Anxiety & Depression
Treatment of Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety Conventional management usually involves pharmaceutical
treatments such as anxiety relieving drugs like diazepam (Valium). These
are only licensed for short term use but have been used long term in
the past leading to significant difficulty stopping them due to withdrawal
symptoms. Various antidepressants such as Dothiepin have sedating properties
and the group of drugs that includes Prozac has been found useful in
panic disorders. Beta-blockers can relieve tremors and palpitations.
Psychotherapy, reassurance and counselling are all useful as is cognitive behaviour
therapy and relaxation training.
Complementary techniques range from herbal and homeopathic remedies such as Passiflora
or Argentum Nitricum respectively, to acupuncture or hypnosis, which can help
with relaxation. These can all be effective with minimal risk of side effects
or dependency, and the hard scientific evidence for their use is gradually increasing.
Depression is treated with a variety of drugs including
tricyclic antidepressants such as Amitriptyline, selective serotonin uptake inhibitors,
such as Paroxetine (Seroxat) depending on whether the patient is agitated or ‘flat’.
Lithium can help stabilise the mood in manic states and, in intractable cases,
electro-convulsive therapy can make a significant difference. Psychotherapy,
family therapy and behaviour therapy can all be helpful.
Complementary equivalents include remedies containing St. John’s Wort which
is as effective as many conventional drugs with fewer side effects. It has a
long track record of more than 200 years’ use and is the most prescribed
anti-depressant in Germany. Homeopathic remedies include Aurum, particularly
in dark, suicidal depression and Natrum Muriaticum or Ignatia if grief is a significant
part of the illness. Acupuncture can also be helpful and combinations of these
treatments have an additive effect. Once again side effects are rare using these
techniques, and the evidence for their use and value is growing, particularly
in relation to the fact that they are often reported as being as effective as
conventional medications, but with far fewer side effects.
