Drug Free Alternative Anxiety Treatments

There are a number of drugs that can be prescribed to bring the symptoms of anxiety under control. To find the best drug or combination of drugs to eliminate your anxiety symptoms might require some experimenting with prescriptions by your healthcare provider. As a result, relief from your symptoms may take several weeks or months and you have the potential for some serious unwanted side effects.

Often the underlying cause is left untreated, even if you do get a medical "cocktail" that works to relieve your symptoms. Because of these risks, its a good idea to take a very serious look at alternative anxiety treatments. Non-prescription solutions give the hope of life long symptom relief from anxiety without the risk or side effects.

Some of the most popular natural remedies for anxiety and panic include:

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES. The physical symptoms of anxiety are targeted by several different relaxation strategies. Techniques that produce measurable physical effects include bio feedback, deep breathing and some forms of meditation. Breathing rate slows, blood pressure and heart rate drop. The brain enjoys an increase in blood flow as the blood flow to the limbs is reduced. GOAL: A warm feeling all over the body, with a relaxed and mentally alert mind.

MUSCLE RELAXATION THERAPY. The physical aspects of anxiety are also targeted by this treatment. You have probably noticed a tightness in your muscles if you suffer from any level of anxiety or stress. For most people who experience muscle tension, the shoulders, face and neck muscles are the most likely areas of discomfort. Progressively tensing and releasing each muscle group in your body is the fundamental approach of muscle relaxation therapy. Goal: To become aware of the difference between tense and relaxed muscles and to reduce overall muscle tension.

The alternative anxiety treatments discussed up to this point are all capable of relaxing the body and the mind. They can be called upon in any situations where anxiety and stress start to manifest but only after they are mastered through quiet practice on a daily basis. These techniques are effective in establishing the deep calm that is necessary for another critical daily practice routine:

MINDFUL MEDITATION. Direct your thoughts entirely on an object (such as a candle) or a process (like your breath) while sitting comfortably in a quiet place with no distractions. After you have reached a deep state of relaxation, you can then contemplate a question, or undertake a visualization exercise. Avoid analyzing or judging thoughts, but know that you will remain aware of all the thoughts this exercise elicits. Meditation allows the individual to increase general calm and greater self awareness, even though may take some time to establish a basic mastery. Goal: To stay relaxed and calm but still aware of all experiences during meditation.

HYPNOSIS and SELF HYPNOSIS. During this trans-like state, the individual is fully focused internally, and is both calm and relaxed. The hypnotized individual puts full focus on a specific memory, thought, feeling or sensation because the hypnotic state eliminates external stimuli. Hypnosis provides an opportunity to modify negative perceptions and behaviors because the individual is more open to suggestions. Goal: To get to a mental state that is relaxed and open minded, and then offer positive options to existing negative behaviors.

BINAURAL BEATS. Binaural beats are two sound waves of a specific frequency, which are intended to be heard together in stereo. The mind is coaxed into creating a third tone when two unique sounds are presented separately to each ear. Brain waves will shift as a result of the sound caused by this combination. Each set of binaural beats can cause brain waves to be modified to attain the intended outcomes. . . even without practice. Goal: Simply by listening to binaural beats, to obtain a specific outcome (such as help with addictions, increased creativity or achieving a meditative state).

Under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, there is another alternative anxiety treatment option that does not require drugs.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY. Cognitive behavior therapy helps the individual identify and repair distorted beliefs with the aid of a trained therapist. The sufferer faces distorted perceptions and starts to look at these perceptions more realistically through systematic and increasing exposure to known triggers for anxiety. If someone is uncomfortable in tight spaces, as an example, he. Or she might progress from just standing inside the elevator box, to shutting the door and taking a ride. Because of this systematic approach, the sufferer will start to see that their anxiety is based on excessive fears and can then start to get a healthier mental perspective. Goal: Face the source of the anxiety and resolve it through surviving exposure in small but increasing doses.

Despite all the benefits of non-drug solutions, if you are having difficulty taking the first steps, medications might be a good approach for you to achieve enough calm to get started. Work with your health care practitioner to find the right drug or drugs for your needs, and always take them as they are prescribed for you. To avoid very serious risks, don't ever stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your health care provider. Keep in mind that you can still engage in these alternative anxiety treatments, even if you decide to start a prescription medication. There are no risks of negative interactions or long term side effects when you try one, some or even all of these natural, non-drug anxiety solutions. Of course you should always consult with your heath care practitioner before making changes to your overall treatment.