|
Balm - Melissa officinalis A useful herb in the treatment of mild anxiety associated with palpitation. |
Anxiety & Depression
Not a Mental Illness
Anxiety and Depression come hand in hand, although anxiety often begins the process. When the condition is chronic it becomes difficult to separate the two factors. One will surely follow the other unless interrupted by appropriate rehabilitation. Left untreated, the condition becomes cyclic and gains in intensity.
It is reassuring to note that patients suffering from anxiety, depression and related conditions such as phobias rarely 'crack up'. Such patients usually fear losing control and are afraid that they will have a breakdown or become mentally unstable, however they rarely do. Anxiety and depression may be side effects of more serious psychoses but do not necessarily lead to these.
Anxiety builds from suppressed stress. Anger and frustration are commonly experienced. Normal ways of expressing these stresses are through physical illness or through a process of acceptance and letting go. Temporary ways of relieving stress-related anxiety are physical exercise, shouting into a pillow or using relaxation techniques. Understanding the condition is also a useful and empowering tool.
Anxiety and depression often produce disrupted sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms become disturbed and fatigue results. The patient falls into a pattern of sleeping in the daytime and staying up late at night creating further disruption and fatigue.
People suffering anxiety and depression can be rehabilitated. Their disorders can be treated. They are not mentally ill and need to be reassured of this. Their very natural fears along with the social stigma of such illness add greatly to the anxiety already experienced.
It is necessary for the therapist to be able to discern between treatable anxiety and depression and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Patients suffering from the former are able to reason about their condition and realize that something is wrong whereas in the latter condition certain unrealities such as hearing voices are accepted as normal by the patient.
There is a higher incidence of anxiety and depression in people of high IQ or developed imagination. Intellectual people are used to directing their lives with their minds, a process which can develop into excessive control (see pain induced depression). The mentally agile or imaginative person projects ahead, reasoning things out and speculating with varying accuracy on outcome. Conversely, a less intellectual or less imaginative person will become passingly anxious or depressed without relating it to other problems or behaviour patterns, thus keeping stress within limits.
It is possible for a person to suffer an attack of anxiety and depression during a period of stress and yet never experience another.
Chronically anxious and depressed patients can in time become sensitised to food and other substances that they may have tolerated well in the past and can be slow to recover from illness and injury.
Anxiety and depression as side effects of other psychiatric disorders are not treatable using the methods outlined in these pages and the help of a psychiatrist is required.
Anxiety
An anxiety attack may be characterised by breathlessness, palpitations, agitation, worry, fear or panic. An aspect of anxiety is the build up of agitated fire energy in the nervous system as a result of stress, pushing or worry.
The patient may also experience a feeling of detachment. This occurs as a result of turning the energy of life inward and becoming centred in self (indicative of altered sensory perception). The senses begin to shut down in an attempt to prevent further sensory overload. During an anxiety attack food may taste different, ringing in the ears may be experienced and vision may be disturbed. This can take the form of tunnel vision, a sense of things being far away or the experience of things looking "wrong". This "wrongness" can affect any of the five senses. All of these can exacerbate an attack as the patient reacts and panics further.
The patient may have a pale, ashen complexion and sweat freely or feel clammy. A characteristic sickly body odour and halitosis may be detected. Gastric processes may also be disturbed and in extreme cases vomiting results.
Stress may be defined as personal pressures of various origins. These include attempting to deal with troubles beyond one's experience or level of confidence or living with unresolved fears or problems.
Sometimes anxiety sufferers instigate a habit of excessiveness and pushing. Whilst activity releases pressure, excessive activity can be very debilitating in the long term and the patient will suffer fatigue and massive fluctuations in energy and mood.
Worry may be a primary or secondary aspect of anxiety and easily becomes habitual. Worries may be specific or vague in nature. When the sufferer cannot put a finger on a satisfactory cause of the worry, phobias may eventually develop as a focus is sought.
The patient gains temporary relief when a tangible cause is identified a process that may become damaging if the period of relief is not utilised in solving the problem. Possible solutions may be seeking help from a doctor, natural therapist or counselor. If the opportunity is not taken, blame continues to be placed on the perceived cause and as this becomes habitual the problem is compounded. When anxiety cannot be resolved by being fastened to a cause, panic and worry set in and the patient becomes fearful of mental instability.
Anxiety induced hyperventilation can be controlled by the use of a paper bag. At the time of the attack hold the neck of a paper bag against the patient's face so as to create a mask-like seal. The bag will inflate and deflate as the patient rebreathes exhaled carbon dioxide, slowing oxygen intake and calming the breathing.
Other breathing difficulties are commonly associated with anxiety. One of these is stress breathing. Under normal circumstances it is healthy to breathe by moving the abdomen, the chest area remaining predominantly still. In an emergency situation when the body is called upon to react more strongly, breathing deepens and speeds up, the chest heaves and the apices of the lungs are brought into action. This stimulates the body to continue producing action-related chemistry. Stress induces a similar process in which the patient breathes by moving the rib cage and sometimes shoulder movement may also be detected. Bringing this to the patient's attention and teaching them the correct abdominal breathing can significantly reduce the cycle of stress-related chemistry.
