Relaxation is the cornerstone of treatment for anxiety and whether you choose to use a relaxation tape or have a few sessions with a therapist, that time would be an investment for the rest of your life. Although tranquillizers can reduce anxiety within a matter of 20 minutes and can be very useful in the short term or when a specific event is causing the problem, there are generally better ways to deal with it. Tranquillizers when used inappropriately can reduce your performance, make you sleepy and are also habit-forming. Yoga, which balances mind, body and spirit, will help you, as will breathing exercises.

Complementary Therapies

Massage and aromatherapy are extremely useful here. Chamomile oil calms, soothes and induces relaxation while reducing anger and stress. Geranium calms and creates a feeling of inner balance. Jasmine is emotionally soothing and lifts depression while sandalwood relieves nervous tension and is a gentle sedative promoting a sense of wellbeing. Ylang-Ylang helps soothe anger, is relaxing and sedative, calming nerves, relieving stress and promoting sleep. Lavender is not only soothing, but also potentiates the qualities of all the aforementioned oils when it is used in conjunction with them.

Hypnosis is often of great benefit to those suffering from anxiety, but do ask your therapist to teach you to do self-hypnosis so that you can carry on the treatment at home and use it as an aid to help you sleep as well as deal with difficult situations. During panic attacks, dizziness is caused by breathing out too much carbon dioxide. Rebreathing from a paper bag will settle the dizziness very quickly as you breathe in your own exhaled air and re-establish the level of carbon dioxide in your blood.

Phobias can often (but not always) be traced back to some traumatic event and the recovery of that memory can be very helpful in systematically desensitizing the person. Your therapist may help you relive the frightening situation in your mind again and again until you can do so with little or no anxiety. Eventually you will be exposed to the real situation, but not until you are ready to do so.

Aromatherapy has an array of oils that could help. For phobias try lavender oil; sandalwood or marjoram will reduce the fear. Panic attacks may respond to lavender. Homeopathic remedies that you may like to try include Aconite for fear of dying and Ignatia where you find yourself with a changeable mood and gasping for breath. Bach Flower Remedies offer Aspen, Rock rose and Rescue Remedy for fear and panic. Red chestnut is good for fear, especially if it involves the possible loss of loved ones. However, for the best results, have a consultation with a therapist who will prescribe for you. Australian Bush Essences are similarly effective. Hypnotherapy, reflexology, acupressure, biofeedback and autogenic training are all useful.

Nutritional Healing

It’s important to cut down on artificial stimulants including drinks and food containing caffeine (coffee, tea, canned fizzy drinks, and chocolate) as well as refined sugars which cause a surge of blood glucose with a later slump. Drinks sweetened with aspartame can result in anxiety and even panic if you drink too much of them. Alcohol can also cause anxiety even though it may have an initial sedating action. Try keeping a food diary to see if there are any foodstuffs that result in an increase in anxiety. Adding 2-6 tablespoonful’s of flax seed (linseed) oil to your diet each day can have quite amazing effects upon anxiety including long-term panic and agoraphobia.

Herb teas, of which kava is perhaps the most useful, include chamomile, hops, passion flower and skullcap. Kava tea, either hot or iced, perhaps flavored with some lemon or orange juice, has a calming action and can even promote sleep. Although it is non-addictive, long-term use appears to cause dry skin and excessive amounts can cause a kind of intoxication. Valerian, also non-addictive, can help reduce anxiety and promote natural sleep; however, don’t use it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or with prescribed anxiety medication. Unfortunately it smells awful!

Orthomolecular Medicine

Two pioneering psychiatrists started to treat schizophrenia many years ago with Vitamin B3. The method now offers hope of conquering phobias as well as other chronic mental and physical disorders and behavioral conditions. There are claims that it can help alleviate depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AMID) and autism.

The process involves careful laboratory testing for nutrients and toxins, hormones, brain chemicals. etc., food allergies, candidiasis. Metals, trace mineral deficiencies, amino acids and vitamins as well as hypoglycemia and adrenal insufficiency.

The Outlool

Patients with anxieties and phobias may always remain natural worriers who are prone to being cautious and tense at certain times. But with ongoing support and a commitment to relaxation techniques they can all learn to live with their strong responses to stress.

Image source by http://en.wikipedia.org
About the author: Ann Marie is a psychotherapist who writes about therapy issues on her website.