Over sixty-five million Americans and some untold number of people worldwide suffer yearly from anxiety, chronic stress, and worry, and related insomnia as the result of a high-pressure job, relationships, financial problems, loneliness, crowds, traffic jams, travel, high places, closed in places, etc. Feelings of Anxiety may include alarm, anguish, dread, anger, fear, horror, panic, and terror and range from very mild to intense and ongoing. Because of the complexity of today's world stress is experienced by everyone at one time or another and can provoke or worsen overeating, alcoholism, premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and may be a contributing factor in the development of other ailments and conditions.

Scientific research suggests that anxiety is the result of biochemical imbalance in the brains alarm center, the amygdala, and a psychological imbalance in thinking that in combination cause an exaggerated and persistent stress response. For some time, the only option for many has been prescription anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills, but some of the potential side effects of these drugs include impaired memory, loss of concentration, poor quality of sleep, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms. Remarkably safe, highly effective herbal medicines are found to be beneficial for the treatment of "mild to moderate" anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

 

Types of Anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent anxiety and worry for at least six months, characterized by restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbance, or difficulty concentrating.
• Panic Attack / Anxiety Attack: A sudden experience of apprehension or terror, often with a fear of going crazy, losing control, or impending doom causing heart palpitations, shortness of breath, choking, smothering sensations, chest pain, or light-headedness.
• Phobias: Persistent unreasonable fear that is triggered by intense, unfounded, and enduring fear of a specific object or activity.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Recurrent obsessions such as intrusive, persistent thoughts, images, impulses, or compulsions, such as repetitive behaviors.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The experience or witnessing of events causing profound emotional trauma.
• Hypochondriasis: Unwarranted fear of having a serious disease.
• Dysmorphophobia: Persistent fear of being ugly so person is affixed on bodily appearance.

What can be done?

Lifestyle Changes
May benefit from social changes - including stop drinking, stop smoking, and increasing exercise. Meditation and prayer to focus the mind away from obsessive thought patterns.

Important Supplements
According to the "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" nutritional deficiencies and appropriate supplementation may include:

1. Calcium / Magnesium Deficiency: Calcium - Magnesium complex - Calcium is a natural mild tranquilizer while magnesium is know as an anti anxiety mineral - best taken in combination.
2. Iron Deficiency - increases risk of panic attacks. Iron supplement or as part a multi vitamin / mineral supplement.
3. Vitamin B Complex / extra B1(thiamine)- Stress reducer and maintains normal nervous function.
4. Niacinamide (NOT Niacin) - Important in the production of certain Brain chemicals.
5. Vitamin C, - vital antioxidant and stress reducer in large doses.
6. VItamin E, - Supports oxygen flow to the brain cells
7. Zinc, calming affect on the central nervous system
8. S-adenosylmethionine (Sam-e) - Important physiological agent involved in biochemical reactions in the body, a natural antidepressant and has a calming effect.(not to be used if manic depressive or take prescription anti-depressants.
9. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - Necessary for proper brain function and combined with inositol has a tranquilizing effect. My also notice less obsessive thinking by increasing GABA levels (or L- theanine) which assists in natural GABA production.
10. Essential Fatty Acids - important for brain function and brain development.

 

 

Homeopathy Remedies for Anxiety

 

Pulsatilla : Feel insecurity and clinginess, with a need for constant support and comforting. They fear being alone. They are easily discouraged, moody, tearful, whiny, even emotionally childish. Getting too warm or being in a stuffy room often increases anxiety. Anxiety around the time of hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual periods, or menopause) often is helped with Pulsatilla.

Arsenicum  album: Deeply anxious about their health, and extremely concerned with order and security. Panic attacks often occur around midnight or the very early hours of the morning.

Kali Phosphoricum Person been exhausted by overwork or illness. Feels a deep anxiety and inability to cope. Jumpy and oversensitive. May be startled by ordinary sounds. Hearing unpleasant news or thinking of world events can aggravate the problems. Insomnia and an inability to concentrate may develop, increasing the sense of nervous dread. Eating, warmth, and rest often bring relief.

Aconite: If anxiety is the result of a sudden fright or shock with palpitation of heart. Should be tried first for a sudden anxiety attack. 

Gelsemium: Stage fright and other anticipatory and performance anxiety, particularly if accompanied by diarrhea.

Argentum  nitricum: when anxiety develops before a big event. (e.g. interview for job, an exam, a public speech etc.).

Lycopodium: Patients attempt to cover an inner sense of inadequacy by putting up fronts, by pretending to be something they are not. They feel anxiety from mental stress and suffer from a lack of confidence. They can be self-conscious and feel intimidated by people they perceive as powerful. They  feel a deep anxiety and fear of failure, when they take on responsibility. They usually do well, once started on a task.

Phosphorus Person is openhearted, imaginative, excitable, easily startled, and full of intense and vivid fears. Strong anxiety can be easily triggered just by thinking of almost anything. They are nervous and sensitive to others. They can overextend themselves with sympathy to the point of feeling exhausted and "spaced out" or even getting ill. They need a lot of company and reassurance.  Easy flushing of the face, palpitations, thirst, and a strong desire for cold and refreshing foods.

Silicia: For capable and serious, yet also nervous, shy people and subject to bouts of temporary loss of confidence. Anxiety can be extreme when they are faced with a public appearance, interview, examination, or any new job or task. Worry and overwork can bring on headaches, difficulty concentrating, and states of exhaustion, oversensitivity, and dread.