Generalized anxiety, panic attacks and social anxiety are different forms of anxiety known as anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are actually the most common mental illness in the United States according to the National Institute of Mental Health and affects more than 40 million Americans. Unfortunately, millions suffer with an anxiety disorder and do not receive treatment; this can greatly reduce their happiness and quality of life. While these conditions are most often treated with prescription medication, we will present a functional medicine approach that has been very effective at managing anxiety disorders and their related physical symptoms.  First, let’s look at 3 common forms of anxiety disorder:

GAD / Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD affects almost 7 million adults in America and women are approximately twice as likely to develop this disorder compared to men according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). Those suffering from this condition tend to worry often and excessively about a variety of different things. GAD sufferers find it extremely difficult to control their worry and tend to worry more than they should considering the actual circumstances. They also tend to visualize and expect the worst in life. There is a constant anticipation that things will not go well or not as expected. There may be constant worry and thinking about their health, work, relationships, money and the future. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is an appropriate name for this condition because there is worry and anxiety about the different parts of life we all live with but those with GAD take worry and fear to the extreme and it becomes a very stressful and uncomfortable way of life.

GAD Symptoms:

• Chronic worry
• Inability to stop anxiety and worry and feeling on edge
• Placing too much importance or significance on things in life
• Irritability and or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Stressed about making decisions and worried about making the wrong decision
• Focusing on the negative or potential negative in situations
• Handle stress poorly
• Insomnia / poor sleep
• Digestion problems like IBS or nausea

Panic Disorder / Attack

Panic disorder is not as common as GAD and affects about 6 million Americans, and again women are twice as likely to suffer from this condition as men; there is also a higher incidence of depression in those who suffer from panic disorders according to the ADAA. This disorder is a bit different than GAD in that sufferers experience intense attacks of panic and these may have no recognizable cause to trigger. These episodes of panic can occur at almost any time; even during sleep. These attacks are characterized by intense distress and fear and one may feel like they are losing control, going to have a heart attack or even die. There is a very strong sense of fear and discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms.

Panic Attack Physical Symptoms:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness or light-headed
• Sweating and trembling
• Abdominal discomfort or nausea
• Numbness or tingling
• Difficulty breathing
• The sensation of feeling hot or cold

Again, panic attacks do not depend on a known stressor and are often unprovoked and not predictable; thus making them all the more worrisome to those suffering with them.

Social Anxiety Disorder

According to the ADAA, 15 million Americans suffer with a social anxiety disorder (SAD). Many people begin to suffer with this disorder at younger age than other anxiety disorders. SAD may begin as early as age 13 and men and women seem to be affected equally. More than 1/3 of sufferers live with this condition for 10 or more years before seeking help. SAD is characterized by the following:

Social Anxiety Disorder:

• Fearing social situations and interaction
• Worrying that you will be judged by others
• Concern that others will notice that you are anxious
• Fear of embarrassing yourself
• Difficulty interacting with people you don’t already know
• Not wanting or fearing you may be the center of attention
• Expecting the worst possible outcome of situations
• Avoiding normal social situations like going to school or work
• Difficulty with common activities like going to the store or parties
• Children may respond to this stress by crying or having temper tantrums
• Rapid heartbeat or trouble breathing
• Feeling dizzy
• Nausea 

While SAD suffers are aware that their fears are unreasonable, they are not able to effectively control their anxiety. This disorder will interfere with normal daily activities and routines. This can make one work or social life difficult to endure. This condition is not just being “shy” because symptoms are such that they disrupt normal daily life.

Treatment

There are several different medications that can be used to help manage anxiety disorders and they all work on manipulating chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters). Common classes of medication used include benzodiazepines, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).  While medication is certainly the most common treatment for anxiety disorders, they carry many potential side effects and may lose effectiveness over time.

Taking an integrative medicine approach to anxiety disorders also focuses on these brain chemicals but without the use of medications. With this approach, the physician is restoring optimal levels of neurotransmitters by administering specific nutrients instead of drugs. Results can be as effective and in some cases more effective than those achieved by medication and treatment does not cause harmful side effects. This functional medicine approach to anxiety disorders is very patient-specific and patients require varying amounts of key nutrients to restore normal neurotransmitter function in the brain. Many of our patients have tried to treat their anxiety on their own and have already tried supplements like 5-HTP, SAM-e, B6, magnesium, tyrosine, GABA, etc. Very few have success treating themselves this way, simply because they don’t know what they should be taking or how much to take. Most of the anxiety supplements on the market today have very little if any effect at all. Treating neurotransmitter imbalances with nutrients is a very complex subject and should only be done under the supervision of a physician trained in their use. When the correct nutrients are utilized properly, the results can be truly life changing! If you are suffering with an anxiety disorder, don’t wait, get the help you need and deserve. If you are interested in our non-drug approach to this condition, contact our Naperville office or go to our website for more information.