ANXIOUS VS. NERVOUS – PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS WITH HOMOEOPATHIC MODALITIES

 ABSTRACT

Terms "anxiety" and "nervous" are often used interchangeably, feeling nervous and having an anxiety disorder are two very different things. When anxiety takes center stage in life, even the small task seem mountainous. It becomes a psychological disorder, which requires immediate attention and help. Homoeopathy is a remarkable resource for those dealing with mental health disorders. This article provides an overview of the aetiology, diagnosis, and appropriate general & homoeopathic management of this disorder.

 

INTRODUCTION

Stress and anxiety are part and parcel of every day busy life. But for some people, it is a much bigger issue and starts to interfere with one's daily routine. A mental health disorder characterised by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities. A person suffering from anxiety may experience symptoms like muscle tension, headache, rapid breathing, shaking, change in appetite and sleeping issue. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.Symptoms include stress that's out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry and restlessness.

 Nervousness is a natural reaction to a stressful situation. It usually hits when face a new or important challenge, such as taking an exam or giving a presentation to a room full of people. Might be nervous when waiting for medical test results lab results or before walking into a job interview. Many physical sensations can accompany nervousness, including a dry mouth, sweaty palms, and dizziness. Also experience feelings of self-doubt. These feelings and sensations are both uncomfortable and uncontrollable. Nervousness tends to go away once have gotten through the situation. And it rarely leads to avoid nerve-wracking situations in the future.

 Anxiety is basically referred to as a state of fear, nervousness as well as worry. The combination of all three has a significant effect on the individuals. In addition to the physical symptoms, the suffocating feeling of dread accompanying anxiety disorders can even compel to avoid places or situations that incite these uncomfortable symptoms. These feelings and negative coping behaviors eventually begin to interfere with day-to-day life.

 Nervousness and anxiety are similar in that both cause a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms. But that's where the similarities end.

· Length of time: Nervousness ends when the nerve-wracking situation is over. Anxiety is persistent. The intensity may ebb and flow, but it never completely goes away. 

· Intensity: Nervousness doesn't prevent from doing the things that make nervous. Anxiety, on the other hand, can prevent from doing something enjoy and make it difficult to focus and go about day.

· Focus: Nervousness is a response to something specific, while anxiety is often more general. May feel anxious but can't always pinpoint what are anxious about.

Risk Factors of Anxiety Disorders

A mix of genetic and environmental factors can raise a person’s risk for developing anxiety disorders.

· Certain personality traits, such as shyness or behavioral inhibition — feeling uncomfortable with, and avoiding, unfamiliar people, situations or environments.

· Stressful or traumatic events in early childhood or adulthood.

· Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions.

· Certain physical conditions, including thyroid problems and heart arrhythmias (unusual heart rhythms).

· Anxiety disorders occur more often in women. Researchers are still studying why that happens. It may come from women’s hormones, especially those that fluctuate throughout the month. The hormone testosterone may play a role, too — men have more, and it may ease anxiety. It’s also possible that women are less likely to seek treatment, so the anxiety worsens.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

· Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

· Panic disorder.

· Phobias.

· Separation anxiety.

· Other mental health conditions share features with anxiety disorders. These include post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder - may feel extreme and unrealistic worry and tension — even if there’s nothing to trigger these feelings. Most days,may worry a lot about various topics, including health, work, school and relationships. May feel that the worry continues from one thing to the next.Physical symptoms of GAD can include restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleeping problems.

Panic disorder, get intense, sudden panic attacks. These attacks often feature stronger, more intense feelings than other types of anxiety disorders.The feelings of terror may start suddenly and unexpectedly or they may come from a trigger, like facing a situation  dread. Panic attacks can resemble heart attacks. During a panic attack, may experience: Sweating, Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is pounding), Chest pain.

Feeling of choking, which can make think are having a heart attack or “going crazy.”Panic attacks are very upsetting. People with panic disorder often spend a lot of time worrying about the next panic attack.

Phobias are an intense fear of certain situations or objects. Some of these fears may make sense, such as a fear of snakes. But often, the level of fear doesn’t match the situation. A specific phobia, or a simple phobia, is an intense fear of a particular object or situation. It may cause you to avoid everyday situations.

Clinical Manifestations of Anxiety

Symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have. General symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

Physical symptoms: Cold or sweaty hands, Dry mouth, Heart palpitations, Nausea, Numbness or tingling in hands or feet, Muscle tension, & Shortness of breath.

Mental symptoms: Feeling panic, fear and uneasiness, Nightmares, Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences & Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.

Behavioral symptoms: Inability to be still and calm, Ritualistic behaviors, such as washing hands repeatedly & Trouble sleeping.

