Anxiety
Recognizing Normal Stress and Anxiety Disorders
When Anxiety Takes Over
For most people, anxiety is a normal part of life. It’s a feeling of fear, dread and uneasiness but it can be a normal reaction to stress. It can make you feel tense, sweaty or lead to rapid heartbeat. It can help us cope with stressful situations, such as facing problems at work, making difficult decisions or taking a test in school. But for people that have anxiety disorders, the feelings don’t subside and can be overwhelming. Left untreated, anxiety can interfere with work, relationships and normal daily activities.
Three main types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and phobias
- People with GAD worry about ordinary, everyday issues like money and family. Their worries are excessive and they experience these feelings every day for at least 6 months.
- People with panic disorders have panic attacks. The attacks come on suddenly and can last a few minutes or more. Panic attacks occur when there is no real danger present.
- People with phobias have a very real and intense fear of something that doesn’t pose an imminent danger, like spiders, going outside or being in crowded places.
Causes, Risk Factors, and the Healing Power of Acupuncture
Exploring Anxiety
There is no known definitive cause of anxiety. Factors like genetics, environment and stress can play a role. Anyone is at risk for anxiety disorders. GAD and phobias are more common in women but social anxiety affects both men and women equally. Some risk factors for anxiety disorders include being shy or withdrawn, traumatic events, family history or some physical health conditions.
More than 40 million adults in the United States suffer from anxiety. It is often treated with psychotherapy, medication or a combination of the two. Acupuncture is becoming a popular and safe alternative treatment for anxiety. It stimulates the body’s natural feel-good hormones and reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol. There is scientific evidence that acupuncture is helpful in treating general anxiety, especially for patients who did not respond well to other treatments. One study found that participants who received ten 30-minute acupuncture sessions over 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms. The reduction in their symptoms lasted for several months after treatment.
Another study found that acupuncture was found to reduce anxiety by impacting how the body triggers the fight-or-flight response. At Restoration Health Acupuncture & Nutrition, we have helped reduce the intensity and frequency of, and in some cases completely eliminate, symptoms of anxiety for hundreds of patients.
A Natural Path to Calm
Acupuncture for Anxiety
If you’re looking for a safe and effective treatment for anxiety, with fewer side effects than medications, consider acupuncture.