Looking for non-medicated anxiety suggestions for my father.
Discussion
Had a lenghty conversation with my dad tonight and I discovered he was receiving treatment for non specific anxiety, (I'm unsure of what the prescription is atm).
He's always been a bit of a worrier, and two years ago had a prostrate scare, non cancerous but required surgery, then had a melanoma on his scalp, again fortunately prooving to by benign.
He's 77 this year and recently was diagnosed with a minor arythmic heart-beat which is entirely treatable but has added to his general anxious state.
I'm not in any way looking to go against the medicines he will undoubtably be prescribed, but as his main problem is anxiety I'm loathe to see him over-medicated when something more meditative and cereberal may help him self calm, he's an extremely intellengent and educated man and I'd love to help him with little meditation and self awareness.
Any suggestions or history with similar circumstance at this point would be gratefully received.
He's always been a bit of a worrier, and two years ago had a prostrate scare, non cancerous but required surgery, then had a melanoma on his scalp, again fortunately prooving to by benign.
He's 77 this year and recently was diagnosed with a minor arythmic heart-beat which is entirely treatable but has added to his general anxious state.
I'm not in any way looking to go against the medicines he will undoubtably be prescribed, but as his main problem is anxiety I'm loathe to see him over-medicated when something more meditative and cereberal may help him self calm, he's an extremely intellengent and educated man and I'd love to help him with little meditation and self awareness.
Any suggestions or history with similar circumstance at this point would be gratefully received.
Well I can start by telling you that anxiety will only add to any heart problems he has, as I'm sure the docs have told him. They say calm down etc and I know it's extremely hard when it's your heart that's your worry.
It's likely the docs will prescribe either SSRI's or anti-anxiety meds like Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Oxazepam etc) which are both great and proven to work in the short term, however you generally suffer the anxiety ten fold when withdrawing from these drugs. Also some SSRI's like Citalopram are known to contribute to heart issues, so it's worth being cautious there.
There are literally hundreds of natural/herbal/home remedies out there, but the best ones imo are:
Celestial Sleepytime Tea which contains Chamomile, Hawthorn and other relaxing, mildly sedative herbs, great afternoon - evening drink
Pure chamomile tea as an alternative, I believe Tetley's brand it as 'Calm' herbal tea but it's readily available in supermarkets.
Possibly visit the chemist and grab some Valerian root extract in tablet or tea form, very relaxing and ancient remedy for Anxiety/Insomnia
I would of course advise he speaks to his GP/Cardiologist before seeking herbal remedies as they can have interactions with any heart meds he might be on.
Then other ideas are, exercise (I'm sure the docs told him this), meditation, yoga, palates, breathing techniques are to name a few.
Unfortunately due to your father's age I have a feeling they will be keen to just bung him full of anti anxiety or SSRI meds and send him on his way.
Depending on his financial position, ultimately the BEST and most natural way of dealing with chronic, unspecific anxiety is to go for cognitive behavioural therapy. They do this treatment on the NHS however the waiting lists are huge (8-12months for consultation) in my area anyway. So going down the private route is going to get immediate results. This will lead to a permanent cure as it changes the way we think about anxiety and the way we approach worry.
Most importantly, is to cut out any kind of stimulant as they all aggravate both the heart muscles/cells and any anxiety. Caffeine, smoking, alcohol, sugar, E-numbers or refined sugars, processed food.
I hope this helps, my source of all this information is my own research over the years I have suffered from anxiety, heart palpitations etc etc.
There are lots of online sources, but also a lot of conflicting information out there
It's likely the docs will prescribe either SSRI's or anti-anxiety meds like Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Oxazepam etc) which are both great and proven to work in the short term, however you generally suffer the anxiety ten fold when withdrawing from these drugs. Also some SSRI's like Citalopram are known to contribute to heart issues, so it's worth being cautious there.
There are literally hundreds of natural/herbal/home remedies out there, but the best ones imo are:
Celestial Sleepytime Tea which contains Chamomile, Hawthorn and other relaxing, mildly sedative herbs, great afternoon - evening drink
Pure chamomile tea as an alternative, I believe Tetley's brand it as 'Calm' herbal tea but it's readily available in supermarkets.
Possibly visit the chemist and grab some Valerian root extract in tablet or tea form, very relaxing and ancient remedy for Anxiety/Insomnia
I would of course advise he speaks to his GP/Cardiologist before seeking herbal remedies as they can have interactions with any heart meds he might be on.
Then other ideas are, exercise (I'm sure the docs told him this), meditation, yoga, palates, breathing techniques are to name a few.
Unfortunately due to your father's age I have a feeling they will be keen to just bung him full of anti anxiety or SSRI meds and send him on his way.
Depending on his financial position, ultimately the BEST and most natural way of dealing with chronic, unspecific anxiety is to go for cognitive behavioural therapy. They do this treatment on the NHS however the waiting lists are huge (8-12months for consultation) in my area anyway. So going down the private route is going to get immediate results. This will lead to a permanent cure as it changes the way we think about anxiety and the way we approach worry.
Most importantly, is to cut out any kind of stimulant as they all aggravate both the heart muscles/cells and any anxiety. Caffeine, smoking, alcohol, sugar, E-numbers or refined sugars, processed food.
I hope this helps, my source of all this information is my own research over the years I have suffered from anxiety, heart palpitations etc etc.
There are lots of online sources, but also a lot of conflicting information out there
That's really useful thanks, he's active and always has been a non smoker, eats a balanced diet doesn't drink more than the odd glass.
I'll have a look with him at his caffeine intake as I know he loves his tea.
CBT may indeed help him get to the root of it, the non-specificness of it is frustrating for him as he feels he can't solve why he's feeling it.
Again thanks for the detailed reply.
I'll have a look with him at his caffeine intake as I know he loves his tea.
CBT may indeed help him get to the root of it, the non-specificness of it is frustrating for him as he feels he can't solve why he's feeling it.
Again thanks for the detailed reply.
I'd definitely say cognitive behaviour therapy or anything else that specifically aims to give him coping tools to use day-to-day - I don't think ordinary counselling would be much use.
I will note that medication does have a place in managing anxiety that is affecting someone's quality of life - don't completely rule it out. It's a valid tool.
I will note that medication does have a place in managing anxiety that is affecting someone's quality of life - don't completely rule it out. It's a valid tool.
he could try discussing with the GP the "Books on Prescription" scheme or e-CBT, if available within the locality. plus side is access, possible down side is that the self directed nature of the schemes requires the participant to be motivated for change and sufficiently psychologically minded to work alone.
enquire about waiting times for IAPT (Improved Access to Psychological Therapy) within the locality if a therapist-led treatment modality is the preference
regards
paul
enquire about waiting times for IAPT (Improved Access to Psychological Therapy) within the locality if a therapist-led treatment modality is the preference
regards
paul
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff