Holistics Answers to My Drama?

The uses of complementary interventions are helpful in the treatment of anxiety and depression as they can support psychological treatment, psychotropic medications, and herbal medication regimes. Relaxation is one such complementary intervention that can be helpful for anxiety and depression in a variety of ways. For example, relaxation can act as a biofeedback mechanism to reduce blood pressure, decrease the heart rate, and control respiratory responses. Bourne (1995) explained that relaxation therapies can include natural breathing techniques and muscle group tension and relaxations. Relaxation therapy may be practiced 20 minutes per day in a quiet location with a comfortable temperature, preferably on an empty stomach, in loose clothing with a passive attitude (Bourne, 1995).

Relaxation therapy is not just beneficial to those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorders; it is beneficial for rare or special circumstance anxiety situations such as being pregnant or going to the dentist. Maternal anxiety is a fairly common occurrence during pregnancy and postpartum; however it is not recommended for the woman to consume drugs or herbal remedies to assist with reducing the anxiety so relaxation therapy is a natural solution. Relaxation therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety levels, maternal heart rate, as well as a reduction in cortisol (Teixeira, 2005).

Also, going to the dentist can bring about severe anxiety in patients and it may not be possible to take a sedative or a psychotropic medication if the patient has to transport themselves to or from the dental office. A worse scenario is that the anxiety can be so severe that patients avoid dental treatment all together and have poor dental health. In these cases relaxation therapy is an excellent alternative and patients should be encouraged to assess their coping skills and utilize a relaxation therapy prior to treatment that has worked for them prior (Biggs, 2003).

Meditation is an additional alternate therapy that can be of assistance to those suffering from anxiety or depression. Meditation can come in the form of a quiet, relaxing therapy in which a person works to gain control over their own physical responses to stress and they learn to control thinking patterns that may cause unnecessary stress responses to normal situations (Anxiety Disorders Treatment Center, 2007). For some meditation comes in the form of prayer to a higher power. Many find that prayer can help build confidence and can help a person feel that they are not alone but this technique often is benefited by professional help as well (Holistic Online, 2007).

Acupressure is a holistic therapy that involves pressure to specific areas of the body to release stress. Often this comes in the form of reflexology which is pressure point therapy for the feet or massage therapy in which trigger points (areas of tightened muscles) receive pressure that releases the muscles and the connective tissue. LaTorre (2000) notes that acupressure, albeit developed in ancient China, is used effectively by practitioners today to help release energy tensions which can cause a sense of relaxation and a reduction in anxiety. Massage therapy is perhaps the more popular alternative in Western culture but more traditional acupressure therapies can be accessed in most major cities.

An additional holistic therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression that is very popular in Boulder, CO (where I reside) is yoga. Yoga is a tradition that comes from India which has evolved into a variety of practices such as raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and tantra yoga (Carrico, 1997). The benefits of yoga include the mental and physical relaxation states which are similar to the properties of meditation as well as the focus on breathing techniques and physical stretching which are associated with relaxation. This activity can be performed alone but is most often performed in a social situation which can be beneficial to the anxious or depressed individual as it can help develop social support networks (Carrico, 1997).

Personally I believe in the biopsychosocial model of treatment for anxiety or depressive disorders as well as most all treatments. From this perspective I believe that psychotropics have their place in treatment, professional psychologists and counseling therapy are often necessary, and social techniques, which often come in the form of holistic therapies, are equally important. From a professional perspective it is important to inform or refer the patient to someone who can explain all of the available treatments for anxiety and depression so that the most effective treatment, or combinations of treatment, can be utilized.

Anxiety Disorders Treatment Center (2007). Meditation. Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from: http://www.anxieties.com/gad-step2c.php

Biggs, Q.M. (2003). The effects of deep diaphragmatic breathing and focused attention on dental anxiety in a private practice setting. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 77(2), 105-133.

Bourne,E.J.,(1995) The anxiety and phobia workbook - A step by step program for curing yourself of extreme anxiety, panic attacks and phobias. NY: MJF Books.

Carrico, M. (1997). Yoga journal’s yoga basics: The essential beginner’s guide to yoga for a lifetime of health and fitness. New York NY: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Ltd.

Holistic Online (2007). Overcoming fear and anxiety with prayer and spirituality. Anxiety. Retrieved November 6, 2007 from http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Anxiety/prayer_overcoming-fear.htm

LaTorre, M. A. (2000). Touch and psychotherapy. Perspective in Psychiatric Care, 36(3), 105-6.

Teixeira, J. The effects of acute relaxation on indicies of anxiety during pregnancy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 26(4), 271-6.