After living with crippling anxiety attacks for more than ten years and
trying numerous different approaches that were unsuccessful, I found
holistic treatment for anxiety to be the only way to go.
I had all the standard mental health labels applied to my
experience. Anxiety attacks, anxiety disorder, panic attacks etc.
etc.
This was before my journey into holistic living, so at the time I took
all the standard prescribed steps to alleviate my symptoms. Visit
after visit to psychologist after psychologist. Prescription drug
after prescription drug.
I became severely addicted to the anti-anxiety medication, Ativan, and
never did alleviate my anxiety attacks. Later I had to go to
rehab to overcome my addictions.
I participated in group therapy, individual therapy and read all the
latest books. Delved into my deep psyche and explored all my
childhood traumas. None of these things were bad things, they
were essential in their own right, but not the root of my anxiety
attacks.
After over a decade of suffering, I stumbled upon a book "The Missing
Diagnosis" by Orion C Truss and it was here that I learned the true
root of my anxiety and was able to find relief. That true root
was Candida overgrowth.
By incorporating a
holistic treatment for anxiety I was able to alleviate my anxiety
attacks completely.
Can anxiety be a response to an emotional trigger? Absolutely,
but my experience reveals to me that this is a very different kind of
anxiety in comparison to anxiety attacks or panic attacks.
Normal levels of anxiety are much easier to deal with, less intense and
they pass after a period of time.
Anxiety attacks that come out of nowhere for no apparent reason and
that can't be controlled have another root cause. It is usually a
reaction to something physiological going on in the body.
One of the most common causes of anxiety attacks is an overgrowth of
Candida.
The most important step in controlling Candida overgrowth is the
removal of sugar from the diet. It was removing sugar from my
diet that stopped my anxiety attacks.
I had to remove sugar from my diet in all forms. This included
fruit juices and fruits and any food that is high in carbohydrates.
This was not an easy task either, I was addicted to the sugar, and I
fell off the sugar wagon several times before achieving success.
Every time I gave in to my cravings my anxiety would return.
I was amazed and horrified
at the same time. I couldn't believe that such a simple solution
had existed all these years and not one mental health professional had
ever made this suggestion to me.
Over time I discovered that many other things could also trigger
anxiety or anxiety attacks. Holistic treatment for anxiety
consists of addressing many issues simultaneously.
I soon learned I had to give up hair spray and perfume, as well as all
other personal care products that contained chemicals and
fragrances. I had to switch to natural and non-toxic alternatives
found in health food stores.
A large glass of orange juice would also bring on the anxiety, just as
badly as a candy bar. So I could no longer drink juice.
If I had to take an antibiotic for any reason, the anxiety would
return. So antibiotics are now avoided at all costs, unless
absolutely necessary to save my life.
Any food that is high in carbohydrates will bring back my anxiety.
An exposure to herbicides or pesticides will bring back my anxiety
attacks on an unbearable level and it takes a long time to recover from
this. Avoidance of herbicides and pesticides is essential to my
being able to function.
Foods that are high in natural phytoestrogens will also trigger my
anxiety to extreme discomfort.
An environment that is high in mold can also trigger high levels of
anxiety.
At certain points of my menstrual cycle I can experience high levels of
anxiety and now I'm going through Menopause and find that the
fluctuation in hormones also brings on anxiety. It can be intense
at times.
So in summary Anxiety,
Anxiety Attacks or Panic Attacks can be the result of any of the
following:
candida overgrowth
food allergies,
caffeine (coffee, colas, chocolate etc)
chemical sensitivities
pesticides
herbicides
mold
hormonal fluctuations
These are the triggers that affect me. Each person can have
different triggers. Any food or environmental substance can be a
possible trigger depending on your vulnerabilities.
To pinpoint your own anxiety triggers you must become a detective and
investigate your lifestyle and diet. They may be the same as mine
or their may be some differences.
If you need help embracing a holistic treatment for anxiety,
pinpointing your triggers or need someone to talk to for encouragement,
support or advice, you may find
Cynthia's
holistic health counseling, which is available by telephone, to be
just what you're looking for.
In addition to avoiding all the above factors to alleviate my anxiety,
I also incorporate a variety of other techniques in my holistic
treatment for anxiety:
Breathing Exercises
Meditation
Physical Exercise (such as
brisk walking)
Sometimes you may have exposures that you can't control and therefore
coping strategies are a great holistic treatment for anxiety.
Understanding why something is happening makes it a lot easier to get
through. Part of the overwhelming fear that accompanies anxiety
attacks, are the questions: "what the hell is happening to me" "am I
going crazy" "is this ever going to go away." I find that
understanding what is happening to me and knowing what it is and that
it will pass is immensely helpful.
Many people find that certain herbal combinations are another effective
holistic treatment for anxiety. Valerian Root, Bach Flower
Remedies, Kava Kava, Chamomile and Passion Flower are some of the most
popular.
Herbs are preferred over drugs because they are natural, non-addictive
and don't cover up the problem. They are great to use in
conjunction with other holistic methods such as exercise and meditation.
By adopting a holistic
treatment for anxiety into your lifestyle, you may find the much needed
relief you've been searching for.
