Panic Anxiety Disorders - Do the Alternative Therapies Help?

In recent years people suffering from anxiety haveSuch approaches work to make you feel better as a
increasingly sought a variety of alternative therapies,whole, rather than relieving a specific problem such as
approaches other than the two mainstreampanic attacks, obsessions or a fear of driving far from
treatments offered by most professionals:home.
cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication.Their effect on anxiety symptoms is thus beneficial but
The desire to explore alternative approaches reflectsindirect. Certainly if you feel better overall, you're less
a general trend both in the mental health field as welllikely to be vulnerable to anxiety or depression
as in medicine. Recent surveys have found that aboutsymptoms. But you're also less likely to be bothered by
40 percent of the adult population in the United Statesany other stress-related symptoms, whether migraines,
seeks out the assistance of alternative healthulcers, low back pain, insomnia, or irritability.
practitioners, often paying out of pocket, to address aWellness involves multiple levels of your total being. If
variety of medical and health issues.you feel more healthy and well in general, you're not as
Reasons for the move to alternative therapies arelikely to harbor the negative, fearful thoughts that
varied. For people suffering from anxiety disorders,instigate anxiety. You're also less likely to hold the
dissatisfaction with conventional treatments, particularlybodily tension and breathing restriction that can
the side effects of prescription medications, oftenaggravate anxiety. It's possible that even your brain
leads to an exploration of approaches such as herbs,neurotransmitters come into a better balance,
acupuncture, yoga, or massage.improving your mood.
There seems to be a desire to try natural approachesIn general, you feel more confident and content with
first before becoming dependent on medication. Inyourself and your life. Alternative therapies work to
addition, many people wish to take responsibility forhelp you feel better as a whole person. That's why
their own recovery rather than relying on professionalsthey are often referred to as "holistic." As such, they
who are often high priced, inadequately covered bycan definitely have a beneficial effect on anxiety and
managed care health plans, and sometimes notdepression, along with everything else.
particularly empathic or understanding of their clients'There is no precise formula for determining which of
needs.the many alternative therapies might be helpful for you.
A large segment of the population seems to haveIn reading through this article, listen to your intuition in
decided that the time has come to take personaldeciding which particular approaches you feel drawn
responsibility for their health and well-being, entrustingto try. Some trial and error is probably inevitable in the
their doctors only with care in emergencies or severeprocess of exploring those methods that ultimately turn
illness.out to be most effective for your particular situation.
How well do alternative therapies work? Are theyHerbs and Supplements:
effective in helping people to overcome anxietyHerbs plant-based medicines have been an integral
disorders? Some alternative approaches, certain herbspart of health care for thousands of years. In fact,
and acupuncture, for example, appear to have direct,about 25 percent of present-day prescription
demonstrable effects on reducing anxiety symptomsmedications are still based on herbs. Pharmaceutical
or the depression that accompanies anxiety disorderscompanies, however, are not very interested in herbs,
in about 50 percent of cases.because the plants from which they are derived
Such approaches are most helpful to persons whosecannot be patented and sold exclusively by any one
anxiety and/or depression is in the mild to moderatecompany for profit.
range. "Mild to moderate" means your symptoms areHerbal treatments have been very popular in Europe
a nuisance, probably an inconvenience, and may causeand recently have gained increasing public interest in
you a certain level of discomfort. However, they arethe United States. Most drug stores now offer an
not disabling.assortment of herbs that can treat conditions ranging
They don't prevent you from working, managing thefrom colds to poor memory.
routines of daily living, or maintaining relatively satisfyingHerbs tend to work more slowly and gently than
relationships with loved ones. And they do not causeprescription drugs. If you're used to the rapid and
you severe distress, a feeling of being frightened orintense effects of a drug like Xanax, you need to be
overwhelmed, more than half of your waking hours.patient with the milder effect of a relaxing herb such
When anxiety phobia interferes with your ability toas valerian or kava.
function and causes you significant levels of distress, itThe principal advantage of herbs is that they work
may be said to fall in the moderate to severe range.naturally, in harmony with your body, rather than
Such anxiety may be helped by alternativeimposing a specific biochemical change, as in the case
approaches, but is best treated by a combination ofof drugs. Unlike medications, herbs generally have few
well-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy andor no side effects. Nor are they physically addictive,
medication.although you could become psychologically dependent
The primary value of alternative therapies is their abilityon one that brings you consistent benefit.
to improve your overall level of health and well-being.