Natural & Holistic Anxiety Treatments in Los Angeles, CA
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a condition characterized by excessive and persistent nervousness, worry, fear, irritability and sleep cycle disruption. Anxiety generally consumes one's mind with an abundance of restless thoughts and results in an inability to shut down feelings of worry. Anxiety is also commonly associated with other conditions such as depression , acute stress or post-traumatic stress disorder , as well as insomnia .
Conventional medical therapy often includes the use of psychotropic drugs like anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. However, tolerance and dependency of anti-anxiety medications is often a risk factor of long-term use and the medications are associated with many unfavorable side effects which can affect a person's quality of life.
Holistic solutions for anxiety focus on addressing root cause issues such as neurotransmitter depletion and adrenal support. Restoring imbalances in other systems such as the gut and thyroid can also help restore a sense of mind-body balance. This approach is advantageous in that it helps to naturally relieve anxiety and worry while addressing imbalances throughout the body resulting in a long-lasting approach to optimal health.
To schedule a consultation with a healthcare practitioner in Los Angeles who specializes in natural, holistic anxiety treatments, call (424) 365-1800 or contact Dr. Jeremy Fischer online.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety disorder typically manifests following years of chronic stress resulting in a significant burden to the body's stress response system. The body's stress response system includes the adrenal glands—the tiny glands that sit atop of the kidneys which regulate the release of stress hormones. Additionally, chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin and GABA are released in response to stress in order to help promote a sense of calmness.
Years of chronic stress can burden the adrenal system and deplete calming brain chemicals resulting in an in ability to cope with stress and general state of excitation. In essence, the body is left in a state of fight-or-flight mode with depletion in stress-buffering chemicals and hormones. The result is a vicious cycle of stress and anxiety. If left unchecked, anxiety can wreak havoc on the body and significantly impact one's health.
What are the Symptoms on Anxiety?
Symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person and also depend on the severity and duration of the condition. The following includes a list of symptoms associated with anxiety disorder:
- Persistent nervousness
- Worry
- Fear
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Muscle tension
Severe anxiety will also produce panic attacks —intense feeling of fear. Panic attacks are very common; about 15% of the U.S. population will experience a panic attack in their lifetime.
Natural Anxiety Treatment Options
Effective treatment for anxiety should address all of the psychological and physiological imbalances that contribute to the condition. Many factors can contribute to anxiety and systemic imbalances, nutrient deficiencies and lifestyle factors vary from person to person. Functional testing of the thyroid and adrenal glands, hormone levels and gut issues can help uncover specific imbalances and create a more targeted approach to your treatment.
Your treatment may include eliminating allergenic foods such as gluten and dairy, addressing blood sugar imbalances, and replenishing nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium , B vitamins , and omega-3 fatty acids , all of which have been shown to naturally relieve anxiety.
Other nutrient therapies include using amino acids such a 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and GABA to help naturally boost levels of the calming brain chemicals serotonin and GABA. Botanicals such ashwagandha, valerian, hops, jujube extract, kava and chamomile are also available to help promote a sense of calmness. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like cold water fish and flaxseeds, are also crucial for promoting a positive mood and reducing inflammation in the brain.
Practices such as meditation, deep breathing and yoga can help reduce anxiety and restore balance to your body's stress response system. Exercise is also crucial for relieving stress as cardiovascular exercise has been shown to release brain-calming endorphins. Counseling and therapy can be helpful for establishing positive coping mechanisms in order to deal with stressful situations that may be driving symptoms of anxiety.
Your holistic treatment plan will be created to address your unique needs, while targeting your specific dietary and physiological imbalances. To meet with a healthcare provider in Los Angeles who specializes in natural anxiety treatment, call (424) 365-1800 or contact Dr. Jeremy Fischer online.
Vitality Integrative Medicine
Address
4849 Van Nuys BlvdSuite 104
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(424) 365-1800
www.vitalityintegrative.com
Hours
Mon:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm