|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Applying Integrative Medicine to Anxiety.
The Source of Wellness Starts Here...
What is Anxiety?
Everyone has temporary feelings of anxiety or worry from time to time. However, you may have an anxiety disorder if persistent worry and anxiety interferes with your life.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is where you have excessive anxiety most days. If your anxiety makes you feel ill and tired, and affects your day to day life, you probably have GAD. GAD is a long-term illness that can last for many years before it is diagnosed. GAD affects about 1 in 50 people at some time in their life. It is often present with another mental illness such as depression or panic disorder.
Symptoms
The main symptom of anxiety is persistent worrying. The individual may be unable to stop or control these feelings.
Psychological Symptoms:
* Restlessness and difficulty relaxing
* Feeling tired most of the time
* Finding it difficult to concentrate on any one task and a tendency for the mind to go "blank"
* Feeling irritable most of the time
* Muscle tension/muscle pain. The tension may also make you feel shaky or week in the knees.
* Poor sleep
Physical Symptoms:
* Headaches
* Joint pain
* Feeling breathless
* Tightness in chest
* sweating
* flushing
* stomach pains/diarrhea
Social Symptoms:
* Not performing well at work
* Taking part in fewer social activities
If you think you have GAD, you should consult with a licensed physician. Regardless of the underlying cause of the anxiety, it's important to know that drugs are a very common treatment approach used in our society. Unfortunately, withdrawal from certain medicines such as benzodiazepines may cause irritability, nausea, brain fog, shakiness, and other symptoms which mean if you stop taking them, the problems come back.
I see this far too frequently in pharmacy practice which is why we are here to offer you nutritional supplements as a supplement to the drugs. Over time, we hope you can work with your doctor to taper off the drugs. Of all the classes of medications, I find that benzodiazepines are the most difficult to taper off of. They have to be withdrawn very slowly. Side effects of withdrawal may include anxiety, panic attacks, visual disturbances, and trouble sleeping.
If you find yourself having any of these symptoms and you are wondering what is wrong with you, I will tell you right now, it is not you, it is the drug. With help for tapering, you may go to www.theroadback.org. Always consult with your physician.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Lifestyle Modifications - Transcendental Meditation
How Does It Work in Relation to Anxiety
Transcendental Meditation allows the stresses and worries of the busy mind to be released. The process of meditation allows the overall stress level to gradually decline leading to less worrying. Less worry translates to less anxiety.
I practice TM twice daily and am amazed by its miraculous ability to calm the mind and keep the mood elevated. The transcendental meditation practice is easy to learn, an enjoyable practice, and it enriches all areas of life. There are more than 600 studies documenting the benefits of the TM program. Go to www.tm.org for more information on how to formally learn the transcendental meditation technique. For another approach to centering and calming the mind, go to www.centerpointe.com for a free demo CD.
The Integrative Pharmacists Recommends The Following Products:
|
|
For Help With Tapering off Anxiety Medication go to www.theroadback.org
How does it work
The whey protein and organic green barley grown actually help to increase the levels of glutathione, a critical antioxidant in the brain. Glutathione helps to calm and clear the mind which is why this product should be used for anyone who goes to see their doctor for help with calming the nerves. Drugs used to relieve anxiety have addictive properties and can also be difficult to taper off. Approaching a problem from various angles is always the best way. In fact it is the only way for me. The over-burdened health care system will thank you for being proactive.
|
|
|
|
