One of my best friend’s is an internist. We will often discuss cases, trying to get ideas about how to help our patients heal.
In the last few years we have talked about how to work with women who come in with different anxiety disorders. We have shared some great ways to reduce symptoms and problems related to anxiety disorders. Today I will share them with you too.
I will start by explaining the difference between having a normal emotion of anxiety and when your emotions of anxiety have turned into an anxiety disorder.
The emotion of anxiety is a normal part of the human emotional experience. It is usually fleeting and will disappear quickly or after a specific event has occurred.
Normally the feeling doesn’t occur on a daily basis. However when your anxious thoughts begin to interfere with sleep, work, or daily activities, you need to seek professional support to rule out an anxiety disorder.
The normal feeling of anxiety can have manifestations of feelings of apprehension and fear. During an intense bout of anxiety it can have physical manifestations such as palpitations, sweating, and feelings of stress.
Common symptoms that are associated with anxiety disorders are a feeling of apprehension or powerlessness, a lingering sense of danger or panic, heart pounding in the chest (increased heart rate), sweating or trembling, or feeling weak.
Generally if you experience the physical symptoms then you are moving out of the normal feeling of anxiety and you are probably having either a single episode of anxiety attack or the beginning of an anxiety disorder.
Getting evaluated by your doctor is an important next step in the process.
Once you and your doctor decide that you are experiencing an anxiety disorder you can begin the healing process by looking at the best treatment for you. There are several treatments for anxiety that can support, reduce or eliminate its challenges.
Generally prescribed medications are anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs and take several weeks to take effect. Psychotherapy or counseling sessions allow patients to talk through stresses and create behavioral changes to reduce or eliminate those stresses.
There are natural processes that are successful too. Two natural therapies that have been successful in changing the neural patterns to reduce anxiety are Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Deep breathing and stress management techniques causes the body and mind to relax by stopping the anxiety chemical cascade in the body.
Believe it or not, nutrition can also reduce anxiety problems. B vitamins have been called the “happy” vitamins and they are used very quickly during times of anxiety or stress. Eating a diet rich in B vitamins or using appropriate supplementation can reduce anxiety symptoms.
When dealing with anxiety, a combination of natural and convention treatments can be the perfect way to reduce or eliminate anxiety symptoms or disorders.
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who lives in Washington DC and practices virtually on the web. Dr. Dae’s role is to help you cultivate actions and activities that support and harvest in your life of healthy patterns for better days.
Sources:
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Sources:
"Anxiety - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May. 2012. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anxiety/DS01187
"Anxiety - Medicinenet.com." MedicineNet.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May. 2012. www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9947
"EMDR Institute, Inc.." EMDR Institute, Inc.. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May. 2012. http://www.emdr.com
What is the Emotional Freedom Technique? Mercola.com. Web. 29 May. 2012.
http://eft.mercola.com
Reviewed May 29, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith