NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO ANXIETY
Anxiety is one of the most common presentations I observe in clinic. Whether this be the main reason for a patient booking an appointment, or it being a part of their story, it tends to get a fair bit of stage time in many different people. Anxiety is a wild beast that is difficult to define—it presents in novel ways for each person I see and can be triggered by completely different events.
From the DSM-5:
Disorder Class: Anxiety Disorders
Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). The person finds it difficult to control the worry. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months).
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)
ANXIETY AND ITS INFLUENCE
In some there may actually not be a clear, definitive reason for anxiety’s presence. Whatever the weather, anxiety influences all aspects of human functioning. It interferes with our cognitive process, attention, learning and information processing, thus impairing our mental performance. It can also impact our physical body, driving up blood pressure and impacting pain thresholds, reducing immune system activity and generally increasing stress and cortisol levels. It thwarts our relationship to food and can lend one to adopt more addictive behaviours. This can be the same for alcohol and other drug use.
Anxiety can be acute and ferocious, lending to panic attacks. Though can also be low grade and ever present, which is just as debilitating. Further, what’s rather frequently seen is anxious-types being high-functioning, which presents them as overly competent. This means the world leans on anxious individuals, and has higher expectations of them. This perpetuates anxiety and feeds the cycle.
Jud Brewer, one of my favourite neuroscientists, speaks to this in the way he explains that anxiety becomes a tool for us to get things done, a survival mechanism we rely on to function in the world. His conversation with Rich Roll is rather mind opening. And, his two part series with Tara Brach is another gorgeous resource. His book, Unwinding Anxiety, presents novel vantage points—there is always a reward found in a behaviour, even if that behaviour is not one we are fond of or find logically helpful at all.
Another perspective of anxiety to be considered is that anxiousness is energy in motion, or our e-motions moving within us with nowhere to go, or becoming stuck. If emotions are not expressed, and/or felt and released, these are repressed and can build tension, lending to poorer mental health outcomes. We will continue to be triggered in such a way that continues to evoke particular emotions until they are felt and released. Somatic therapies work really beautifully here, and moving very slowly with these—first, beginning to regulate a wired nervous system to feel safe to feel is step one.
Talk therapy and counselling are common, which I personally don’t think are particularly groundbreaking. There needs to be at least some cognitive component to support rewiring the brain (just talking about things will never do this). Personally, if you’ve been seeing a therapist for a few sessions and you are yet to see change within, move on. A therapist’s job is to move you from where you are to someplace better - and this ought to occur fairly quickly if you are also putting in the work. Both cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness based therapy (MBT) are equally effective and the gold standard of psychological care for anxiety. This is an epic write up on rebuilding the brain with psychotherapy.
NATUROPATHIC PERSPECTIVE
From a naturopathic perspective, my considerations are steeped in root cause healing. Understanding the depth of an individual on all levels supports and guides treatment. There may be biological or biochemical underpinnings such as poor nutrition (low protein particularly can impact neurotransmitter synthesis), gut-brain axis dysregulation is associated with anxiety, lifestyle practices such as excessive phone use, crappy circadian rhythm, and/or low social engagements are all also considered big factors that play a role in anxiety initiation. There could be psychological components, of which I like to address with mindfulness/mind-body practices and if therapy is desired, referral onto a psychologist for more in-depth care. The complexity of anxiety means there is no one solution and usually we need to take a multifaceted approach (why I love naturopathy, as its philosophy is founded in treating the whole person). Herbs and nutraceuticals work beautifully with anxiety presentations, whether it’s to help regulate a wired nervous system, promote serotonergic and/or GABAergic pathways, relieve sleeplessness, and/or reduce fatigued states. There are so many tools in our toolkit.
In summary
Anxiety can negatively impact one’s life and because of its many potential drivers, it requires more than just one form of treatment. Addressing biochemical and biological functioning, alongside psychological support, is an incredible way to reboot body systems and rewire the brain. As a naturopath, I like to see a multifaceted treatment plan that encompasses psychological care, mindfulness practices, somatic tools, lifestyle adjustments and dietary interventions, as well as targeted nutraceuticals and herbal prescriptions. Perspective shifts and self awareness underpin momentum in anxiety presentations, and this requires the buy-in of individuals that are ready to make a change.
One of my favourite areas to work in because of the ripple effect it has in one’s life. If you are currently struggling with anxiety, I send you love and hope that a facet of this write-up has sent you onwards in your journey of healing. You can always reach out if you’re wanting more individualised care.
