Practical Applications of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Adults and Youth with Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

The use of complementary and alternative medicine C"M therapies is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for anxiety disorders in adults and youth. Parents often are reluctant to use antidepressants due to fear of potential side effects. Youth are often unwilling to participate in cognitive behaviour therapy C"T or it is not readily available. Practitioners are not always knowledgeable or open to considering C"M therapies for their patients. This chapter will review the definition of C"M, prevalence of C"M use, its safety and effectiveness and finally its practical applications. Four case studies are discussed in which practitioners were open to the use of C"M and collaborated successfully with parents of youth with anxiety disorders. Literature review is presented for use of vitamin D, melatonin, acupuncture, acupressure and craniosacral therapy.

Aromatherapy Effectivity in Controlling Anxiety, Respiration Rate, Pulse Rate, and Pain in Bronchoscopy

“…Epidemiologically, lung malignancy also shows the same thing where the incidence in men is greater than in women, but the incidence of lung which is still classified as moderate anxiety. 10,21,22 Even so, a statistically significant decrease in the score showed that aromatherapy in the treatment group effectively reduced HADS anxiety scores.…”

“…Koulivand et al reviewed the effect of lavender aromatherapy on anxiety, where there were improvements in anxiety and mood in patients in ICU care. 10,21,22 The active ingredients of citrus aromatherapy are similar to lavender, namely linalool and lynalyl acetate. Linalool inhibits acetylcholine release and alters the function of ion channels at the neuromuscular junction.…”

“…Sasannejad et al's study, stated that aromatherapy could reduce pain in acute migraine patients. 10,21,22 The analgesic effect of aromatherapy is due to the role of opioidergic neurotransmission in inducing analgesia.…”

“…Pain stimulation on bronchoscopy can be modulated through two pathways: the pain response, which is directly captured by the anterior cingulate cortex, then causes the perception of pain. [19][20][21] The main components of lavender GABAA receptors and increase the inhibitory tone of the nervous system. [22][23][24][25][26][27] Lavender aromatherapy also triggers activation of the parasympathetic nerves and reduces sympathetic nerve activity, thus playing a synergistic role in response to anxiety, including triggering a decrease in heart rate, reducing respiration rate, and lowering blood pressure.…”