Tension and spasming of the diaphragm muscle result in pain, respiratory distress and blockage of energy flow between the upper and lower body. The patient can be made aware of this tension and taught to consciously relax and drop the diaphragm, eliminating stress breathing and enabling oxygen to circulate correctly. This also helps control anxiety attacks.
The chronic anxiety sufferer becomes accustomed to the increased level of stress induced chemical activity in the body. The system accepts this as a baseline of activity and forgets what real relaxation feels like. Diligent use of relaxation techniques will in time re-educate the system. Very stressed patients may have difficulty with these techniques initially, however perseverance will eventually be rewarded.
Anger is an expression of accumulated fiery energy and positive ways of releasing this pressure are needed. One way is through regular exercise. Where the patient exerts excessive self-control relaxation should be taught, coupled with a more gentle approach to life and living. Excessive rigidity can be corrected through counseling and a process of self-forgiveness instigated.
Depression
This term is a medical one that is greatly misused in common parlance.
Depression may be chronic or acute. People suffering an acute episode feel totally weighed down and overwhelmed by the darkness of their emotion and may contemplate or attempt suicide as a means of escape. Thoughts of suicide often produce a great deal of fear that exacerbates the condition. It is interesting to note the difference in these thoughts between depressives and psychotics. Depressives frequently feel that the thought of suicide is foreign, originating outside their normal thinking and they fear the thought immediately afterwards, whereas the psychotic patient sees nothing abnormal in the thought.
Chronic depression may begin with an acute episode that subsides into a dulled state characterised by a reduced sense of well being.
Depression may present in the form of persistent lowered levels of function. The patient may be unaware of this or may suppress it by "coping", superimposing normal behaviour, a process that cannot be maintained indefinitely.
Depressives are often self indulgent as they seek to comfort themselves in their misery. The indulgence chosen varies with personal preference, though sex, food, cigarettes and drugs are frequently selected.
The very self-controlled patient may be able to mask deep depression and behave reasonably normally but will fall apart when cuddled or shown sympathy and understanding. This type of patient may become addicted to cuddles and sympathy as a trigger for releasing pressure.
In other cases a patient may not experience noticeable mood swings but continually functions at a lower level that is often misdiagnosed as M.E. or some other illness associated with listlessness and fatigue.
Anxiety and depression may be triggered by events such as:
Pain Induced Depression
Emotional changes experienced in the initial stages of pain are predominantly a direct result of chemical and physiological changes occurring as a reaction to pain.
In the long term, depression may result as pressure builds at a subconscious level and seeks an outlet. This can even occur in cases where the person is patient and apparently in control of the emotions. On the other hand patients with a low pain-tolerance and little control may also suffer depression, however the onset may be much sooner. Pain tolerance varies from person to person and Flower Essences will assist in regulating individual psychological response to pain. Those who exert rigid self-control may be treated with Oak and the extremely sensitive with Walnut. The patient must be encouraged to exercise trust and to know that the adverse circumstance will pass.
Pain may disrupt the sleep pattern as it holds the patient close to the physical world. Sleep is shallow and the delta phase of sleep is disturbed. There is a place for sleep inducing medication in these cases but extreme care must be taken in its prescription. Many of these medications themselves cause holes in the web that may further contribute to fatigue and depression. A balance needs to be struck in assessing benefits gained opposed to possible side effects. The length of time a patient is kept on them must also be given careful consideration.
The treatment of depression will generally consist of the appropriate adrenal tonic, homoeopathic stress formula, and a lymphatic drainer, Star of Bethlehem supported by the specific depression herb(s). Also useful are Lady's Slipper and Valerian.
Post-Natal Depression.
There are a number of contributing factors to be considered in assessing cases of postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is frequently linked to an attitude of inflexibility in adapting to change. This may manifest as hormonal change and associated reactions and requires treatment from both physical and psychological points of view.
Career women and extremely house-proud individuals are particularly susceptible, being unaccustomed to chaos, broken routine and the extra workload that come with a new baby. Many twentieth century women strive for self-improvement and self-realisation and this focus, although praiseworthy in itself, often cannot be maintained to the same extent after the arrival of the new born. If flexibility is not practiced reactions to these disturbances of cherished patterns contribute to postnatal depression.
In certain cases postnatal depression is the result of a seesawing effect begun during pregnancy. Such patients have been excessively maternal and overly involved with their pregnancy. This is a form of over excitement and rebounds to the extreme lethargy of postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is also associated with holes torn in the web. These may originate from the trauma frequently accompanying childbirth and are exacerbated by postnatal anxiety and emotional disturbance.
People who suffer from depression tend to turn inwards and this is also the case with postnatal depression. The patient sometimes has insufficient outward nurturing energy to efficiently sustain breast-feeding and difficulties may be experienced further adding to stress levels.
The use of personalised Flower Essences including Star of Bethlehem is indicated. Counselling is recommended to assist in attaining perspective and to help in formulating a realistic plan to enable the patient to cope with routine daily tasks.
