Physical, psychological and behavioural changes occur when we are stressed and anxious. These changes were designed to help us deal with dangerous and stressful situations and should ‘switch off’ when circumstances improve. If they don’t ‘switch off’ however the body may respond with physical symptoms including headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea
.
Psychologically we begin to focus on worrying, always fearing the worst. Our behaviour changes and the most common response to fear and anxiety is to run away. This ‘avoidance’ can take the form of comfort eating, smoking, drinking, taking drugs etc. While this approach can provide relief, it is only temporary and leads to other problems such as addiction and loss of self confidence.
As we are all unique individuals so too is our personal experience of anxiety. Some of us worry about what the future may hold, others cancel engagements rather than go through with them, others will quake in front of an audience and others will become claustrophobic in a crowd. Different strokes for different folks! But homeopathy has remedies that suit each one of us and can help immensely as one of my patients will bear witness to.
"During a period of terrible stress and worry I developed debilitating panic attacks. It was impossible for me to lead an normal life. I panicked in crowds, when alone. I would wake in a state of panic during the night. I was at my wits end until I attended Noirin at Clew Bay Holistic Centre, Westport. She was a great assistance and offered me homeopathic remedies and counselling combined. I am now much happier and able to cope with life again. Thank you Noirin"
(Trina, Castlebar)
According to recent trials homeopathy is just as effective as diazepam (Valium) and benzodiazepine (Lorazepam or Ativan) at treating nervousness and anxiety disorders but without addictive or harmful side effects. Chronic anxiety disorders will need an individual, personal course of treatment designed for your individual symptoms of anxiety and panic. The appropriate remedy will reduce or eliminate panic and anxiety altogether.
Some useful remedies to treat panic and anxiety include
1. Aconite napellus (Acon.)
Aconite is one of the best remedies for waves of fear or outright panic. Symptoms are sudden, intense and may follow a shock such as an accident or natural disaster. The person is agitated, restless, and fearful. They can think they are about to die and may even predict the time of death. Other symptoms may include: dry skin and mouth; thirst; pounding heart. Aconite can also treat ongoing anxiety caused by a past traumatic event.
Remember: Rapid onset, intense symptoms, agitation, fear of death, panic attacks.
2. Argentum nitricum (Arg-n.)
Apprehension and nervousness when the person is unsure of what is likely to happen. The more they dwell on the anxiety, the worse it becomes. They are hurried, feel the heat, and crave sugar or sweet things. Sugar can lead to digestive upsets and diarrhoea and flatulence may be triggered by anxiety. People who do well with Arg-n may also have strange compulsions and “What if…” thoughts. These can include things such as stepping into a line of traffic, throwing themselves from a height, or poking something into a power outlet. Anxiety worsens with overheating and they feel better in cool fresh air and away from crowds.
Remember: Apprehension and anxiety. Strange imaginings and “what if …” thoughts. Craving for sugar. Worse when overheated.
3. Arsenicum album (Ars.)
The Arsenicum anxiety focuses on issues of security and safety, what will happen in the future, especially at night and when alone. They tend to worry about health, robbers, or money. To manage this anxiety, they become overly fastidious, perfectionists and selfish in their insecurity. They feel better in company but become critical of others and controlling in behaviour. They are usually overly neat and tidy, chilly and better for warmth.
Remember: Anxiety about health, security, the future; perfectionists; critical; chilly; desire company.
4. Calcarea carbonica (Calc.)
Those who need Calc. have a fear of change and of losing control. As a result they insist on routine and struggle to keep things the same which can make them seem stubborn or obstinate. Frequently heavy in build, they tire easily on exertion or when walking uphill or climbing stairs. They sweat easily on exertion or during sleep, especially on the back of the neck. Fear of the dark, insects, spiders, and animals, especially dogs, are common. They can’t stand hearing about or seeing unpleasant things and acts of cruelty. They can sometimes struggle with confusion and worry that they are going insane.
Remember: Fear of change and losing control; tiring on exertion; perspiring easily; anxiety on hearing about unpleasant things.
5. Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels.)
People who need Gels. suffer from performance anxiety that leads to weakness of muscles. Any exertion produces trembling of the muscles – knees may knock, legs may shake, and hands can tremble. They can feel paralysed by the anxiety, helpless and want to hide away. Gelsemium is one of the remedies used for agoraphobia (fear of wide open spaces) and influenza when the sufferer has weakness and trembling.
Remember: Anxiety, weakness, trembling, desire to hide away, unable to cope.
6. Kali arsenicosum (Kali-ar.)
Anxiety about health, especially about heart disease or a heart attack. This can result in panic attacks or make them sleep with their hand over their heart. Anxious thoughts can increase at night making them avoid going to bed. They can even imagine that they see dead people. Frequently feel chilly.
Remember: Anxiety about heart problems. Anxiety worse at night.
7. Kali phosphoricum (Kali-p.)
A remedy for those with anxiety from feeling overwhelmed. Easily, stressed, startled and frightened. Oversensitive and delicate. Easily exhausted and irritability from exhaustion or anxiety. Physical ailments from worry, overwork, and overexcitement. They can fear having a nervous breakdown or fear something bad will happen.
Remember: Oversenstive, overwhelmed and anxious. Exhaustion and irritability with anxiety.
8. Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)
People who need lycopodium suffer from anticipation anxiety and stage fright. Lack of self confidence. However, once in the middle of a presentation they frequently relax and do well. Anxiety in new groups and situations that is covered up with bravado or over talking. Anxiety often accompanied by bloating. Craving for sweets.
Remember: Lack of self confidence; boasting and bragging; bloating and desire for sweets.
