Anxiety

Description

Anxiety is a state of uneasiness characterized by worry, apprehension or fear. It is usually accompanied by physical sensations. Anxiety is a normal reaction to a threat against emotional or physical well-being.

Anxiety becomes problematic when it persists or when it is not readily attributable to a known cause, and interferes with normal daily functioning.

Severe anxiety can take the form of intense physical sensations, accompanied by feelings of panic known as anxiety attacks. Although of short duration, these physical sensations can be quite frightening and tend to compound the uneasiness already experienced by the individual.

Causes

Any conflict situation
Real or perceived physical threat
Real or perceived emotional threat (e.g., rejection)
Stress of modern life
Recent withdrawal from alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Overactive thyroid
Cerebral allergy

Signs & Symptoms

Feeling of uneasiness	Abdominal pain
Restlessness	Dry mouth
Irritability	Trembling
Inability to concentrate	Fast pulse
Insomnia	Weakness
Anorexia	Sweaty palms or face
Frightening dreams	Nausea
Tightness in chest	Diarrhea
Headache	Frequent urination
Pain in back or neck	Uneven voice

Anxiety attack such as:

Racing or pounding chest	Breathlessness
Pupils widely dilated	Choking sensation
Hyperventilation	Dizziness
Fainting	Tremors
Spasms of the cardiac or pyloric portions of the stomach	Intense feeling of apprehension or fear

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function: Nutrients for Brain Support

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General Supplements
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	Adult	Child/Adolescent
Inositol	100 - 300 mg	n/a
Magnesium	100 - 400 mg	n/a
Thiamine	5 - 25 mg	n/a
Vitamin B-2	5 - 25 mg	n/a
Niacin	50 - 200 mg	n/a
Folic acid	400 - 1,000 mcg	n/a
Vitamin B-12	50 - 200 mcg	n/a

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

If anxiety is caused by cerebral allergy, an Elimination Diet or Dietary Goals Diet is recommended.

Niacin deficiency can cause anxiety.

Homeopathic Remedy

1.* Aconitum napellus tinct. - 6X to 15C. 6X for 2 weeks, then 15C
2.* Argentum nitricum tinct. - 15C to 30C
3.* Phosphorus ruber - 15 to 30C
4.* Gelsemium sempervirens - 15C

1.* Arsenicum Album - 30C up to 100M in protracted cases
2. Ignatia amara - 30C
3. Lachesis mutus tinct. - 30X to 30C - high dose only once per week
4.* Kali carbonicum - 15C

Advanced, by symptom:

1. Anticipation e.g. exam - Gelsemium sempervirens

2. Impulsive, compulsive - Argentum nitricum tinct..

3. Panic attacks - Aconitum Napellus tinct..

4. Insecurity - Arsenicum Album.

5. Overwork, relieved by reassurance - Phosphorus ruber.

6. Obsession with work, followed by a sense of defeat and complete failure - Calcarea carbonica

7. Tension/Anxiety - Ichthyolum

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Tissue Salts

Kali Phos.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Bilberry
Ginkgo biloba
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Kava Kava
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
St. John's Wort
Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Discussion:

Bilberry and Ginkgo biloba are not only beneficial for vision and circulation, respectively, they are rich in flavonoids which neutralize the free radicals likely to be produced during stress.

Hops primary use is to calm nerves and induce sleep. For these purposes it is usually combined with other herbal sedatives, i.e., Passion flower, Valerian root, and Skullcap.

Currently a great deal of enthusiasm is being shown for the new Polynesian import, Kava Kava. It has also been combined with Passion Flower. Some authors regard Kava Kava as the first option with Valerian Root, second.

Results supported WS 1490 as a treatment alternative to tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders, with proven long-term efficacy and none of the tolerance problems associated with tricyclics and benzodiazepines. (Volz , 1997)

There is a reported interaction between kava and alprazolam, so mixing herbal with prescription medicines without consultation and deliberation is definitely unwise.

References:

Almeida JC; Grimsley EW: Coma from the health food store: interaction between kava and alprazolam. [letter] Ann Intern Med, 1996 Dec, 125:11, 940-1.

Capasso, A., Pinto, A. Experimental investigations of the synergistic-sedative effect of passiflora and kava. Acta Therapeutica. 21 (2) (1995): 127-140.

Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.

Volz HP & Kieser M: Kava-kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders--a randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial. Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997 Jan, 30:1, 1-5.

Wohlfart, R., R. Haensel & H. Schmidt. An investigation of sedative-hypnotic principles in hops. Part 3. Planta Medica, 45. 224. 1982.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Benzoin Essence,	Chamomile Essence,
Clary Sage Essence,	Geranium Essence,
Jasmine Essence,	Lavender Essence,
Marjoram Essence,	Patchouli Essence,
Rose Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Diarrhea
Headache
Stress
Thyroid disorders

Abstracts

References

Adams, E.J. & L.K. Mahan. 1984. Nutritional care in food allergy and food intolerance. Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy. Krause & Mahan eds.

Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Family Practice Recertification : Do Emotions Affect Memory Function in Elderly Persons? May 1993;150(5):44/The Journal of Psychiatry, 1993;150(3):429.

Hamilton, H. K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.

Heinerman, John, Ph.D. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.

Howe 1981. Basic Nutrition in Health and Disease, Saunders Co., Phila.

Hui, Y. H. 1983. Human nutrition and diet therapy. WadsWorth, Inc; Belmont, California. 1039 pp.

Isselbacher, K.J. and R.D. Adams. 1980. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 9th ed. McGraw Hill Book Company pub, NY. 2073 pp.

Jayasuriya R & Caputi P Computer attitude and computer anxiety in nursing. Validation of an instrument using an Australian sample. Comput Nurs, 1996 Nov-Dec, 14:6, 340-5.

Jonas BS et al., Are symptoms of anxiety and depression risk factors for hypertension? Longitudinal evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Arch Fam Med, 1997 Jan-Feb, 6:1, 43-9.

Kawachi I et al., Prospective study of phobic anxiety and risk of coronary heart disease in men. Circulation, 1994 May, 89:5, 1992-7.

Kolb, C. L. 1977. Modern Clinical Psychiatry, 9th ed. Saunders Pub. Co., Philadelphia. 910 pp.

Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.

Luke, B. 1984. Principles of Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Little, Brown, and Co., Boston. 816 pp.

Machlin, L. The Handbook Of Vitamins. New York: Dekker, 1984.

Margolis, S. 1984. Food allergies. Nutritional Management: The Johns Hopkins Handbook. M. Walser, A.L. Imbembo, S. Margolis and G.A. Elfert, eds. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.

Papp, L. A. and Gorman, J. M.: Urine pH and Panic: A Possible Screening Device. The Lancet, February 10, 1990;335:335.

Pathe M & Mullen PE: The impact of stalkers on their victims. Br J Psychiatry, 1997 Jan, 170:, 12-7.

Robinson, C.H. and M.R.Lawler. 1982. Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition. 16th ed. MacMillan Publ. Company, Inc., New York. 849 pp.

Seelig MS: Consequences of magnesium deficiency on the enhancement of stress reactions; preventive and therapeutic implications (a review). J Am Coll Nutr, 1994 Oct, 13:5, 429-46.

Subak-Sharpe, G. J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub, New York. 607 pp.

Wenk, G. L.: Dietary Factors That Influence the Neural Substrates of Memory. The Vulnerable Brain and Environmental Risks, Volume I: Malnutrition and Hazard Assessment, Plenum Press, New York, 1992; Chapter 3;67-74.