Written by As people become exposed to information from cultures all over the world, they are also learning that conventional medicine overlooks natural remedies that have been used for centuries. When it comes to treatment for anxiety, you may just find that alternative treatments work better, and also have fewer side effects. At the very least, if you are thinking about taking any kind of medication for anxiety, you should find out about other options first.
Please note that I am not a doctor. The following information is based on my own research. What I found concerns me and this is why I wanted to share it with you. It should not be seen as medical advice. If you are currently using medication, I strongly recommend that you speak to your doctor first before making any changes.
Emergency Need vs. Long Term Cure
It is very important to realize that the events surrounding your first anxiety attack may never happen again. For example, if you were brought to the emergency room, or a situation escalated, that is bound to be as upsetting as the attack itself. Unfortunately, if you start taking medications based on one single event, you may never get a chance to find out more about other options.
Since drug based treatment for an anxiety disorder does not result in a cure, you are likely to find that you will need medication for the rest of your life. At the same time, if you do not actually solve the underlying problem, you will wind up needing stronger medications that have worse side effects. On the other hand, when you work with relaxation techniques and other alternative types of treatment for anxiety, you will always be focusing on solutions. This, in turn, can lead to a cure, as well as a healthier lifestyle.
Anxiety Progression With Conventional Drug Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Consider a situation where you had an anxiety attack, and were given an anti anxiety drug, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, either by your doctor or an emergency room physician:
Phase 1: Even though you may feel better for a few days, there is no guarantee that you will handle a stressful situation without having an anxiety attack. Since you will most likely avoid those situations at all cost, you may even believe the medication is helping you feel better.
Phase 2: In the meantime, the medication may be causing changes to the neural receptors that can actually make you more prone to anxiety attacks. At the same time, your body will begin developing a tolerance to the drug, which means the initial good feelings will wear off.
Phase 3: At some point you may encounter a stressful situation and have another anxiety attack. At that point, your doctor will probably shift you to another medication, and the cycle will only repeat itself.
Phase 4: Even if you happen to solve your problems during this process, you will pay a very high price. All of the drugs used to control anxiety disorders increase sensitivity in certain brain receptors. This, in turn, actually could cause damage that may not be reversible. Once you go off these medications, you may never be able to be free of panic attacks without them. What started as a lifestyle problem has now literally become a handicap based on altered brain chemistry.
If we had started off this scenario with someone using relaxation techniques for anxiety, the outcome would have been very different. Instead of being provided with a false sense of security, relaxation techniques would have provided a firm and reliable foundation for solving problems. As you worked through each problem, you would have become more confident, and also made changes to your life that had even greater benefits. At the same time, you would never have had to worry about drug tolerance, let alone the nausea, headaches, and other side effects that occur with conventional drug based treatment for anxiety.
When you are dealing with anxiety attacks, it is not unusual to take advantage of the first cure presented to you. Since the vast majority of doctors will provide you with drugs, it becomes very hard to break the cycle. That said, if you suspect you are about to have an anxiety attack, or you are on medication for them, you can still find out more about alternative treatment for anxiety.