9. Phosphorus (Phos.)
Many fears and anxieties but especially of being alone. Fears and anxieties always relieved in company. As a result, those who need Phosphorus are generally sensitive, sociable and friendly. Fear of the dark, ghosts, thunderstorms and many other things. Startle easily. Sensitive to odours and sounds. Vivid imaginations. Highly suggestible and highly empathic. Phosphorus types generally enjoy cold drinks, sweets (especially chocolate), ice cream and spicy food.
Remember: Many fears and anxieties, especially of being alone. Friendly, empathic, suggestible.
"During a period of terrible stress and worry I developed debilitating panic attacks. It was impossible for me to lead an normal life. I panicked in crowds, when alone. I would wake in a state of panic during the night. I was at my wits end until I attended Noirin at Clew Bay Holistic Centre, Westport. She was a great assistance and offered me homeopathic remedies and counselling combined. I am now much happier and able to cope with life again. Thank you Noirin"
(Trina, Castlebar)
According to recent trials homeopathy is just as effective as diazepam (Valium) and benzodiazepine (Lorazepam or Ativan) at treating nervousness and anxiety disorders but without addictive or harmful side effects. Chronic anxiety disorders will need an individual, personal course of treatment designed for your individual symptoms of anxiety and panic. The appropriate remedy will reduce or eliminate panic and anxiety altogether.
Some useful remedies to treat panic and anxiety include
1. Aconite napellus (Acon.)
Aconite is one of the best remedies for waves of fear or outright panic. Symptoms are sudden, intense and may follow a shock such as an accident or natural disaster. The person is agitated, restless, and fearful. They can think they are about to die and may even predict the time of death. Other symptoms may include: dry skin and mouth; thirst; pounding heart. Aconite can also treat ongoing anxiety caused by a past traumatic event.
Remember: Rapid onset, intense symptoms, agitation, fear of death, panic attacks.
2. Argentum nitricum (Arg-n.)
Apprehension and nervousness when the person is unsure of what is likely to happen. The more they dwell on the anxiety, the worse it becomes. They are hurried, feel the heat, and crave sugar or sweet things. Sugar can lead to digestive upsets and diarrhoea and flatulence may be triggered by anxiety. People who do well with Arg-n may also have strange compulsions and “What if…” thoughts. These can include things such as stepping into a line of traffic, throwing themselves from a height, or poking something into a power outlet. Anxiety worsens with overheating and they feel better in cool fresh air and away from crowds.
Remember: Apprehension and anxiety. Strange imaginings and “what if …” thoughts. Craving for sugar. Worse when overheated.
3. Arsenicum album (Ars.)
The Arsenicum anxiety focuses on issues of security and safety, what will happen in the future, especially at night and when alone. They tend to worry about health, robbers, or money. To manage this anxiety, they become overly fastidious, perfectionists and selfish in their insecurity. They feel better in company but become critical of others and controlling in behaviour. They are usually overly neat and tidy, chilly and better for warmth.
Remember: Anxiety about health, security, the future; perfectionists; critical; chilly; desire company.
4. Calcarea carbonica (Calc.)
Those who need Calc. have a fear of change and of losing control. As a result they insist on routine and struggle to keep things the same which can make them seem stubborn or obstinate. Frequently heavy in build, they tire easily on exertion or when walking uphill or climbing stairs. They sweat easily on exertion or during sleep, especially on the back of the neck. Fear of the dark, insects, spiders, and animals, especially dogs, are common. They can’t stand hearing about or seeing unpleasant things and acts of cruelty. They can sometimes struggle with confusion and worry that they are going insane.
Remember: Fear of change and losing control; tiring on exertion; perspiring easily; anxiety on hearing about unpleasant things.
5. Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels.)
People who need Gels. suffer from performance anxiety that leads to weakness of muscles. Any exertion produces trembling of the muscles – knees may knock, legs may shake, and hands can tremble. They can feel paralysed by the anxiety, helpless and want to hide away. Gelsemium is one of the remedies used for agoraphobia (fear of wide open spaces) and influenza when the sufferer has weakness and trembling.
Remember: Anxiety, weakness, trembling, desire to hide away, unable to cope.
6. Kali arsenicosum (Kali-ar.)
Anxiety about health, especially about heart disease or a heart attack. This can result in panic attacks or make them sleep with their hand over their heart. Anxious thoughts can increase at night making them avoid going to bed. They can even imagine that they see dead people. Frequently feel chilly.
Remember: Anxiety about heart problems. Anxiety worse at night.
7. Kali phosphoricum (Kali-p.)
A remedy for those with anxiety from feeling overwhelmed. Easily, stressed, startled and frightened. Oversensitive and delicate. Easily exhausted and irritability from exhaustion or anxiety. Physical ailments from worry, overwork, and overexcitement. They can fear having a nervous breakdown or fear something bad will happen.
Remember: Oversenstive, overwhelmed and anxious. Exhaustion and irritability with anxiety.
8. Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)
People who need lycopodium suffer from anticipation anxiety and stage fright. Lack of self confidence. However, once in the middle of a presentation they frequently relax and do well. Anxiety in new groups and situations that is covered up with bravado or over talking. Anxiety often accompanied by bloating. Craving for sweets.
Remember: Lack of self confidence; boasting and bragging; bloating and desire for sweets.
9. Phosphorus (Phos.)
Many fears and anxieties but especially of being alone. Fears and anxieties always relieved in company. As a result, those who need Phosphorus are generally sensitive, sociable and friendly. Fear of the dark, ghosts, thunderstorms and many other things. Startle easily. Sensitive to odours and sounds. Vivid imaginations. Highly suggestible and highly empathic. Phosphorus types generally enjoy cold drinks, sweets (especially chocolate), ice cream and spicy food.
Remember: Many fears and anxieties, especially of being alone. Friendly, empathic, suggestible.