Phobias
If anxiety continues for an extended period one or more phobias can develop, these being an unconscious expression of how badly the patient is feeling. Phobias can be a channel to release the pressures of anxiety and depression. The patient becomes vulnerable to stresses and small-unresolved fears are seized and built upon. Phobias vary greatly. In some cases the patient's fears may be specific but in others fear is experienced without a recognised focus. Phobias and fixations can develop when the person perpetuates aberrations that spontaneously come to mind or which are associated with an anxiety attack. These become a focus and are built upon and perpetuated by worry, fear and anticipation of further attacks.
Phobias tend to have connections between present day disability and experiences from childhood or past lives. An event from the past or an inaccurate memory from childhood may become a target of blame, a process that may be conscious or unconscious. Where no logical explanation for the fear can be found, it is possible that it originated in a previous life. Association plays an important role in the formation of a phobia. For example, if the patient experiences a couple of anxiety attacks while in enclosed places, association may instigate claustrophobia and the next time a close space is entered, anxiety symptoms reappear. The probability of recurrent severe attacks increases with the patient's conscious knowledge of the connection.
People with disorders involving distorted sensory perception are in fact suffering the beginnings of phobias that in most cases remain minor. Balance can be regained through deliberate use of the five senses.
More advanced phobias may encompass excessive and unrealistic fears such as a fear of encountering ghosts or the devil or fear of committing terrible acts. Such fears frequently manifest as distressing mental imagery or fearful feelings of what might happen. Phobic attacks may be accompanied by physical sensations.
Fear of being unable to breathe is also sometimes associated with anxiety even in the absence of any real physical disorder. For example in the case of claustrophobia the patient may feel heavy or experience abnormal thoracic sensations.
Antiphobic herbs aid the closure or healing of holes in the web. Observing the patient and noting repetitive gestures and unconscious fiddling may give an indication of the position of a breakage in the web. Use Garlic and Lady's Slipper.
Agoraphobia
The agoraphobic person has holes in the web that let in inappropriate energies. Energy also leaks out of the energy outlet points (see Fig. 1 below) and the energy storage reserves become depleted, thus extreme fatigue is usually experienced after an agoraphobic attack. During the attack itself, the patient frequently finds it difficult to breath in deeply. Herbs useful in the treatment of agoraphobia include Sandalwood and Myrrh dabbed on the energy points and Walnut Flower Essence orally.
Claustrophobia
The inability to exhale fully is associated with claustrophobia. This is also a symptom of asthma and asthmatics frequently suffer from claustrophobia.Holes in the web allow quantities of inappropriate energy to pour in and as a result energy outlet is slowed.
Herbs useful in the treatment of claustrophobia must have the opposite action to those used to treat agoraphobia. Use Rosemary for the rigidly self-controlled patient who is prone to development of claustrophobia.
Aquaphobia
In its most severe form, aquaphobia is the fear of deep water and often of drowning. In its minor form it may include a disinclination to come into contact with water. These patients wash themselves in the interests of hygiene but will take a sponge bath in preference to immersion. This aversion is often accentuated when the patient is tired or unwell.
Those who develop aquaphobia need to be retrained as described in the treatment of fixations. A useful herb for this condition is Damiana, the water balancer. The Mineral Salts, Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Phosphate are often indicated, though it may be found that Magnesium Phosphate is more frequently useful. Question the patient to determine this.
Fixations
A fixation is an overwhelming fear that is not associated with anxiety, depression or other disorders. An example is an extreme irrational fear of mice. The patient may be retrained so as to be able to recognize the harmlessness of the mouse and to respond in a more balanced manner. This is done in gradual stages in a non-threatening environment over a long period of time. The process may begin with discussion, next the patient may be asked to look at a photograph, then a video. Eventually he or she is able to look from a distance at a person holding a mouse. The ultimate aim is for the patient to be in close proximity to, or even touch a mouse without fear.
This process can be supported with natural remedies such as a homoeopathic stress formula and Saffron to aid lymphatic flow and disperse shock.
Compulsive Behaviour
Compulsive behaviour is closely related to phobic behaviour and is the result of a strong or overwhelming urge to perform an irrational act or ritual. It takes various forms, some inconsequential but others are seriously disruptive to the sufferer's way of life. It is a way of expressing pent up pressure and fear of losing control.
This behaviour originates in the subconscious and is a desperate attempt to create a sense of stability and ensure that nothing undesirable will happen. People exhibiting compulsive behaviour are not mentally ill but anxiety and depression are associated.
Compulsive behaviour of a superstitious nature is common. The patient feels that an action must be performed a certain way to circumvent misfortune. For example a woman may feel that aligning a book on the coffee table in a particular way may cause her husband to return safely home and avoid an accident. Failure or refusal to perform this ritual generates a great deal of fear and anxiety. This type of incident is fairly harmless it itself however frequent occurrence becomes disruptive to life style, promoting anxiety which in turn encourages further compulsive behaviour.
Other harmless minor forms of this disorder are counting stairs or the number of posts along a roadside whilst traveling or the number of steps one takes when walking. Some people are afflicted by continuous music or rhythm playing in their minds. This may take the form of a specific tune playing repeatedly (most people have experienced this annoyance at some time) or it may be more general and varied.
