WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Anxiety disorders form the most common group of mental disorders, affecting about 16% of the population. It usually starting just before or in early adulthood. The symptoms can vary from person to person, but core features include excessive/worry or avoidance of perceived threats that are persistent and impairing. Click here to learn more about the symptoms of Anxiety.
A part of the anxiety response involves aberrant responses in the brain circuits that respond to danger. There are several risk factors for anxiety – including genetic factors and environmental factors.
There are different subtypes of anxiety, including:
- Separation Anxiety (childhood, 4-18 yrs)
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Children and adults)
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia (primarily in adults, 18+)
Click here to learn more about the various types of Anxiety.
Treating Anxiety can sometimes take a multi-disciplinary approach, from counselling, to naturopathy.
WHO SHOULD I SEE AT ABSOLUTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
We have naturopaths who have many tools to help with your anxiety. All of our treatments are evidence based, and we often use a combination of tools to help.
HOW WE COMMONLY TREAT ANXIETY
- Supplements (Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals): many natural substances have strong human research showing they can be effective in treating anxiety
- Lifestyle and Behavior Modification: the things we do everyday such as diet, exercise and sleep have huge impacts on mental health, especially anxiety.
- Acupuncture: naturopaths in Ontario are licensed to administer acupuncture, which has been shown in research to be highly effective in treatment and management of anxiety
- Nutrition and Diet: the food we eat plays a role in our health, including our mental health
Every person is different, and anxiety presents differently for everyone, so we always take an individualized approach to treating your anxiety.