One in 6 Australians are currently experiencing depression, anxiety or both.
Almost 15% of Australians have been diagnosed with an anxiety related disorder in the last 12 months. This equates to over 2.5 million people. It is estimated that the cost to the economy is billions dollars- due to lost productivity because of mental health problems.
These statistics are sobering. Simply due to the enormity of the problem and the sheer number of people affected by it. It would not be an exaggeration to say that anxiety should be seen as a major social health disorder. It affects work, school, relationships and impairs the ability for individuals to enjoy life. This can lead to general feelings of low self -esteem. In recent years, more and more people are seeking natural remedies and other natural help for anxiety.
Anxiety can be the result of a sudden shock or event. It can also build up slowly over time, although usually there are several factors that come together leading to a medical diagnosis. Some factors are, personality type, difficult or abusive relationships, financial difficulties or illness (either physical or mental).
Anxiety can be classified into several types of disorders.
These include; Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ,Social Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ,Phobia related Disorders and separation anxiety (usually in children)
Each subcategory of Anxiety is treated in slightly different ways. There are specialists who are experts in diagnosing and treating these types of anxiety.
Beyond blue is a useful place to start to understand anxiety and depression.
Events such as early childhood trauma, accidents, illness and injury can all play a role in the eventual diagnosis of an anxiety condition.
Eventually, feelings of being disconnected from a true purpose in life may lead to a very harsh reality where illness has a very high probability of manifesting. Confusion and lack of inspiration (literally “in spirit”) makes life very difficult to navigate. Feelings of worthlessness and an inability to connect to other people in a meaningful way eventually lead to isolation. It is usually at this point that people reach out for help with their condition.
The main form of conventional treatment is to prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications or counselling with a psychiatrist or psychologist. People who are more holistic minded, may be more inclined to seek natural help for anxiety.
In recent years cognitive behaviour therapy has been used to help people challenge troublesome thoughts and emotions that often accompany mental health disorders.
Mindfulness is an effective technique that is being used widely to help people to stay present in their lives.
For those wanting natural help for their anxiety, Chinese Medicine is the obvious solution.
Chinese Medicine consists of several modalities. There is acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, gua sha and moxibustion.
When a patient presents for treatment with Chinese Medicine, the practitioner will decide which modality will be the most likely to help their condition. It may be acupuncture, herbal medicine or both.
A Doctor of Chinese Medicine will diagnose each person they see according to the “patterns” that they present with.
The patterns are ascertained by pulse and tongue diagnosis, together with observation of the complexion, palpation of the abdomen or body and asking pertinent questions regarding to the symptoms the patient may be experiencing.
Looking through the lens of Chinese Medicine, anxiety is often, although not always, diagnosed as a disturbance of the spirit or “Shen” (which is the spirit of the Heart).
Metaphorically, the Shen can be equated to a clear blue sky that is always present as the background to our life, connecting us to life and its potential.
Just as very dark clouds or even thunderstorms block our ability to see the blue sky, turbulent life events and relentless harmful thoughts and emotions often occlude the clear ever present Shen.
If the circulation of blood and energy is stuck in the body or not moving smoothly, thoughts and emotions may also become stuck, with fear, anger, or grief for example.
Chinese medicine treats these conditions-usually with acupuncture or herbs to reconnect the person with a deeper sense of self. This type of treatment aims at helping internal circulation to move smoothly, thereby enabling their Shen to be re-established. Feelings of stagnation in life are moved and a natural direct turning towards the future and less being defined by the past.
There is acute anxiety that comes and goes and there is chronic anxiety that has been constant for more than 6 months.
Both conditions can be helped with acupuncture or herbs. Acute anxiety will need less treatment. Usually once per week for a course of 6 treatments should see improvement.
For Chronic anxiety treatment may be twice per week initially leading to once per week and gradually tapering off until the condition improves.
At the Initial Consultation your practitioner will diagnose and set up a recommended treatment plan based on their knowledge, experience and their assessment of the severity of your condition. Even from the first treatment improvement can be seen, although it is rare that any condition will respond completely after one treatment. Ongoing treatment is required to see lasting results, just as when we go to the gym or exercise the results do come in time.
For an Initial Consultation and ongoing treatment please visit our website where you can book in on line or have a live chat with us. We are the pioneers of community style acupuncture in Australia and have completed over 50,000 treatments.
All practitioners are highly trained with at least a four year Bachelor degree, and we are all caring, compassionate and sincere.
Experience Acupuncture is operated by leading Sydney acupuncturist Ray Ford who is committed to making high quality acupuncture available to all people at an affordable price.
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