Mild compulsives are able to conceal their abnormal behaviour, however severe manifestations are totally disruptive to normal living. Ritualistic behaviour may come to completely dominate the sufferer's life. The patient, for example, may take an hour or more with many repetitions just to turn off the light and open a door. This repetitive behaviour stems from a need for accuracy, if the task is not done just so, then it must be repeated. Such patients have many of these rituals and are quite aware of and distressed by the abnormality of their behaviour.
Many compulsives are afraid of knives and fear harm being caused by them. In some cases the patient is afraid of harming someone with the knife although the fear is frequently much more vague in nature than this. The patient may feel that things are better if knives are covered or placed out of sight, even to the extent of getting up at night to put away a knife that has been left in the sink. Probably knives are the objects of concern because they are the most commonly available weapons in the household. Women are more frequently affected than men.
The condition may be treated in two ways: through gradual behaviour modification and through extensive counselling. The practitioner needs to discover the roots of the patient's anxiety and provide help in fostering a sense of control in everyday life. These may be supported by appropriate orthodox and natural medication.
It is useful to note that some degree of Paranoia is often associated with compulsive behaviour.
Herbs useful in supporting the treatment of compulsive behaviour are Oak and Irish Moss which impart energy conducive to order and stability.
Treatment and the therapist's approach.
It is important that the therapist fosters a balanced attitude and eliminates personal reaction to the social stigma unfortunately associated with such conditions. This prejudice must be resisted and the patient reassured by a kind, sensible and factual approach. Professionalism dictates that emotional and mental disorders be treated in the same unprejudiced manner as problems of a physical nature.
It is essential to maintain clarity of vision when assessing and treating these conditions. Be aware that the root of the problem is often deeply buried and that superficial manifestations, though needing to be addressed, can be quite distracting. The patient requires consolation, reassurance of his or her sanity and assurance of the therapist's empathy.
When the patient feels muddled, the idea of adjusting to change of attitude is alien and this negative and confused way of thinking is a contributing factor to the condition. Also, it is useful to realize that it is human nature to distort memories of the past either positively or negatively. This can at times be extreme and may have considerable bearing on the patient's condition.
It is important to impress upon the patient that emotions produce chemical changes in the body and that this chemistry then influences and perpetuates the emotion that produced it. In time the chemical imbalance becomes so extreme that a swing occurs producing another chemical and emotional extreme and so the cycle continues. If this process is understood the patient is more likely to be able to take some measure of control in establishing a more positive cycle.
Patients in an acute phase need supportive orthodox and alternative medication. They must be encouraged to rest physically, mentally and emotionally. There is a need to back off, doing only the essential things and leaving major decisions until later. Help may be needed in identifying what is essential and what is not. This process may be assisted by the use of medical antidepressants. These may be required for an extended period, providing the patient with the opportunity to establish new habits.
As the acute stage passes it is possible to begin work on self esteem, personal expectations and goal setting, beginning gradually so as not to over-burden the patient. Giving the patient too much to do, too soon, merely produces further stress. Encourage the patient to accept personal responsibility for the circumstance and for creating positive progress.
Shock is a waste product of stress of all types. Over years, residual shock may build up in the nervous system as a result of pain, inflammatory chemistry or personal pressure. In time, the lymphatic system is slowed by this gradual congestion. Residual shock predisposes the patient to depression as well as being a by-product of it. An emergency prescription comprising the Flower Essences Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and a double measure of Star of Bethlehem will assist these patients. Associated adrenal exhaustion may be treated with Liquorice herb.
Massage can also be very helpful in the management of anxiety and depression as it aids in the relief of muscle spasm and tension and acquaints the patient with a feeling of relaxation.
Generally speaking, people suffering anxiety, depression or associated conditions should not be given crystals to wear or hold as part of their therapy. Crystals, though useful in many ailments, have the ability to magnify emotional energy and may make the patient more confused. If a crystal is prescribed, it must be good quality amethyst, very clear and deep in colour to encourage relaxation and a sense of ease.
If the patient is suffering sensory disorientation, difficulty with perception of reality or trouble coping with periods of extreme depression or anxiety, exercises involving use of the senses will help. These discourage self-absorption and cultivate accurate perception of external events. Use of the senses must be presented to the patient in a convincing manner. It must not be seen as an abstract or theory, rather as a concrete plan that will help. It can be explained that those suffering from a reduced sense of well-being tend to shut down and limit the use of the senses. (A house with all the windows and doors shut becomes stale, dank and airless.) The five senses are sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. As a general guide, the patient must practice using one sense a day for five days then all senses together for one day and then a day of rest. If it is perceived that the patient is particularly deficient in the use of one or two senses, the program may be adjusted to concentrate on rebalancing these.
Do not be afraid to recommend that the acute patient see a doctor. Frequently strong orthodox drugs are required and the natural therapist can support this treatment and work harmoniously with conventional medicine to the patient's benefit.
© Stephen G. Allen 2004
Anxiety and Depression come hand in hand, although anxiety often begins the process. When the condition is chronic it becomes difficult to separate the two factors. One will surely follow the other unless interrupted by appropriate rehabilitation. Left untreated, the condition becomes cyclic and gains in intensity.
