| Chronic
anxiety disorders can benefit by treatment from a
trained homeopath. But for short episodes of
transient, self-limited anxiety, you can use the
appropriate remedies.
Aconite is the medication of choice if your
anxiety is the result of a sudden fright or shock.
If you are grief stricken (such as when one of your
loved ones die), the homeopath may give you
ignatia. In situations such
as stage fright and other anticipatory and
performance anxiety, gelsemium
is recommended. If you have anxiety accompanied by
diarrhea, gelsemium is the
preferred choice. Other homeopathic remedies are
described below.
Begin with a 6x
potency and take two tablets every two to four hours
depending on the severity, or acuteness, of the
illness. Once you begin to notice improvement,
increase the intervals between dosages, and when it
seems that improvement is well on its way,
discontinue the treatment. If you use a remedy
longer than necessary, it might tend to cause the
symptoms to recur.
Take your remedy with
a clean mouth free from drink, food, tobacco,
toothpaste, or mouthwash. Allow the tablet or
granules to dissolve in your mouth rather than
swallowing them with water, and do not ingest
anything except water for fifteen minutes after
taking the remedy.
Homeopathic
Remedies for Anxiety
Disorders
The following
remedies may be useful to you in treating symptoms
of anxiety.
Aconite (Aconitum napellus)
A panic attack that
comes on suddenly with very strong fear (even fear
of death) may indicate this remedy. A state of
immense anxiety may be accompanied by strong
palpitations, shortness of breath, and flushing of
the face.
Symptoms
Sudden, intense
ailments from fright.
Anxiety and restlessness with complaints.
Fears that do not subside.
Faintness or dizziness upon waking up.
Sudden fever with one cheek red, the other pale
Intolerance of pain.
Painful urination with anxiety
Pains followed by numbness and tingling.
Eye pain and injuries
Throbbing headache.
Unquenchable thirst.
Argentum nitricum (Arg-n)
This remedy is
indicated when anxiety develops before a big event.
(Examples: an interview for job, an exam, a public
speech, social engagement, marriage, etc.).
Symptoms
Emotional upset
Fear
Anxiety
Extended period of unusual or continued mental
exertion
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Craving for sweets and salt. Craving for strong
flavors.
Enthusiastic and suggestible, with a tendency toward
peculiar thoughts and impulses.
Arsenicum album (Arsenicum,
Ars)
This remedy is
recommended for people who are deeply anxious about
their health, and extremely concerned with order and
security. Panic attacks often occur around midnight
or the very early hours of the morning. The person
may feel exhausted yet still be restless-fidgeting,
pacing, and anxiously moving from place to place.
These people may also have digestive problems or
asthma attacks accompanied by anxiety. They are
typically obsessive about small details and very
neat. They may feel a desperate need to be in
control of everything.
Symptoms
Anxious
Anxiety associated with later stages of head cold,
with sneezing
Asthma worse after midnight, fears suffocation while
lying down
Fearful
Irritable
Restless
Sleepiness but insomnia
Thirsty for frequent small drinks
Weak and exhausted
Desires air but sensitive to cold
Vomiting with or without diarrhea after eating and
drinking
Calcarea carbonica (Calc)
People who benefit
most from this remedy have a chilly constitution.
The slightest cold "goes right through them." They
have trouble keeping themselves warm. They have a
craving for sweets, and are easily fatigued. They
are dependable, solid people who become overwhelmed
from physical illness or too much work and start to
fear a breakdown. Their thoughts can be muddled and
confused when tired, which adds to the anxiety.
Worry and bad news may agitate them, and a nagging
dread of disaster (to themselves or others) may
develop. Fear of heights and claustrophobia are also
common.
Symptoms
Increased
perspiration
Night sweats
Cold hands and feet
Dizziness
Nausea
Ravenous hunger
Aversion to fats
Craving for eggs
Eyes sensitive to light
Pale face
Large appetite with slow digestion
Gelsemium (Gels)
This remedy is
indicated when you have feelings of weakness,
trembling, and mental dullness (being "paralyzed by
fear"). It is also useful when a person experiences
anxiety about an upcoming event such as stage-fright
about a public performance or interview, or anxiety
before a test, impending visit to the dentist, or
other stressful events. Chills, perspiration,
diarrhea, and headaches will often occur with
nervousness. Fear of crowds, a fear of falling, and
even a fear that the heart might stop are other
indications for Gelsemium.
