Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness. Untreated anxiety disorders can push people into avoiding situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. People with anxiety disorders are likely to suffer from depression, and they also may abuse alcohol and other drugs in an effort to gain relief from their symptoms. Job performance, school work, and personal relationships can also suffer.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

• General Anxiety Disorder involves chronic, repeated episodes of anxiety fear and dread accompanied by physiological symptoms.
• Phobic Disorder is an irrational, persistent, exaggerated fear of a specific situation or object and avoidance of the dreaded stimulus.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurrent thoughts, feelings or actions that are unpleasant and which provoke anxiety.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) results from major trauma and include the re-experiencing of the trauma and emotional numbing.
• Panic Disorder involves severe attacks of overwhelming anxiety and is characterized by panic attacks.

• Pounding heart or chest pain
• Sweating, trembling, shaking
• Shortness of breath, sensation of choking
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling unreal or disconnected
• Fear of losing control, "going crazy," or dying
• Numbness
• Chills or hot flashes

• Overwhelming feelings of panic and fear
• Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts
• Painful, intrusive memories
• Recurring nightmares
• Physical symptoms such as feeling sick to your stomach, "butterflies" in your stomach, heart pounding, startling easily, and muscle tension

Many people who suffer from anxiety find it important to consider natural treatments first because if unsuccessful, it can mean a lifetime of taking anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medications, many of which are highly addictive. There are complementary and alternative therapies that can help will many anxiety disorders. For example, research has shown Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) to be an effective therapy for PTSD. Other examples include meditation and relaxation training, both of which have been used successfully in the treatment of anxiety. Additionally, there are many other natural therapies that have been shown useful in treating anxiety.

Of course, there are times when anxiety disorders are so severe and disabling that medication is required. Even in such cases, natural therapies can often reduce the amount of medication needed as well as unwanted side effects.