It is reassuring to note that patients suffering from anxiety, depression and related conditions such as phobias rarely 'crack up'. Such patients usually fear losing control and are afraid that they will have a breakdown or become mentally unstable, however they rarely do. Anxiety and depression may be side effects of more serious psychoses but do not necessarily lead to these.
Anxiety builds from suppressed stress. Anger and frustration are commonly experienced. Normal ways of expressing these stresses are through physical illness or through a process of acceptance and letting go. Temporary ways of relieving stress-related anxiety are physical exercise, shouting into a pillow or using relaxation techniques. Understanding the condition is also a useful and empowering tool.
Anxiety and depression often produce disrupted sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms become disturbed and fatigue results. The patient falls into a pattern of sleeping in the daytime and staying up late at night creating further disruption and fatigue.
People suffering anxiety and depression can be rehabilitated. Their disorders can be treated. They are not mentally ill and need to be reassured of this. Their very natural fears along with the social stigma of such illness add greatly to the anxiety already experienced.
It is necessary for the therapist to be able to discern between treatable anxiety and depression and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Patients suffering from the former are able to reason about their condition and realize that something is wrong whereas in the latter condition certain unrealities such as hearing voices are accepted as normal by the patient.
There is a higher incidence of anxiety and depression in people of high IQ or developed imagination. Intellectual people are used to directing their lives with their minds, a process which can develop into excessive control (see pain induced depression). The mentally agile or imaginative person projects ahead, reasoning things out and speculating with varying accuracy on outcome. Conversely, a less intellectual or less imaginative person will become passingly anxious or depressed without relating it to other problems or behaviour patterns, thus keeping stress within limits.
It is possible for a person to suffer an attack of anxiety and depression during a period of stress and yet never experience another.
Chronically anxious and depressed patients can in time become sensitised to food and other substances that they may have tolerated well in the past and can be slow to recover from illness and injury.
Anxiety and depression as side effects of other psychiatric disorders are not treatable using the methods outlined in these pages and the help of a psychiatrist is required.
Anxiety
An anxiety attack may be characterised by breathlessness, palpitations, agitation, worry, fear or panic. An aspect of anxiety is the build up of agitated fire energy in the nervous system as a result of stress, pushing or worry.
The patient may also experience a feeling of detachment. This occurs as a result of turning the energy of life inward and becoming centred in self (indicative of altered sensory perception). The senses begin to shut down in an attempt to prevent further sensory overload. During an anxiety attack food may taste different, ringing in the ears may be experienced and vision may be disturbed. This can take the form of tunnel vision, a sense of things being far away or the experience of things looking "wrong". This "wrongness" can affect any of the five senses. All of these can exacerbate an attack as the patient reacts and panics further.
The patient may have a pale, ashen complexion and sweat freely or feel clammy. A characteristic sickly body odour and halitosis may be detected. Gastric processes may also be disturbed and in extreme cases vomiting results.
Stress may be defined as personal pressures of various origins. These include attempting to deal with troubles beyond one's experience or level of confidence or living with unresolved fears or problems.
Sometimes anxiety sufferers instigate a habit of excessiveness and pushing. Whilst activity releases pressure, excessive activity can be very debilitating in the long term and the patient will suffer fatigue and massive fluctuations in energy and mood.
Worry may be a primary or secondary aspect of anxiety and easily becomes habitual. Worries may be specific or vague in nature. When the sufferer cannot put a finger on a satisfactory cause of the worry, phobias may eventually develop as a focus is sought.
The patient gains temporary relief when a tangible cause is identified a process that may become damaging if the period of relief is not utilised in solving the problem. Possible solutions may be seeking help from a doctor, natural therapist or counselor. If the opportunity is not taken, blame continues to be placed on the perceived cause and as this becomes habitual the problem is compounded. When anxiety cannot be resolved by being fastened to a cause, panic and worry set in and the patient becomes fearful of mental instability.
Anxiety induced hyperventilation can be controlled by the use of a paper bag. At the time of the attack hold the neck of a paper bag against the patient's face so as to create a mask-like seal. The bag will inflate and deflate as the patient rebreathes exhaled carbon dioxide, slowing oxygen intake and calming the breathing.
Other breathing difficulties are commonly associated with anxiety. One of these is stress breathing. Under normal circumstances it is healthy to breathe by moving the abdomen, the chest area remaining predominantly still. In an emergency situation when the body is called upon to react more strongly, breathing deepens and speeds up, the chest heaves and the apices of the lungs are brought into action. This stimulates the body to continue producing action-related chemistry. Stress induces a similar process in which the patient breathes by moving the rib cage and sometimes shoulder movement may also be detected. Bringing this to the patient's attention and teaching them the correct abdominal breathing can significantly reduce the cycle of stress-related chemistry.
Tension and spasming of the diaphragm muscle result in pain, respiratory distress and blockage of energy flow between the upper and lower body. The patient can be made aware of this tension and taught to consciously relax and drop the diaphragm, eliminating stress breathing and enabling oxygen to circulate correctly. This also helps control anxiety attacks.
