Natural Treatment

Just as important as the medications are the non pharmacologic treatment methods for anxiety disorders. Listed below are some of the remedies and natural treatment schemes that you can try to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders.

• Dietary modifications - Certain food and drinks must be avoided in order to keep the symptoms of anxiety disorder under check. Stimulants like caffeine, chocolate and other food that can serve as an upper or stimulant must be avoided in order to minimize the effects.
  Pharmacologic agents like amphetamine and other drugs that have stimulant properties must also be avoided in order to lessen the symptoms
• Lifestyle modifications and exercise - Physical activity like exercise can help in the overall blood circulation and can help relax a person. This can be particularly important especially for a person who has a history of panic attacks. Apart from exercise, proper sleep and rest, the avoidance of alcohol, smoking and other vices can be a great help too.
• This is the treatment of choice for phobias. It involves a systematic process of exposing the person to the feared stimulus in gradual increments, along with a reward for completing each step of the process. This aims to help the person conquer the phobia or irrational fear of a certain object.
• Hypnotherapy -Some people associate their anxiety disorders to a past event that they cannot recall or have buried in the subconscious. Hence, some people resort to hypnotherapy in order to recall these past events and form a resolution about the past conflict. It will serve as an explanation to the whole origin of the anxiety in a person and with that, other steps can be taken as needed.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy - This is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help the person with anxiety disorder to develop more effective coping mechanisms against the underlying problem. From the word itself, we can derive the most important meaning of this form of psychotherapy. Cognitive or cognition refers to the mind. Hence, cognitive behavioral therapy is a set of techniques that aim to change the mindset of a person and replace the irrational thoughts associated with the anxiety disorder.
  Specific techniques under cognitive behavioral therapy are important to note and these include:
  • Positive Reframing - This is the use of positive thoughts, messages or images whenever a person feels anxious. They are often written down and placed in cards or in conspicuous places in order to help remind the person of these positive thoughts.
  • Decatastrophising - A therapist often uses decatastrophising techniques by throwing questions that tend to minimize or realistically assess the situation. This is done in order to let the patient realize that the anxiety provoking object or situation is not as bad or as fearful as they originally see.
  • Thought Stopping or Blocking - In this technique, strategies to distract the person are used whenever negative thoughts or other uncomfortable signs of anxiety occur. Some people advice the use of a rubber band around the finger that you can flick whenever they feel anxious.
  • Assertiveness Training - Some experts believe that anxiety comes out if the person cannot take control over certain life situations. Hence, therapy consists of helping the person become more confident and assert his ideas in order to help some of the symptoms of anxiety.
• Supplements and Natural Remedies - Some people also use herbal remedies particularly kava for the alleviation of anxiety and anxiety related disorders. Before using any herbal supplement, your doctor’s advice is important especially if you are taking other medications that could interact with the herbal supplement. Dietary changes could also be done if you are using these supplements so always use them with caution.