According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most common mental health illness in the United States is anxiety. There are an estimated 40 million individuals in the United States who have anxiety. Although anxiety disorders can be easily treated, only one-third of individuals with anxiety seek treatment.
What is Anxiety?
Those with anxiety will typically feel worried, nervous, or uneasy about any events in their lives that do not have determined outcomes. Although it is a natural response to feel some of these emotions, these feelings can escalate and have an impact on sleeping, eating, or socializing, which is known as an anxiety disorder.
Those with anxiety disorders may display obsessive-compulsive behaviors, develop phobias, and have panic attacks. These individuals may also have problems sleeping and avoid social gatherings. An anxiety disorder will have a direct impact on an individual’s day-to-day functions.
What are the Causes of Anxiety?
There are many causes of anxiety. In many cases, individuals will develop anxiety due to:
- Improper thyroid function
- Poor blood sugar regulation
- Food allergies
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Adverse reactions to caffeine or other drugs
- Poor respiratory function
When a naturopathic doctor examines a patient for the underlying cause of anxiety, he or she may perform comprehensive tests, which include testing cortisol and/or other hormone levels. A naturopathic doctor may also test for urinary neurotransmitters such as serotonin and/or GABA.
Naturopathic Treatments for Anxiety
For those who want to take a natural approach to treat anxiety, a naturopathic doctor can offer a wide range of treatment methods. If you want to know more about naturopathic medicine for anxiety, visit http://www.dramandabrimhall.com/.
With many patients, anxiety is due to a variety of physical imbalances in the body. Furthermore, an individual’s lifestyle habits and genetics could also contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder.
A naturopathic doctor may look at a patient’s eating habits and the amount of stimulants, such as caffeine, a patient consumes to determine which treatment option is best suited for his or her needs.
Cardiovascular activity is also highly recommended for treating anxiety disorders. A patient may also be advised to practice relaxation techniques, yoga, and controlled breathing. Yoga is an ideal way to integrate physical posture, breathing techniques, and meditation into one practice. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, yoga is one of the top 10 practices of alternative medicine.
It may also be advised to use herbal remedies to help bring balance to the body and alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. There are certain supplements, such as L-theanine found in green tea, that effectively aids in the balance of neurotransmitters.
Other naturopathic treatments for anxiety may include bodywork, such as acupuncture, which addresses an overactive nervous system. In many circumstances, patients will notice the benefits of acupuncture therapy immediately following the treatment.
Studies on the Effectiveness of Naturopathic Medicine for Anxiety
According to evidence from several studies, nutritional and herbal supplements are an effective way to treat anxiety and conditions related to anxiety. Another study, known as the Natural Medicine Quality Improvement Project for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety, found the use of naturopathic medicine to treat anxiety was highly effective.