The chronic anxiety sufferer becomes accustomed to the increased level of stress induced chemical activity in the body. The system accepts this as a baseline of activity and forgets what real relaxation feels like. Diligent use of relaxation techniques will in time re-educate the system. Very stressed patients may have difficulty with these techniques initially, however perseverance will eventually be rewarded.
Anger is an expression of accumulated fiery energy and positive ways of releasing this pressure are needed. One way is through regular exercise. Where the patient exerts excessive self-control relaxation should be taught, coupled with a more gentle approach to life and living. Excessive rigidity can be corrected through counseling and a process of self-forgiveness instigated.
Depression
This term is a medical one that is greatly misused in common parlance.
Depression may be chronic or acute. People suffering an acute episode feel totally weighed down and overwhelmed by the darkness of their emotion and may contemplate or attempt suicide as a means of escape. Thoughts of suicide often produce a great deal of fear that exacerbates the condition. It is interesting to note the difference in these thoughts between depressives and psychotics. Depressives frequently feel that the thought of suicide is foreign, originating outside their normal thinking and they fear the thought immediately afterwards, whereas the psychotic patient sees nothing abnormal in the thought.
Chronic depression may begin with an acute episode that subsides into a dulled state characterised by a reduced sense of well being.
Depression may present in the form of persistent lowered levels of function. The patient may be unaware of this or may suppress it by "coping", superimposing normal behaviour, a process that cannot be maintained indefinitely.
Depressives are often self indulgent as they seek to comfort themselves in their misery. The indulgence chosen varies with personal preference, though sex, food, cigarettes and drugs are frequently selected.
The very self-controlled patient may be able to mask deep depression and behave reasonably normally but will fall apart when cuddled or shown sympathy and understanding. This type of patient may become addicted to cuddles and sympathy as a trigger for releasing pressure.
In other cases a patient may not experience noticeable mood swings but continually functions at a lower level that is often misdiagnosed as M.E. or some other illness associated with listlessness and fatigue.
Anxiety and depression may be triggered by events such as:
- An unremembered but disturbing dream, with the patient waking with mild disturbance that builds into acute anxiety or depression.
- Death of a loved one: the bereaved may cope for an extended period, but eventually the control cracks.
- Revisiting a place or memory from childhood may trigger confrontation of previously suppressed trauma.
- A period of extreme stress or trauma that releases previously suppressed unrelated pressure.
Pain Induced Depression
- Depression may be a result of chronic pain. Factors contributing to this are:
- The stress of enduring chronic pain.
- Mood-affecting chemical changes associated with pain.
- The frustration which comes from feeling helpless and out of control.
- Associated pressures such as loss of earnings and inability to function normally on a day-to-day basis.
Emotional changes experienced in the initial stages of pain are predominantly a direct result of chemical and physiological changes occurring as a reaction to pain.
In the long term, depression may result as pressure builds at a subconscious level and seeks an outlet. This can even occur in cases where the person is patient and apparently in control of the emotions. On the other hand patients with a low pain-tolerance and little control may also suffer depression, however the onset may be much sooner. Pain tolerance varies from person to person and Flower Essences will assist in regulating individual psychological response to pain. Those who exert rigid self-control may be treated with Oak and the extremely sensitive with Walnut. The patient must be encouraged to exercise trust and to know that the adverse circumstance will pass.
Pain may disrupt the sleep pattern as it holds the patient close to the physical world. Sleep is shallow and the delta phase of sleep is disturbed. There is a place for sleep inducing medication in these cases but extreme care must be taken in its prescription. Many of these medications themselves cause holes in the web that may further contribute to fatigue and depression. A balance needs to be struck in assessing benefits gained opposed to possible side effects. The length of time a patient is kept on them must also be given careful consideration.
The treatment of depression will generally consist of the appropriate adrenal tonic, homoeopathic stress formula, and a lymphatic drainer, Star of Bethlehem supported by the specific depression herb(s). Also useful are Lady's Slipper and Valerian.
Post-Natal Depression.
There are a number of contributing factors to be considered in assessing cases of postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is frequently linked to an attitude of inflexibility in adapting to change. This may manifest as hormonal change and associated reactions and requires treatment from both physical and psychological points of view.
Career women and extremely house-proud individuals are particularly susceptible, being unaccustomed to chaos, broken routine and the extra workload that come with a new baby. Many twentieth century women strive for self-improvement and self-realisation and this focus, although praiseworthy in itself, often cannot be maintained to the same extent after the arrival of the new born. If flexibility is not practiced reactions to these disturbances of cherished patterns contribute to postnatal depression.
In certain cases postnatal depression is the result of a seesawing effect begun during pregnancy. Such patients have been excessively maternal and overly involved with their pregnancy. This is a form of over excitement and rebounds to the extreme lethargy of postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is also associated with holes torn in the web. These may originate from the trauma frequently accompanying childbirth and are exacerbated by postnatal anxiety and emotional disturbance.
People who suffer from depression tend to turn inwards and this is also the case with postnatal depression. The patient sometimes has insufficient outward nurturing energy to efficiently sustain breast-feeding and difficulties may be experienced further adding to stress levels.
The use of personalised Flower Essences including Star of Bethlehem is indicated. Counselling is recommended to assist in attaining perspective and to help in formulating a realistic plan to enable the patient to cope with routine daily tasks.
