Alternative Methods For Anxiety Disorders Treatment

by bowechaim⁽⁴⁾

For many people who are diagnosed with one of the anxiety disorders, prescription medications may be the first line of treatment. A number of different classes of drugs are used to treat anxiety (antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and beta blockers) and work in different ways. But all of these drugs have a number of potential side effects that in the long run may make the cure worse than the disease for some people. There are alternative methods for your anxiety disorders treatment.

Some of the most common side effects of these medications include nausea, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, headaches, insomnia, drowsiness, sweating, agitation, restlessness, and weight gain. Some drugs are sedatives and can cause dizziness, inability to concentrate, and interference with motor coordination. It is dangerous to drive while taking some of these medications. Some are also highly addictive. Others require patients to adopt highly restrict diets.

Given these unpleasant possibilities, it's not surprising that there is a great deal of interest in alternatives to pharmacological treatments for anxiety.

Indeed, studies have shown that most people who report suffering from anxiety have tried to treat their symptoms with alternative or complementary therapy approaches-many more than have actually sought professional medical and mental health treatment.

The range of alternative treatments that have been identified for anxiety symptoms is extensive. Cognitive feedback techniques include relaxation techniques, imagery, self-help groups, hypnosis, and biofeedback. Physical manipulation is another therapeutic route-from yoga and massage to acupuncture and chiropractic. Herbal, homeopathic and naturopathic supplements are available, and vitamin supplements are sometimes recommended. Many lifestyle-centered therapies have also been tried, including special diets and restrictions, exercise, aromatherapy, weight loss, spiritual healing, energy healing, etc.

Relaxation is one of the most popular therapies, and controlled studies have shown that both relaxation therapy and meditation can help some people manage anxiety. Several studies have supported the use of kava for mild cases of anxiety, though their methodology may be open to criticism. In two trials on the effects of acupuncture, one found positive effects and the other did not.

Almost 90 percent of people who seek psychiatric or medical care for anxiety are also using alternative approaches. This is not surprising when you realize that these, after all, are people who recognize that they need help and are willing to begin seeking it-whether at their natural foods store or the doctor's office. Unfortunately, however, many of these patients fail to inform their doctors about the supplements and alternative treatments they are using. Some herbal supplements have actually been found to increase anxiety rather than reduce it. Even more crucially, patients taking prescription anti-depressants should not also be using the herbal remedy St. John's Wort or other supplements with serotonin-boosting effects, because the treatments can interact and cause serotonin syndrome.

Most of the alternative therapeutic approaches are appealing because they do have some potential to alleviate anxiety and they tend to carry little risk and few side effects. Many who use them report the same level of satisfaction as people using prescription medications. It is, however, important to realize that there are potential dangers in combining drug treatment with certain alternative therapies. In the end, every individual has to decide on the tradeoffs between dealing with anxiety or learning to live with the side effects of their medication.

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Chaim Packer is passionate about helping others with this debilitating condition. For more great information on anxiety disorders treatment, visit http://www.alleviatepanicattacks.com.

Article submitted Tuesday, November 10, 2009 & read 86 times.

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