Anxiety is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental conditions in Canada. Not surprisingly, at the Marsden Centre we see many patients who are looking for naturopathic medicine in Vaughan as a way to treat this debilitating condition. In fact, they’re often feeling frustrated by the time they come to our clinic. That’s largely because conventional medical treatments often lead to more problems. And, of course, the difficulty in finding effective treatment can lead to more anxiety, creating a seemingly endless cycle.
Understanding Anxiety
Over 40 percent of Canadians suffer from anxiety. However, despite its prevalence, anxiety is experienced differently by each person. The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can include:
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Uncontrollable worry about random things that may not pose a significant risk
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Chronic nervousness
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Agitation
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Restless, racing thoughts
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Muscle tension and unexplained aches and pains
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Rapid heartbeat
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High blood pressure
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Sleep disturbances
Treating Anxiety: Why We Believe A Natural Approach Is Best
The conventional medical approach to treating GAD is often to suppress the symptoms with pharmaceutical drugs. Although prescription drugs have a role to play in providing relief from the symptoms of acute anxiety, these drugs do potentially carry side effects. One of the most troubling issues is that they can be habit forming. In other words, instead of healing the root cause of anxiety, treating the symptoms with medication can create troubling dependencies.
In contrast, licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) have a deep toolbox of evidence-based natural therapies, including clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and behavioural therapies to treat the whole patient. The naturopathic approach to treating anxiety focuses on treating all aspects of a patient’s life, and on addressing the underlying causes of the condition.
It is important to note that if you are currently taking prescribed medication for your anxiety, you should not stop suddenly. If you intend to reduce your dosage that must always be done properly under medical supervision.
Identifying The Underlying Causes of Anxiety
To treat anxiety, naturopathic doctors begin by assessing all aspects of a person’s wellbeing. It’s not unusual for an initial appointment to last one hour or more as we ask patients about their family history, personal medical history, dietary habits, physical activity, environment, sleep patterns, and any emotional issues they’re experiencing.
Anxiety can arise from a host of different factors, including combinations of neurological imbalances, digestive/microbiome dysfunction, hormonal dysfunction, and other endocrine issues. Your naturopath can run tests to assess many of these.
Hormone Imblalances
To get to the root of an individual person’s anxiety, naturopathic doctors often start by testing hormones such as cortisol, the stress hormone, in order to uncover possible high cortisol levels or over-stimulation of the adrenal glands. Where appropriate they will also carry out other hormonal tests.
Gut Health Issues
Your Naturopath may order a stool analysis to assess the health of the GI tract. Your microbiome (the “good” germs in your gut) help balance your nervous, hormone, and immune systems.
Genetics
Another factor an ND might consider is your genetic predisposition to anxiety. Testing for specific genetic markers can help to create a more personalized treatment plan.
Evidence-Based Naturopathic Medicine Treatments
Naturopathic doctors provide highly individualized therapies. They focus on minimally invasive protocols that support the body and mind to restore healthy function. Naturopathic therapies include:
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Your Naturopath will usually start by giving you advice on healthy lifestyle choices to start addressing your anxiety. Your diet may be modified, and stess reduction exercises implemented.
Supplements
Carefully selected supplements can offer effective treatment for anxiety. NDs select supplements based on their patients’ unique needs, including: magnesium, GABA, L-theanine, passion flower, skullcap, hops, lavender, and adaptogens such as ashwagandha.
Improving Your Gut Health
The gut often holds the key to easing anxiety. A great deal of research supports the gut-brain connection and its impact on stress, fear, and anxiety. A nutritionally diverse diet and supplementation with probiotics is important as you aim to balance the microbiome and address food sensitivities and leaky gut. At the Marsden Centre we offer IV Nutrient therapy designed to help improve any issues with digestion or absorption.
Managing Stress
Many different factors can contribute to high stress levels and anxiety. You might not even realize how much the stressors in your life are affecting you. Your ND will gather details about your diet, activity levels, sleep habits, life events, and more. Once they have a clear picture of your overall lifestyle, they may suggest mindfulness, yoga or meditation.
Because your naturopath takes the time to get to know you, they are able to approach your anxiety treatment holistically, taking into account your body, mind, nutrition and environment. This approach can often help to restore balance, and provide freedom from crippling anxiety.
If anxiety is affecting your enjoyment of life or your relationships, seeing a Naturopathic Doctor is often a good first step to take. We are here to help.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959081/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2848393
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-strategies-to-ease-anxiety-201604139441