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Alternative Therapies for Treating Anxiety
Some alternative anxiety treatments have scientific backing; for others, the
evidence is just anecdotal.
By Brian Hoyle
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
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Treating anxiety often involves the use of psychotherapy and
various types of drugs that can ratchet down the chemical behaviors
in the body that drive the anxiety disorder. Treatment for an anxiety
disorder can also include non-traditional therapies that fall under
the heading of complementary and alternative medicine.
Treating Anxiety: Understanding Alternative Medicine
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Complementary and alternative medicine is an umbrella term that
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refers to a wide range of approaches — from nutritional substances
with health effects, like vitamin supplements and omega-3 fatty
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acids, to physical techniques such as acupuncture.
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While some approaches have the muscle of scientific studies behind
them, others remain more anecdotal. They may have merit, but are
hard to evaluate scientifically in the absence of properly conducted
trials. Here are some of the more popular alternative choices for
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treating anxiety.
Herbal Supplements for Anxiety
Studies have indicated that ingestion of preparations of the kava
plant may help reduce anxiety, although Canadian and European
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health agencies have warned of the potential of liver damage from
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kava use.
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St. John’s wort is a plant that may be effective in relieving anxiety
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and depression. However, the National Center for Complementary
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and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) warns that it may negatively
interact with antidepressants, often prescribed for anxiety.
The herbs valerian and chamomile (the staple of that relaxing-onthe-couch herbal tea) are both popular for treating anxiety, but
according to NCCAM, there are no scientific studies supporting their effectiveness.
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This self-help approach is best done in consultation with your doctor, since some natural remedies for
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anxiety disorders might have unwanted side effects if combined with prescribed or over-the-counter
anxiety medications. Also, natural remedies can still be sold without the stringent quality assurance
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precautions that are in place for conventionally produced drugs.
Meditation for Anxiety
The calming effects of meditation are well-known and have been linked anecdotally to easing symptoms
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of anxiety. The nuts-and-bolts scientific demonstration of these benefits is less clear. But the lack of
information need not be a deterrent to use of the approach, since there are no side effects of meditation.
If a treatment like meditation "is proven to be safe, it may sometimes be recommended despite lacking
conclusive evidence of effectiveness with the belief that it is unlikely to hurt but has a potential to help,”
says Amit Sood, MD, director of research for Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Program in Rochester, Minn.
The science for the anti-anxiety benefits of acupuncture is more solid than for other alternative
therapies. Several small-scale studies have demonstrated a “statistically significant effect,” meaning that
the results are not likely due to a chance effect. Plus, the technique has the weight of thousands of years
of use behind it. Acupuncture should performed by a physiotherapist or other health practitioner trained
in acupuncture delivery.
Physical and Lifestyle Approaches
Adopting healthy eating habits and incorporating exercise into the daily routine is always a good idea.
The list of beneficial lifestyle options is long and includes walking, jogging, yoga, biking, swimming,
massage, and dance. Results may be a better mental outlook and less reliance on medications.
“Consider the options when treating stress. You can use a long list of medications to suppress
symptoms, but many of these medications may have serious side effects, and some have hazardous
ones. So it makes sense to consider options such as meditation, massage, and yoga to minimize the risk
of side effects of medicines,” says Dr. Sood.
There are many alternative options, as well as traditional therapies, that can be helpful in treating
anxiety. Just be sure to discuss any anxiety therapy you’re thinking of with your medical team, so that you
aren’t using approaches that could counteract each other.
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