Phobias
If anxiety continues for an extended period one or more phobias can develop, these being an unconscious expression of how badly the patient is feeling. Phobias can be a channel to release the pressures of anxiety and depression. The patient becomes vulnerable to stresses and small-unresolved fears are seized and built upon. Phobias vary greatly. In some cases the patient's fears may be specific but in others fear is experienced without a recognised focus. Phobias and fixations can develop when the person perpetuates aberrations that spontaneously come to mind or which are associated with an anxiety attack. These become a focus and are built upon and perpetuated by worry, fear and anticipation of further attacks.
Phobias tend to have connections between present day disability and experiences from childhood or past lives. An event from the past or an inaccurate memory from childhood may become a target of blame, a process that may be conscious or unconscious. Where no logical explanation for the fear can be found, it is possible that it originated in a previous life. Association plays an important role in the formation of a phobia. For example, if the patient experiences a couple of anxiety attacks while in enclosed places, association may instigate claustrophobia and the next time a close space is entered, anxiety symptoms reappear. The probability of recurrent severe attacks increases with the patient's conscious knowledge of the connection.
People with disorders involving distorted sensory perception are in fact suffering the beginnings of phobias that in most cases remain minor. Balance can be regained through deliberate use of the five senses.
More advanced phobias may encompass excessive and unrealistic fears such as a fear of encountering ghosts or the devil or fear of committing terrible acts. Such fears frequently manifest as distressing mental imagery or fearful feelings of what might happen. Phobic attacks may be accompanied by physical sensations.
Fear of being unable to breathe is also sometimes associated with anxiety even in the absence of any real physical disorder. For example in the case of claustrophobia the patient may feel heavy or experience abnormal thoracic sensations.
Antiphobic herbs aid the closure or healing of holes in the web. Observing the patient and noting repetitive gestures and unconscious fiddling may give an indication of the position of a breakage in the web. Use Garlic and Lady's Slipper.
Agoraphobia
The agoraphobic person has holes in the web that let in inappropriate energies. Energy also leaks out of the energy outlet points (see Fig. 1 below) and the energy storage reserves become depleted, thus extreme fatigue is usually experienced after an agoraphobic attack. During the attack itself, the patient frequently finds it difficult to breath in deeply. Herbs useful in the treatment of agoraphobia include Sandalwood and Myrrh dabbed on the energy points and Walnut Flower Essence orally.
Claustrophobia
The inability to exhale fully is associated with claustrophobia. This is also a symptom of asthma and asthmatics frequently suffer from claustrophobia.Holes in the web allow quantities of inappropriate energy to pour in and as a result energy outlet is slowed.
Herbs useful in the treatment of claustrophobia must have the opposite action to those used to treat agoraphobia. Use Rosemary for the rigidly self-controlled patient who is prone to development of claustrophobia.
Aquaphobia
In its most severe form, aquaphobia is the fear of deep water and often of drowning. In its minor form it may include a disinclination to come into contact with water. These patients wash themselves in the interests of hygiene but will take a sponge bath in preference to immersion. This aversion is often accentuated when the patient is tired or unwell.
Those who develop aquaphobia need to be retrained as described in the treatment of fixations. A useful herb for this condition is Damiana, the water balancer. The Mineral Salts, Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Phosphate are often indicated, though it may be found that Magnesium Phosphate is more frequently useful. Question the patient to determine this.
Fixations
A fixation is an overwhelming fear that is not associated with anxiety, depression or other disorders. An example is an extreme irrational fear of mice. The patient may be retrained so as to be able to recognize the harmlessness of the mouse and to respond in a more balanced manner. This is done in gradual stages in a non-threatening environment over a long period of time. The process may begin with discussion, next the patient may be asked to look at a photograph, then a video. Eventually he or she is able to look from a distance at a person holding a mouse. The ultimate aim is for the patient to be in close proximity to, or even touch a mouse without fear.
This process can be supported with natural remedies such as a homoeopathic stress formula and Saffron to aid lymphatic flow and disperse shock.
Compulsive Behaviour
Compulsive behaviour is closely related to phobic behaviour and is the result of a strong or overwhelming urge to perform an irrational act or ritual. It takes various forms, some inconsequential but others are seriously disruptive to the sufferer's way of life. It is a way of expressing pent up pressure and fear of losing control.
This behaviour originates in the subconscious and is a desperate attempt to create a sense of stability and ensure that nothing undesirable will happen. People exhibiting compulsive behaviour are not mentally ill but anxiety and depression are associated.
Compulsive behaviour of a superstitious nature is common. The patient feels that an action must be performed a certain way to circumvent misfortune. For example a woman may feel that aligning a book on the coffee table in a particular way may cause her husband to return safely home and avoid an accident. Failure or refusal to perform this ritual generates a great deal of fear and anxiety. This type of incident is fairly harmless it itself however frequent occurrence becomes disruptive to life style, promoting anxiety which in turn encourages further compulsive behaviour.
Other harmless minor forms of this disorder are counting stairs or the number of posts along a roadside whilst traveling or the number of steps one takes when walking. Some people are afflicted by continuous music or rhythm playing in their minds. This may take the form of a specific tune playing repeatedly (most people have experienced this annoyance at some time) or it may be more general and varied.
