Also indexed as:Nervousness, Panic Attacks
Take control of anxiety and get on with life. Some anxiety is normal—but it shouldn’t interfere with your ability to function. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
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Take control of anxiety and get on with life. Some anxiety is normal—but it shouldn’t interfere with your ability to function. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Aim for better nutrition with a multivitamin
Taking one a day may help reduce anxiety and feelings of stress.
- Try valerian and passion flower
Calm the nervous system by taking an herbal combination of valerian (100 to 200 mg) and passion flower (45 to 90 mg) three times a day.
- Try fish oils
Take 3 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil for anxiety symptoms if you are experiencing substance abuse.
- Talk to your doctor
Ask your healthcare provider about relieving anxiety symptoms with lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and alprazolam (Xanax).
- Get a checkup
See your healthcare provider to make sure your symptoms are not related to a medical problem.
- Address your stress
Reduce stress with meditation, counseling, and other methods.
- Avoid caffeine
If you are anxious, avoid stimulants such as caffeine.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
About This Condition
Anxiety describes any feeling of worry or dread, usually about events that might potentially happen. Some anxiety about stressful events is normal. However, in some people, anxiety interferes with the ability to function.
Some people who think they are anxious may actually be depressed.
Because of all these factors, it is important for people who are anxious to seek expert medical care. Natural
therapies can be one part of the approach to helping relieve mild to moderate anxiety.
Symptoms
Physical symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, insomnia, stomach problems, sweating, racing heart, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and irritability.
Holistic Options
Reducing exposure to stressful situations can help decrease anxiety. In some cases, meditation, counseling, or group therapy can greatly facilitate this process.1
Acupuncture has been the subject of limited research as a therapy for anxiety. In an uncontrolled study, eight patients suffering from anxiety were treated with acupuncture three times per week for eight sessions. Six of the eight patients achieved good to moderate improvement.2 However, a trial of acupuncture treatment for anxiety associated with quitting smoking did not provide any evidence of benefit.3 A double-blind study of acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety associated with dental procedures reported that acupuncture and placebo were equally effective.4 Acupuncture remains unproven in the treatment of people with anxiety.
A form of counseling known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be superior to placebo for managing the symptoms of panic disorder.5 In a controlled trial, six months of CBT produced a response rate of 39.5%, compared to only 13% in the placebo group. When combined with the tricyclic antidepressant drug imipramine (Tofranil®), response rates were even higher (57.1%). For long-term management of panic disorder, imipramine produced a superior quality of response, but CBT had more durability and was better tolerated.
Eating Right
Diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
| Recommendation | Why | Get started |
|---|
| Cut the caffeine | People with anxiety appear to be especially affected by caffeine, so steer clear of all sources, including coffee, tea, chocolate, caffeinated sodas, and caffeine-containing medications. | |
|
| Drug | Common brands | |
|---|
| Venlafaxine | Effexor
Effexor XR
| |
| Alprazolam | Niravam
Xanax
Xanax XR
| |
| Paroxetine | Paxil
Paxil CR
| |
| Clonazepam | Klonopin
Klonopin Wafers
| |
| Fluoxetine | Prozac
Prozac Weekly
Sarafem
| |
| Lorazepam | Ativan
| |
| Buspirone | BuSpar
| |
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.
