Anxiety, GAD, Panic Disorder, PTSD, Nervousness in Ottawa ON

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. While some people suffer some form of anxiety occasionally, others cannot manage this natural response to a stressful situation. When a person experiences a highly stressful or threatening scenario, the mind can be overloaded and fail to develop ways of coping. Contact our Ottawa chiropractic clinic today to learn more.

Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, fear, and apprehension. Anxiety can be mild and manageable, or so severe that it can control a person’s daily life. Anxiety is marked by many symptoms including stress, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nervousness, worry, and often a dramatic limitation in lifestyle. The symptoms may push those affected away from their normal activities.

Some people have anxiety and live with anxiety, and some are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

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What Causes Anxiety?

There are a variety of causes of anxiety, and all have different treatment approaches. A person’s personality, history, behavior, and thinking style can cause them to be more susceptible to anxiety. Biochemical factors such as hormone imbalances and chemical imbalances in the brain also have been shown to increase a person’s anxiety. Research has shown that there can even be a genetic/hereditary component.

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What Are Anxiety Disorders?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each characterized by specific symptoms and triggers. Here are six common types of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with GAD experience excessive worry and anxiety about everyday events or activities, even if there is no apparent reason for concern. This anxiety can be persistent and challenging to control, often interfering with daily life.
2. Panic Disorder: Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks characterized by intense fear and physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. Individuals with panic disorder may also develop anticipatory anxiety about having future panic attacks.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Individuals with social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear in social situations. They may be afraid of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in front of others. This fear can lead to avoidance of social interactions.
4. Specific Phobia: Specific phobia involves an intense and irrational fear of a particular object or situation, such as heights, spiders, flying, or needles. Fear can lead to avoidance behavior and significant distress when confronted with phobic stimulus.
5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed in response to these thoughts. These rituals are aimed at reducing anxiety but often become time-consuming and disruptive.
6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, or accidents. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma.

It's important to note that anxiety disorders can vary in severity, and individuals may experience a combination of symptoms from different types of anxiety disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of an anxiety disorder, it's essential to seek help from a mental health professional. Effective treatments, such as therapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) and sometimes medication, can help manage and reduce the impact of anxiety disorders on daily life.

Some people do take medications for their anxiety disorder. However, some medications may not help enough or have some major side effects. There are a variety of treatments available to help those with anxiety that are safe, if your medication isn’t enough, or you prefer to avoid medications.

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What Are Some At-Home Solutions For Anxiety

While medication can be helpful for some individuals, many people prefer to explore natural and lifestyle-based approaches to manage and reduce anxiety.

Some people can manage their anxiety and panic attacks on their own without the help of health professionals, and some do benefit from treatment with health professionals. Here are some strategies to manage anxiety naturally on your own:

1. Regular Exercise: Physical activity can significantly reduce anxiety by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
2. Balanced Diet: Proper nutrition is crucial for mental health. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can exacerbate anxiety.
3. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can increase anxiety. Limit or avoid these substances if you notice they trigger or worsen your anxiety symptoms.
4. Adequate Sleep: Lack of sleep can contribute to anxiety. Establish a regular sleep schedule and practice good sleep hygiene to ensure you get enough rest.
5. Stress Management: Learning to manage stress can help reduce anxiety. Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can be effective.
6. Social Support: Maintain a strong support system. Talking to friends and loved ones about your feelings can provide comfort and perspective.
7. Time Management: Effective time management can reduce stress and anxiety. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and prioritize them.
8. Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine, such as yoga, tai chi, or taking warm baths.
9. Relaxing Therapies: Incorporate massage or Zen acupuncture into your regular self-care routine.
10. Herbal Remedies: Some herbal supplements, like valerian root, lavender, and chamomile, have been used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedies, as they may interact with other medications.
11. Lifestyle Changes: Evaluate your daily routine and adjust as needed. Sometimes, simplifying your life, setting boundaries, or changing your environment can alleviate stress and anxiety.
12. Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness practices involve staying present and non-judgmentally aware of your thoughts and feelings. Meditation can help you develop these skills, which can be useful in managing anxiety.
13. Hobbies and Distractions: Engaging in enjoyable activities and hobbies can provide a healthy distraction from anxious thoughts and improve your overall well-being.

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What If I Need More Help With My Anxiety?

Many anxiety sufferers benefit from Acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, and many people find it helpful in managing anxiety and stress. Here are several ways in which acupuncture may be thought to help with anxiety disorders:

• Balancing Energy Flow (Qi): According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture aims to balance the flow of energy, or Qi, through the body's meridians. It is believed that imbalances in Qi can lead to physical and emotional issues, including anxiety. Acupuncture seeks to restore this balance.
• Endorphin Release: Acupuncture may stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and mood enhancers. This can lead to feelings of relaxation and improved mood, which can be beneficial for managing anxiety.
• Stress Reduction: Acupuncture sessions are typically performed in a calm and soothing environment, which can promote relaxation. The act of lying down quietly during treatment can also contribute to stress reduction.
• Regulation of Neurotransmitters: Some studies suggest that acupuncture may influence the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in mood regulation. By modulating these neurotransmitters, acupuncture could potentially help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
• Reduction of Muscle Tension: Anxiety often leads to muscle tension and physical discomfort. Acupuncture's ability to relax muscles and relieve tension can be beneficial in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety.
• Enhancing Sleep: Improved sleep quality is essential for managing anxiety, and acupuncture may help promote better sleep patterns by addressing factors such as insomnia and restlessness.

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Acupuncture For Anxiety, PTSD, & Panic Disorders

Acupuncture requires individualized treatment. Acupuncture is often tailored to the individual's specific symptoms and needs. Acupuncturists may consider the person's overall health and well-being when designing a treatment plan. If you are interested in trying acupuncture as part of your anxiety management plan, it's crucial to consult with a licensed and qualified acupuncturist. They can assess your specific needs and provide guidance on the potential benefits and limitations of acupuncture in your case. In some instances, acupuncture may be used as part of a holistic approach to anxiety management that includes therapy and other lifestyle changes.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, anxiety and similar disorders of a “fearful mind” often relate to an imbalance of the channels of the Heart and Kidney. The heart represents fire and joy and the mind, while the kidney represents water and fear and the interconnections of the brain. The diagnosis is often that too much heat in the heart causes an imbalance in the interaction with the kidney (water fails to contain the fire) and leads to anxiety and other fearful mind patterns. Acupuncture on points around the heart, kidney, spleen channels, and on ear is used to treat anxiety, triggers, panic attacks, PTSD, nightmares, and other symptoms of a mind that won’t release fear.

Acupuncture has been recognized as a legitimate treatment for some conditions, including anxiety, and is growing in popularity. In a comprehensive literature review appearing in a recent edition of CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics, it was shown that acupuncture is comparable to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which psychologists commonly use now to treat anxiety (Errington-Evans, 2011). Another study published in the Journal of Endocrinology in March 2013 discovered stress hormones were lower in rats after receiving electric acupuncture (Eshkevari, Permaul, and Mulroney, 2013).