Anxiety, Depression

Natural Treatments for Anxiety

If you find yourself worrying uncontrollably about everyday tasks or if you are constantly and excessively anxious about issues like family health, finances or your job, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. While everybody experiences anxiety occasionally, people who suffer from G.A.D. experience it so excessively that it can interfere with their ability to perform ordinary tasks.

In order for the condition to be diagnosed, you must have suffered from these symptoms for at least six consecutive months. And if you are in fact suffering from G.A.D., you may find physical relief in certain Natural Remedies.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder should be treated by a mental health professional, and treatment is usually multifaceted and tailored toward each individual, especially since the condition is often accompanied by depression or substance abuse. Most professionals recommend behavioral or cognitive therapy, or a combination of both of them, along with relaxation techniques, as an essential part of treatment.

Some also recommend prescription anxiety medications, which can be effective in alleviating many symptoms. But increasingly, doctors and patients are finding that Natural Treatments for Anxiety can provide much of the same relief as prescription medication, but without the potentially alarming side effects.

When combined with relaxation exercises, Kava Kava (or piper methysticum) is an excellent anxiety remedy that can also be used to promote sleep (Insomnia is a common symptom of G.A.D.) if taken in a higher dosage. It should not be used as a sleep aid for longer than four months.

Valerian is a Natural Remedy for anxiety and Insomnia that is extremely popular worldwide. It is also used as a natural sedative and painkiller, and when taken at bedtime it can help prevent Panic Attacks.

Passion flower is an ingredient that can successfully treat Insomnia, hyperactivity and nervous Tension. Passion flower is naturally soothing and calming, and can also be used to treat Hypertension and lower blood pressure.

Lavender is a popular Natural Remedy for a variety of conditions, one of which is Anxiety Disorder. Lavender is a nervous system tonic and one of the best natural Panic Attack Treatments.

If you are already taking prescription medication and decide to stop in favor of Natural Remedies, it should always be in consultation with a healthcare professional. Natural Remedies can provide a safe and effective alternative to other medications, but as with all medicine, it can take time to find the correct dosage for each individual, and it might take a few weeks before you see the effects. With patience and resolve, you may find yourself on the rewarding path to finding natural Anxiety Relief.

Author: Tess Thompson

Is Taking Prescription Medication for Anxiety the Best Option?

Here is the good news about anxiety disorders: They are treatable. There are a variety of treatments for anxiety, including behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques and medication. But the question more and more patients are posing to their doctors is: Is prescription medication the best treatment option?

Anxiety is complicated to diagnose because it is often found to be a symptom of other medical conditions or a side effect of other behaviors. For example, some people react to too much caffeine by exhibiting symptoms of Anxiety Disorders, including, occasionally, Panic Attacks. Other conditions that can be accompanied by anxiety are Hypoglycemia, Hyperthyroid, Insomnia, Premenstrual Syndrome and, most often, depression.

When a patient who is suffering from depression is also suffering from Anxiety Disorder, doctors can often see it as a good sign. In general, it means that the person has not accepted or given in to their depressed condition, and is anxious about it.

To alleviate the anxiety, doctors can recommend different types of therapy, each of which can work equally well. Most doctors recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps the patient first to identify the cause of his anxiety, talks him through it, and then slowly and carefully exposes him to situations which make him feel anxious and teaches him how to cope.

In addition to therapy and learned relaxation techniques, doctors will sometimes recommend prescription medication for anxiety — most often benzodiazepines like Xanax. These medications should not be taken for more than a few months at a time and should not be relied upon as a permanent treatment option. They can be highly addictive and can also produce disturbing side effects, which makes many examine them closely before agreeing to try them.

In many cases, anxiety can be treated without any medication at all. In cases where medication is recommended, there are also natural treatment options for those who are reluctant to begin a regimen that includes prescription medications.

If you decide to pursue this route to Anxiety Relief, look for remedies that include ingredients like passion flower, which is also used to alleviate Hypertension, Insomnia and nervous Tension. Other effective ingredients are Lavender, which is one of the most popular Panic Attack Treatments, and Lemon Balm, a natural anxiety treatment that also serves as a general tonic for the nervous system.

Whichever methods you employ, remember that there are many effective methods of treatment for anxiety and depression, and that patience and persistence will eventually lead you the healthy option that is best for you.

Author: Tess Thompson

Stress Management Tip - Progressive Relaxation

Negative thoughts and feelings can significantly contribute to the Tension we experience in our bodies. Most of the time we are unaware of the Tension in our bodies until it manifests as a physical condition such as muscle tightness in the body, Headaches and even stomach ulcers. Progressive relaxation serves as a great way relax the body at the first sign of Tension.

Progressive relaxation involves systematically tensing and relaxing various groups of muscles in an orderly sequence. By regularly practicing this technique, you can train yourself to recognize the feelings associated with tensed and relaxed muscles. Recognizing the Tension or stress in your body at an early stage gives you the opportunity to stop it before it becomes a major physical problem.

When performing the progressive relaxation technique it important to follow the following guide lines

• Do this technique in a quiet room where no one can interrupt you
• Sit on a comfortable chair, couch, recliner or lie on a bed
• Allocate around 10-15 minutes every day as your scheduled time for this technique
• Note the sensations you experience tensing and relaxing the various muscle groups

Start off by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths for one minute. Then start progressive tensing and relaxing the various muscle groups. The sequence of muscles varies slightly depending on how much time you have however the general order is as follows:

• Toes
• Knees
• Entire right leg
• Entire left leg
• Right hand
• Right forearm and hand
• Entire right arm
• Left hand
• Left forearm and hand
• Entire left arm
• Abdomen
• Chest
• Neck and shoulders
• Face

At the end you should be feeling quite relaxed. Keep your eyes closed and breathe in deeply. Slowly start moving your fingers and wriggling your toes. Breathe in deeply again and stretch gently. Then breathe in deeply one more time and open your eyes.

NOTE: because this technique involves deliberate tensing of muscles, it is important to check with your physician if you have any medical history of muscle problems.

Author: David Tomaselli is the creator of the Wholistic Development Exchange.

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