Anxiety Treatment

What is anxiety? Anxiety or worry is normal to feel at times. However, when one feels anxious without reason or find it disrupts functioning in daily life it can be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include: Restlessness Feeling of being keyed up or on edge Feeling a lump in your throat Difficulty concentrating Fatigue Irritability Impatience Being easily distracted Muscle tension Trouble falling or staying asleep Excessive sweating Shortness of breath Stomachache Diarrhea Headache

Conventional vs. Natural Therapies

Conventional treatment usually consists of anti-anxiety medications and psychotherapy. Natural medicines offer a much safer long term approach. Addressing underlying psychological and spiritual imbalances are the key to prevention.

Root Causes

• Stress
• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Nicotine
• Alcohol and street drugs
• Super Supplement medications
• Disturbed sleep
• Food allergies
• Environmental toxins
• Poor nutrition
• Thyroid problems
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Low blood sugar
• Depression
• Adrenal disorders

Testing Techniques

• Neurotransmitter balance-urine test
• Hormone analysis by saliva, urine, or blood (estrogens, progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, thyroid panel). DHEA and cortisol are of particular importance.
• Fasting blood sugar
• Food allergy/sensitivity testing

Dr. Stengler's Solutions

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Things to include
Make sure to eat regular meals throughout the day as low blood sugar levels can worsen anxiety. Consume a diet with high quality proteins such as fish, turkey, egg, legumes, and chicken along with non-starchy vegetables such as salads, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. An adequate amount of fat in the diet is important to reduce anxiety.

Things to cut out
Caffeine sources should be reduced or eliminated as they may worsen the symptoms of anxiety. This includes coffee, chocolate, and many teas. The same can be true of simple sugar products so it is best to reduce your intake of candy, soda pop, fruit juices, and white flour products. Avoid deep fried foods as they can interfere with your body’s ability to utilize essential fatty acids.

Good daily habits
Incorporate exercise, prayer, and positive visualization into your daily habits to prevent and reduce anxiety. Deep breathing is important to calm the nervous system. Take time out during the day to take long deep breaths, especially when you feel anxious.

Supplements
Nutritional  and homeopathic supplements can be very effective. Many people with anxiety need adrenal gland support to cope with stress more effectively. Supplements that help relax the nervous system include passionflower, L-theanine, casein hydrosylate, B vitamins, magnesium, ashwagandha, rhodiola, GABA,  St Johns Wort, Inositol, and others.