I completely agree with ajnast4r. Mindfullness based stress reduction (MBSR) is a very helpful technique that was first championed in the west by Dr. Jon Kabatt-Zinn at UMass. You can find their programs all over the country. Also, some people with anxiety respond well
with fish oil, esp. the EPA rich ones.
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006 Dec;26(6):661-5.
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease anxiety feelings in a population of substance abusers.
Buydens-Branchey L, Branchey M.
New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA. lbuydens@worldnet.att.net
There is mounting evidence that low levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a role in the pathophysiology of a number of psychiatric disorders. Preclinical studies have shown that n-3 PUFAs decrease anxietylike behaviors, but there is a paucity of information about their effects on anxiety in humans. In light of our observation that substance abusers have poor dietary habits and the strong association between anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, the possibility that the administration of supplements of n-3 PUFAs would decrease the anxiety level of a group of substance abusers was explored. Thirteen patients were given on a daily basis capsules containing 3 g of n-3 PUFAS (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid). Eleven patients received similarly looking placebo capsules containing vegetable oil. The trial was double-blind, randomized, and lasted 3 months. A scale assessing anxiety feelings was administered at baseline and on a monthly basis thereafter. Six PUFA group patients and 8 placebo group patients were followed for an additional 3 months after treatment discontinuation and administered the same questionnaire monthly. Patients who received n-3 PUFAs for 3 months showed a progressive decline in anxiety scores. This was not the case for patients who received placebos. A comparison of the 2 groups was significant (P = 0.010). Anxiety scores remained significantly decreased in the PUFA group for 3 months after treatment discontinuation. A comparison of the 2 groups followed for 6 months was also significant (P = 0.042). In conclusion, these preliminary data indicate that n-3 PUFA supplementation could be beneficial in the treatment of some patients with anxiety disorders.
PMID: 17110827
anxiety responds well to behavioral therapies... also meditation is KEY imo. anyone who has even slight problems with anxiety should be meditation every day..
meditation teaches you to induce the 'relaxation response'... which get progressively deeper & deeper as you continue to induce it over and over. eventually daily induction of this relaxation response will 'spill over' into your waking life... you will find a reduction in anxiety and increased calm/peace during your everyday activities. also you will be able to consciously induce a relaxation response whenever you are feeling anxious... effectively reducing or completely removing the anxiety.
it takes some time to learn to do it properly, and required daily practice. consistency is the key to efficacy with meditation, if you dont do it every day you wont experience the positive results.
read this, its a good starter on meditation:
mindfullness in plain english:
http://www.urbandhar...harma4/mpe.html
