Anxious Moments
Relax with these effective natural calmers.
November/December 2004
By Kim Erickson
Ever get the feeling that instead of the Age of Aquarius, we live in the Age of Anxiety? You worry about the kids, the job, the relationship and how you’re going to pay the bills. Those concerns may be uniquely your own, but all of us have anxious moments that can displace our sense of calm. For an estimated 19 million Americans, however, anxiety can overtake daily life. For those who suffer from an anxiety disorder, feelings of worry, fear and even panic are constant companions. This continual state of emotional and physical turmoil prevents sufferers from living a happy, rewarding life.
RELATED CONTENT
Hemeopathic healing is a unique approach that packs powerful remedies into minute doses....
Catnip, passionflower and chamomile are some of the most effective herbal remedies for anxiety....
Extracts and teas of reishi are particularly effective for relieving symptoms of nervousness, anxie...
When panic attacks or everyday worries tie you in knots, natural remedies can help you loosen up an...
Make these natural homemade cleaners and replace toxic cleaning ingredients with fresh, cleaning he...
The Faces of Anxiety
When it comes to anxiety, one size doesn’t fit all. Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — a disorder that can affect people who have experienced war, natural disasters or other traumatic situations — may be the most severe form of anxiety, other types of anxiety can be just as life-disrupting. Obsessive behavior, phobias and panic attacks can leave sufferers feeling that they have no control over their lives.
Perhaps the most insidious form of anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD live in a state of constant tension and exaggerated worry over life’s everyday activities. Instead of counting their blessings, they focus on life’s “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. As a result, these anxious feelings feed on themselves and can lead to headaches, irritability, fatigue, restlessness, concentration problems and gastrointestinal upset.
While no one has a firm handle on exactly what causes anxiety disorders, most researchers suspect imbalances in three brain chemicals — norepinephrine, serotonin and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA).
Normally, stress triggers a spike in norepinephrine, causing the fight-or-flight response. While norepinephrine is a critical neurotransmitter that prepares the body’s response to stress, too much of it can bring on a panic attack.
Along with helping to regulate sleep, appetite and body temperature, serotonin also controls mood. Low levels of this chemical can lead to phobias and obsessive-compulsive behavior.
GABA is a natural calming agent, and low levels in the brain can allow thoughts and worries to run full-throttle day in and day out. Experts believe generalized anxiety disorder may result from a GABA deficiency.
Conventional medicine is often short-sighted when it comes to treating anxiety. Biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy can be very effective, but most doctors rely on anti-anxiety drugs, tranquilizers and antidepressants to tame symptoms. While these and other medications may offer relief to anxiety sufferers, their use can exact a hefty price. Potential side effects include drowsiness, decreased mental sharpness, nausea, tremors, disturbed sleep patterns, sexual problems and increased agitation. If you suffer from mild to moderate anxiety, you may be able to forego prescription drugs and find help with natural solutions.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Next >>