Symptoms
Nervousness
Apprehension
Anxiety prior to an examination or public
performance
Fatigue and aching of whole body
Limbs, head, eyelids heavy
Headache
Scalp sore to touch
Sore throat
Lack of thirst
Dizziness, trembling, fatigue, dullness
Ignatia amara (Ignatia, Ign)
A sensitive person
who is anxious because of grief, loss,
disappointment, criticism, loneliness (or any
stressful emotional experience) may benefit from
this remedy. The primary factor for this remedy is
emotional stress, especially disappointment or
grief. Other indications are a defensive attitude,
frequent sighing, and mood swings. The person may
burst unexpectedly into either tears or laughter.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Sensation of a lump in the throat
Chills with fever
Thirst during chills
Chills relieved by warmth
Cramping pains in the abdomen or back
Headaches that feel like a nail driven into the side
of the head
Skin very sensitive to drafts
Introspective
Sad
Brooding
Tearful
Rejects company
Disappointed
Grieving
Insomnia from emotional distress
Nausea relieved by eating
Eating intensifies hunger
Kali phosphoricum
Indicated when a
person has been exhausted by overwork or illness.
Feels a deep anxiety and inability to cope. Jumpy
and oversensitive. May be startled by ordinary
sounds. Hearing unpleasant news or thinking of world
events can aggravate the problems. Insomnia and an
inability to concentrate may develop, increasing the
sense of nervous dread. Eating, warmth, and rest
often bring relief.
Symptoms
Exhaustion
Deep anxiety and inability to cope
Headaches
Jumpy and oversensitive
Startled by ordinary sounds
Backaches
Nervous digestive upsets
Lycopodium (Lyc)
Lycopodium patients
attempt to cover an inner sense of inadequacy by
putting up fronts, by pretending to be something
they are not. They feel anxiety from mental stress
and suffer from a lack of confidence. They can be
self-conscious and feel intimidated by people they
perceive as powerful. They can feel a deep anxiety
and fear of failure, when they take on
responsibility. They usually do well, once started
on a task.
Symptoms
Shakes head without
any apparent cause
Facial contortions
Gassy, constipation or diarrhea
Sour belching
Claustrophobia
Irritability
Digestive upsets with gas and bloating
Craves sweets, warm food and drink
Night cough
Wants to be alone
Cranky on waking
Bullying tendency
Fear of failure
Breaking down under stress
Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur)
The primary
candidates for this remedy are personally aloof but
have a social conscience and a desire to help
others. Deep emotions and a self-protective shyness
can make these people seem reserved, aloof, and
private. Even when feeling lonely, they tend to stay
away from social situations, not knowing what to say
or do. Easily hurt and offended, they can brood,
bear grudges, dwell on unhappy feelings, and isolate
themselves. They refuse consolation even when they
want it. They are often sympathetic listeners to
other people's problems. Claustrophobia, anxiety at
night (with fears of robbers or intruders),
migraines, and insomnia are often seen when this
remedy is needed.
Symptoms
Tongue feels dry
Mucous membranes dry
Nausea
Insomnia
Claustrophobia
Migraine headache
Vomiting
Pains around eyes
Craves salt and dry foods
Weepy but won't let others see it. (Wants to be
alone to cry.)
Consolation aggravates them
Angry from isolation
Fright, grief, anger
Nervous, discouraged, broken down
Depressed
Phosphorus
Indicated when the
victims are openhearted, imaginative, excitable,
easily startled, and full of intense and vivid
fears. Strong anxiety can be easily triggered just
by thinking of almost anything. They are nervous and
sensitive to others. They can overextend themselves
with sympathy to the point of feeling exhausted and
"spaced out" or even getting ill. They need a lot of
company and reassurance. They often feel better from
conversation or a back-rub. Easy flushing of the
face, palpitations, thirst, and a strong desire for
cold, refreshing foods are other indications for
Phosphorus.
Symptoms
Anxious
Fearful
Weak
Associated with hoarseness
Tight heavy chest
Dry rasping cough
Burning pains in stomach, abdomen, between shoulder
blades
Thirst for cold drinks that are vomited
Nausea
Night sweats
Pulsatilla (Puls)
People who need this
remedy often express anxiety as insecurity and
clinginess, with a need for constant support and
comforting. They fear being alone. They are easily
discouraged, moody, tearful, whiny, even emotionally
childish. Getting too warm or being in a stuffy room
often increases anxiety. Anxiety around the time of
hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual periods, or
menopause) often is helped with Pulsatilla.
Symptoms
Sensitive
Weepy
Wants attention and sympathy
Changeable symptoms and moods
Craves open air
Sensitive to heat
Dry mouth with lack of thirst
Rich food upsets stomach
Insomnia from recurring thought
Head colds
Loose cough, worse at night
Delayed menstrual period with scanty flow
Silicea (Silica)
Indicated for those
who are capable and serious, yet are also nervous,
shy, and subject to bouts of temporary loss of
confidence. Anxiety can be extreme when they are
faced with a public appearance, interview,
examination, or any new job or task. Worry and
overwork can bring on headaches, difficulty
concentrating, and states of exhaustion,
oversensitivity, and dread.
Symptoms
Worry
Overwork
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Exhaustion,
Oversensitivity
Overreact and devote attention to tiny details
Low stamina
Frequently catch colds, sore throats, or other
illnesses. |
