatherapy can alter moods and feelings within minutes of smelling a certain scent. Rose and lavender are the ones most used for anxiety, but others could include ylang ylang, sandalwood, citrus, peppermint.
This article is not meant to diagnose or treat any ailment. The information provided is not meant for a substitute for medical care. It is meant for information purposes only.
No comments:
Post a Comment