Management

Psychotherapy 

Psychotherapy, or counseling, helps deal with emotional response to the illness. A mental health provider talks through strategies to help better understand and manage the disorder. Approaches include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used with anxiety disorders. CBT for anxiety teaches to recognize thought patterns and behaviors that lead to troublesome feelings then work on changing them.

Exposure therapy focuses on dealing with the fears behind the anxiety disorder. It helps  engage with activities or situations you may have been avoiding. Provider may also use relaxation exercises and imagery with exposure therapy.

Home Remedies:

1. Stay active - Regular exercise isn’t just about physical health — it can be a huge help to your mental health, as well. A 2013 study Trusted Source found that people with anxiety disorders who reported a high level of physical activity were better protected against developing anxiety symptoms. This could be for a variety of reasons. Exercise can divert your attention away from something that’s making you anxious.

2. Steer clear of alcohol -  Drinking alcohol may take the edge off at first, since it’s a natural sedative. However, research Trusted Source suggests there’s a link between anxiety and alcohol consumption, with anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder (AUD) occurring hand-in-hand.

3. Consider quitting smoking cigarettes  Smokers often reach for a cigarette during stressful times. Yet, like drinking alcohol, taking a drag on a cigarette when you’re stressed is a quick fix that may worsen anxiety over time.

4. Limit caffeine intake - If you have chronic anxiety, caffeine is not your friend. Caffeine may cause nervousness and jitters, neither of which is good if you’re anxious. Similar to alcohol, caffeine and anxiety are often linked, due to caffeine’s ability to alter brain chemistry.

5. Prioritize getting a good night’s rest - Sleep has been proven time and time again to be an important part of good mental health.

6. Meditate and practice mindfulness - A main goal of meditation is full awareness of the present moment, which includes noticing all thoughts in a nonjudgmental way. This can lead to a sense of calm and contentment by increasing your ability to mindfully tolerate all thoughts and feelings. Meditation is known to relieve stress and anxiety and is a primary facet of CBT.

7. Eat a balanced diet - Low blood sugar levels, dehydration, or chemicals in processed foods, such as artificial flavorings, artificial coloring, and preservatives, may cause mood changes in some people. A high-sugar diet may also impact temperament.

8. Practice deep breathing - Shallow, fast breathing is common with anxiety. It may lead to a fast heart rate, dizziness or lightheadedness, or even a panic attack. Deep breathing exercises  the deliberate process of taking slow, even, deep breaths  can help restore normal breathing patterns and reduce anxiety.

9. Drink chamomile tea - A cup of chamomile tea is a common home remedy to calm frayed nerves and promote sleep.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathy is a rational therapeutical system with its holistic, integrated, multi-disciplinary and totalistic approaches the subject of anxiety in a convincing rational way. Homoeopathy has long been used to relieve mental and emotional disorders, including anxiety, stress, depression etc. Homeopathic treatment is not only efficient but also effective which slowly helps in the reduction of the mental as well as the physical reactions which are associated with anxiety.

 Some Homoeopathic remedies for Anxiety are

 

Indicated Remedies	Indications
Aconitum napellus	Aconitum napellus is perfectly suitable for anxiety with palpitations and provides relief at the time of anxiety attack.
Gelsemium sempervirens	Gelsemium sempervirens is the homeopathic medicine used when an individual suffers from social anxiety disorders and is extremely anxious in making a public appearance.
Phosphorous	Phosphorous plays a vital role when an individual suffers a lot by worrying about the future.
Coffea cruda	If anxiety takes away the night’s sleep and causes sleeplessness Coffea cruda is used.
Ignatia amara	Ignatia amara is used for the treatment of anxiety with depression.
Lilium tigrinum	Lilium tigrinum is the homeopathic medicine used for anxiety of some incurable diseases.
Opium	Opium is the perfect medicine for anxiety from a great fright or something very frightening that gives rise to anxiety.
Calcarea carb	Calcarea carb is suitable when anxiety results from some thoughts in the individuals about terrible misfortune or mis happening.
Argentum nitricum	Argentum nitricum is the medicine used when anxiety is resulted from anticipation which is also referred to as anticipatory anxiety.
Kali phos	Kali phos is perfectly suited at the time when the individuals experience anxiety along with weakness and tiredness
Arsenic Album	Arsenic Album is ideally suited for the individuals who are extremely anxious about their health and experiencing extreme restlessness at the same time.

 

Conclusion

Homoeopathic remedies are quite effective in the treatment of anxiety and anxiety related disorders. The ingredients used in the medicines are natural which makes them not only safe but are also devoid of any kinds of side effects. These medicines quite effectively treat anxieties of various intensities. The best part of the homoeopathic medicines that these works divulging deeper into the psychology of the affected individuals thereby bringing by a complete recovery along with an overall improvement in the health condition as well. Being made of natural ingredients, the risk of drug dependency is eliminated. Moreover, the homoeopathic medicines are also helpful in the treatment of panic attacks.