Appearances are deceptive. More and more people are suffering from anxiety! 

Scientists agree that the number of people with anxiety disorders is constantly increasing. All age groups are affected - from children, adolescents, adults to senior citizens - almost everyone struggles with anxiety.

➤ Fear is considered a widespread disease!

Why do anxiety disorders occur so often nowadays?

Fear has always been with us. We worry about our health, safety, finances, politics and relationships. Nevertheless, anxiety disorders have become increasingly common in recent years.

Why is that?

The difference to the past is that nowadays fears are artificially amplified. It happens through:

• Social media
• Permanent accessibility
• News broadcasts around the clock
• Full diary
• Little exercise and sleep

Besides, we eat a fundamentally unhealthier diet and take medication that can even increase anxiety. One example of this is the ongoing opioid crisis in the USA.

➤ Women especially often suffer from fears!

What does fear mean anyway?

Fear is defined as a "feeling of worry, nervousness or discomfort". This usually comes in connection with certain events or situations with an uncertain outcome.

It's perfectly normal to be nervous or scared at times. What distinguishes people with an anxiety disorder from "healthy" people, however, is the fact that they suffer from constant anxiety. This affects their whole life - from relationships, family, friends to work.

How are people with an anxiety disorder doing?

An anxiety disorder usually brings with it many symptoms:

• Tachycardia
• Fake
• High blood pressure
• Tensions
• Sleep disorders, tiredness and exhaustion
• Heavy sweating
• Severe discomfort
• The feeling of hopelessness
• Isolation

Fears mess up our health. We no longer feel comfortable in our bodies, are stressed and sleep badly. This also has health consequences such as a weakened immune system, depression and more.

➤ In Germany, anxiety states are now among the most frequently diagnosed disorders!

How does an anxiety disorder develop?

Life challenges us around the clock. And we are not always up to all situations - stress arises. From many overtime hours, money worries, loss of loved ones, loneliness or mobbing - all this stresses us and triggers fears.

Traumatic life events, genetic predisposition or hormone fluctuations also cause us problems. In addition to this, our diet with excessive consumption of alcohol, high caffeine or sugar intake and drug use.

All this can be responsible for triggering anxiety disorders.

How can anxiety disorders be alleviated naturally?

By default, anxiety disorders are treated with medication and therapy. However, drugs often have risks and side effects. Can anxiety disorders therefore not be treated naturally? 

In some people an improvement already occurs through a change in their diet and lifestyle. This can be specifically supported with the help of natural food supplements:

GABA (gamma amino butyric acid)

Scientists suspect that GABA takes over the control of our anxiety states when our nerve tracts are over-stimulated. In this way, the adaptogen helps us to deal with anxiety better.

5 HTP (5 hydroxytryptophan)

5 HTP is needed for the production of the happiness hormone serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for our well-being. Thus 5 HTP ensures a reduction of stress and a more restful sleep.

St. John's wort drops

St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat fatigue, anxiety or sleep disorders. Recent studies show that St. John's wort can help with depression and anxiety disorders. 

CBD oil 5%

It has been reported in specialist magazines that CBD oil can reduce the anxiety of patients suffering from certain anxiety disorders. CBD also has a natural analgesic effect.

What else can you do to reduce anxiety and stress?

• Apply relaxation techniques
• Reduce stress, as this has a negative effect on anxiety, for example with Rhodiola Rosea (rose root) or Ashwagandha (sleeping berry)
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Sleep enough
• Plan your day
• Record your thoughts and worries in a diary
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and sugar
• Join a support group

PS: Anyone suffering from serious anxiety should always seek professional help, even with natural treatments. Never simply stop taking medication without medical supervision and advice.

 

Sources (in English language):

Craske, M. G., Stein, M. B., Eley, T. C., Milad, M. R., Holmes, A., Rapee, R. M. et al. (2017, May). Anxiety disorderes. Nature Reviews. Disease Primers. 3:17024, doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.24

Fernandez-Rodriguez, M., Rodriguez-Legorburu, I. & Lopez-Ibor Alcocer, M. I (2017, September). Nutritional supplements in Anxiety Disorder. Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria, 45(Supplement):1-7

Lydiard, R. B. (2003). The role of GABA in anxiety disorders. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 64 Suppl 3:21-7

Graeff, F. G., Guimaraes, F. S., De Andrade, T. G. & Deakin, J. F. (1996, May). Role of 5-HT in stress, anxiety, and depression. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 54(1):129-41, doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(95)02135-3

Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J. & Anishetty, S. (2012, July). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3):255-62, doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022

Bystritsky, A., Kerwin, L. & Feusner, J. D. (2008, March). A pilot study of Rhodiola rosea (Rhodax) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(2):175-80, doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.7117