Mild compulsives are able to conceal their abnormal behaviour, however severe manifestations are totally disruptive to normal living. Ritualistic behaviour may come to completely dominate the sufferer's life. The patient, for example, may take an hour or more with many repetitions just to turn off the light and open a door. This repetitive behaviour stems from a need for accuracy, if the task is not done just so, then it must be repeated. Such patients have many of these rituals and are quite aware of and distressed by the abnormality of their behaviour.
Many compulsives are afraid of knives and fear harm being caused by them. In some cases the patient is afraid of harming someone with the knife although the fear is frequently much more vague in nature than this. The patient may feel that things are better if knives are covered or placed out of sight, even to the extent of getting up at night to put away a knife that has been left in the sink. Probably knives are the objects of concern because they are the most commonly available weapons in the household. Women are more frequently affected than men.
The condition may be treated in two ways: through gradual behaviour modification and through extensive counselling. The practitioner needs to discover the roots of the patient's anxiety and provide help in fostering a sense of control in everyday life. These may be supported by appropriate orthodox and natural medication.
It is useful to note that some degree of Paranoia is often associated with compulsive behaviour.
Herbs useful in supporting the treatment of compulsive behaviour are Oak and Irish Moss which impart energy conducive to order and stability.
Treatment and the therapist's approach.
It is important that the therapist fosters a balanced attitude and eliminates personal reaction to the social stigma unfortunately associated with such conditions. This prejudice must be resisted and the patient reassured by a kind, sensible and factual approach. Professionalism dictates that emotional and mental disorders be treated in the same unprejudiced manner as problems of a physical nature.
It is essential to maintain clarity of vision when assessing and treating these conditions. Be aware that the root of the problem is often deeply buried and that superficial manifestations, though needing to be addressed, can be quite distracting. The patient requires consolation, reassurance of his or her sanity and assurance of the therapist's empathy.
When the patient feels muddled, the idea of adjusting to change of attitude is alien and this negative and confused way of thinking is a contributing factor to the condition. Also, it is useful to realize that it is human nature to distort memories of the past either positively or negatively. This can at times be extreme and may have considerable bearing on the patient's condition.
It is important to impress upon the patient that emotions produce chemical changes in the body and that this chemistry then influences and perpetuates the emotion that produced it. In time the chemical imbalance becomes so extreme that a swing occurs producing another chemical and emotional extreme and so the cycle continues. If this process is understood the patient is more likely to be able to take some measure of control in establishing a more positive cycle.
Patients in an acute phase need supportive orthodox and alternative medication. They must be encouraged to rest physically, mentally and emotionally. There is a need to back off, doing only the essential things and leaving major decisions until later. Help may be needed in identifying what is essential and what is not. This process may be assisted by the use of medical antidepressants. These may be required for an extended period, providing the patient with the opportunity to establish new habits.
As the acute stage passes it is possible to begin work on self esteem, personal expectations and goal setting, beginning gradually so as not to over-burden the patient. Giving the patient too much to do, too soon, merely produces further stress. Encourage the patient to accept personal responsibility for the circumstance and for creating positive progress.
Shock is a waste product of stress of all types. Over years, residual shock may build up in the nervous system as a result of pain, inflammatory chemistry or personal pressure. In time, the lymphatic system is slowed by this gradual congestion. Residual shock predisposes the patient to depression as well as being a by-product of it. An emergency prescription comprising the Flower Essences Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and a double measure of Star of Bethlehem will assist these patients. Associated adrenal exhaustion may be treated with Liquorice herb.
Massage can also be very helpful in the management of anxiety and depression as it aids in the relief of muscle spasm and tension and acquaints the patient with a feeling of relaxation.
Generally speaking, people suffering anxiety, depression or associated conditions should not be given crystals to wear or hold as part of their therapy. Crystals, though useful in many ailments, have the ability to magnify emotional energy and may make the patient more confused. If a crystal is prescribed, it must be good quality amethyst, very clear and deep in colour to encourage relaxation and a sense of ease.
If the patient is suffering sensory disorientation, difficulty with perception of reality or trouble coping with periods of extreme depression or anxiety, exercises involving use of the senses will help. These discourage self-absorption and cultivate accurate perception of external events. Use of the senses must be presented to the patient in a convincing manner. It must not be seen as an abstract or theory, rather as a concrete plan that will help. It can be explained that those suffering from a reduced sense of well-being tend to shut down and limit the use of the senses. (A house with all the windows and doors shut becomes stale, dank and airless.) The five senses are sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. As a general guide, the patient must practice using one sense a day for five days then all senses together for one day and then a day of rest. If it is perceived that the patient is particularly deficient in the use of one or two senses, the program may be adjusted to concentrate on rebalancing these.
Do not be afraid to recommend that the acute patient see a doctor. Frequently strong orthodox drugs are required and the natural therapist can support this treatment and work harmoniously with conventional medicine to the patient's benefit.
© Stephen G. Allen 2004
(fig. 1) Energy Storage, Inlet & Outlet points of the body