Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders. There are many medications and treatments available, as well as anti-anxiety medications. However, many of them have serious side-effects and may cause some additional health complications.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorderSymptoms of social anxiety disorder are extremely unpleasant and can include: intense anxiety in social situations, avoiding social situations, physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, blushing, confusion, pounding heart and digestive problems including diarrhea.
Treatment with dietary supplementsBesides relaxation techniques for anxiety dietary supplements are commonly used today as an alternative to drug therapy. They won't cure the disorder itself but they are efficient in reducing the symptoms. Herbal supplements that may help reducing those symptoms are:
Kava kava - A crop used as an herbal remedy in treatment of anxiety depression and stress. It is non-addictive and produces euphoria and feeling of calm and relaxation. It is often used by sport and music performers, to help control muscle contractions, lessen anxiety in public performances and improve overall mental clarity and patience.
Valerian Root - for many centuries used to cure insomnia, nervous tension, hysteria, restlesness, and stress. It is a folk remedy that promotes feelings of calm, relaxing the nervous system and muscles and thus treating the disorders. It is often used as a nerving herb for many physical conditions such as headaches, arthritis or migraines. It has no side effects, except when used in large doses it may cause stomach ache, apathy or even mild depression.
L-theanine - a glutamic acid analog or amino acid derivate with great effects in reducing anxiety. It is commonly found in tea and is not addictive. An anti anxiety herb that has 98% of pure L-theanine is recommended to treat social anxiety disorder.
Passion Flower - a sedative with calmative properties often used to make a tea to treat insomnia, hysteria and pain. This is one of the safest herbs to use because it has no known side effects.
Seredyn - well known dietary supplement able to reduce the symptoms of chronic anxiety, stress and fatigue. It contains pure L-theanine, valerian extract and passion flower extract.
Rhodiola Rosea - used to improve mood and reduce mental fatigue, relax nervous system , help focus and improve general mental condition. However, it may cause insomnia in some patients and should be avoided during pregnancy as well as by those suffering from manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder)
ConclusionConsulting with doctor before taking any of these herbs is important, especially with the patients that are already taking medications or being subjects to any other kind of treatment. Herbs are helpful in reducing symptoms but they won't cure the actual condition. Considering a Behavioral Therapy may be the best solution to completely eliminate social anxiety.
Your thoughts on this
Loading...