Emdr and Anxiety
Anxiety is partially the effect of a past traumatic event or feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. After careful research, natural treatments for anxiety such as meditation and hypnotherapy are gaining in recognition among sufferers of common stress and also more serious anxiety disorders, but, of all these treatments, emdr therapy still holds the grounds to effective anxiety and trauma treatment.
There are many other alternatives to treating anxiety disorder aside from emdr treatment, the drugs and supplements, holistic methods. Holistic methods may help you to create a general reduction in stress through long-term lifestyle changes.
Treatment with Medication
it is always a good practice to hit any problem from the roots, instead of settling for instant fix. Remedies such as Xanax and Buspar are meant to treat the symptoms of anxiety, not address the root of the problem or the main cause.
Side effects of Xanax and other anti anxiety treatments may also have severe side effects including but not limited to;
- Hallucinations
- Rashes
- Mouth sores
- Yellowing of the skin
- Dry mouth and headache.
More over, prescribed anti stress medication can cause severe addiction and withdrawal symptoms if the dosage is reduced suddenly.
Treatment by Supplements
Ginseng and valerian are some of the many natural supplements that have been successfully used effectively to treat anxiety. Ginseng has been clinically shown to have positive results on anxiety, in addition to cardiovascular health, menopause, physical endurance and diabetes.
Side Effects of Supplements Treatments
The down sides of these supplements are as just like the medications, the beneficial effects slowly dissipate once the person(s) in question stops taking the supplements. Like prescription drugs, natural supplements fail to address underlying triggers behind anxiety and stress.
The good news is that medical directors and private practitioners are starting to embrace the holistic methods in combination with conventional techniques to treat anxiety. Studies, alongside with research have shown that physiological effects which happen in the body throughout holistic practices such as meditation and hypnotherapy is somehow similar to the side effects of emdr. In my own opinion, I still prefer emdr to any other means of anxiety and psychological treatments. For instance, during Transcendental Meditation, a style of meditation founded in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, mental activity is slowed down while alertness and clarity remain. In the case of actual physiological modifications, it consists of slowing of the metabolic rate, elevated cerebral blood flow and changes in muscle resistance. On the other hand, emdr allows the person to revisit the past and clear the memory of that particular trauma causing the effect. During this process, aggressiveness might develop due to the past memory being revisited which is somehow some of the side effects of emdr.
The modifications are a direct reaction to physiological changes induced by heightened and continuing stress. Following Transcendental Meditation, the patient reports feeling calm, pleased and better able to function both personally and professionally which is also the outcome of emdr therapy.
Other Natural Treatments
Hypnotherapy is another natural treatment for anxiety that’s increasingly starting to be accepted and validated in the medical community. Through guided imagery and positive associations, the patient works with the hypnotist to identify underlying triggers and causes behind anxiety-ridden behavior which is similar to the emdr process.
Hypnotherapy has also demonstrated promising good results for treating addictive behaviors like drinking, overeating, smoking and drug use. In the case of emdr, it was designed by Dr. Shapiro to deal with post trauma effects. What makes hypnotherapy so effective is that it cuts directly to the unconscious mind, where fears and phobias are housed. There are also physiological effects which occur throughout hypnotherapy (lessening of the heart rate, reduction of the stress inducing hormone cortisol etc.) which lessen overall anxiety and stress.
Emdr, drugs and supplements could be an immediate treatment for anxiety and stress and do guarantee a certain amount of effectiveness and relief. In fact, doctors might recommend medication as a means of getting a few of the more immediate symptoms under control. Nevertheless, if you’re experiencing an anxiety disorder or perhaps a heightened stress degree, be sure to inquire about natural treatments for anxiety like meditation and hypnotherapy.
A holistic approach, addressing both lifestyle and physical symptoms, can be a more effective treatment for anxiety than conventional methods, and might just be the answer for you.
Yours Sincerely
Engr. Prince Onaolapo Adeyemi