Anxiety is a very common response characterized by feelings of uneasiness, and people of various ages can experience it in a wide range of circumstances. Sometimes, anxiety can be a normal or even an adaptive response to a given situation. However, it can also become pathological, disrupting a healthy and balanced life.
When Does Anxiety Become Maladaptive?
magine you find yourself parachuting onto an island full of hungry crocodiles. In this case, feeling anxious would be a very appropriate response. This is because anxiety acts as a trigger, alerting us to a higher state of awareness and prompting us to take action to avoid real threats.
However, anxiety becomes pathological or maladaptive when it arises habitually in the absence of actual danger, impairing awareness and appropriate action.
For instance, experiencing debilitating anxiety before an exam would qualify as maladaptive anxiety. Logically, the exam itself is not dangerous, yet the anxiety prevents the individual from functioning at their best.
This form of maladaptive anxiety can arise in specific situations or exist in a generalized way, where feelings of anxiety occur almost constantly at varying degrees of severity.
Generalized anxiety disorder can be diagnosed by a Medical doctor or a Naturopathic doctor
What are the Most Common Symptoms of Anxiety?
Some of the most prominent symptoms of anxiety revolve around feeling nervous, restless, or tense. This includes experiencing panic attacks, having difficulty concentrating, and even exhibiting physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.
However, these symptoms do not translate to significant cellular, tissue, or organ damage, making anxiety an entirely subjective experience.
Who Suffers From Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is very common. In fact, in Canada, the prevalence of anxiety disorders has risen significantly, particularly among young people, especially young women. Between 2012 and 2022, the 12-month prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder doubled from 2.6% to 5.2%.
When it comes to identifying it, both medical and naturopathic doctors can diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. This is done by asking specific questions to fully understand the symptoms being experienced by the patient, reviewing their health history, and ruling out other conditions that can mimic the symptoms of anxiety.
Medical Treatment of Anxiety | Pharmaceutical medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines. |
|---|---|
Naturopathic Treatment of Anxiety | Evidence-based botanicals or nutraceuticals that are safe and effective. |
Naturopathic Doctors can offer many safe and effective options to treat anxiety
Conventional vs. Naturopathic Approach to Treating Anxiety
The conventional medical treatment of anxiety typically involves prescribing pharmaceutical medications to lessen symptoms. These can include drugs like benzodiazepines or antidepressants.
If using such medications, it’s important to get all the information about what the potential side effects can be and if the medication being suggested can create a dependency, as is usually the case with benzodiazepines.
The naturopathic treatment of anxiety, on the other hand, focuses on achieving two primary outcomes:
- Reducing nervous system activation to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
- Addressing the root causes of anxiety to reduce or eliminate its occurrence.
There is a great deal of research evidence supporting the effectiveness of naturopathic treatments for anxiety. To help reduce symptoms, a Naturopathic Doctor might recommend nutraceutical supplements or botanical medicines that have been proven effective, sometimes as effective as commonly prescribed medications.
Plus, the added benefit of evidence-based botanicals or supplements is that they are considered much safer, with far fewer side effects.
The Advantages of Naturopathic Anxiety Treatment
One of the key benefits of seeing a Naturopathic Doctor for anxiety is the length of appointments. For instance, visits with an ND, like Dr. Romi Raina, typically last between 30 to 60 minutes, compared to the average 15-minute appointment with a medical doctor.
This additional time is especially critical when treating mental health concerns like anxiety, as it allows patients to fully discuss the issues and factors contributing to their anxiety.
During these longer appointments, Naturopathic Doctors use the time to explain tools and techniques for addressing the root causes of anxiety. The advantages of seeing a Naturopathic Doctor for anxiety include safe and effective treatments, longer appointment times, and a focus on resolving the underlying causes of anxiety.
So, what’s the holdup? Whether you’re dealing with a bad case of underlying anxiety or would just like to get an overall screening, reach out to us and book an appointment with Dr. Romi Raina today!
