What are the main alternatives to treat anxiety?
The list here includes most of the main options for anxiety but does not say what works and doesn't. Many may be used in combination. Most herbal and alternative therapies have not really been tested in the same rigorous way that medicines have. Obviously, these web pages are about choice and medication and so we will concentrate on medicines.
Our aim is to try to help people who are taking medicines (or should be) get the right medicine, dose and take it regularly for as long as is best. Any medicines should usually be part of the overall treatment, although some people are quite happy to just stick with medicines or talking treatments. If your medicines are right, then everything else can fall into place. If the medicines are wrong, then they may make the symptoms worse and self-help will not be as useful.
Self help
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Relaxation (e.g. using relaxation tapes, books and breathing exercises, in groups) and massage (about as effective as each other). It's a good idea to practice relaxation regularly, not just try to use it in an emergency or crisis
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Taking any medicines properly e.g. regularly and reliably if it is meant to be regular; or use it just when required if it is to help just when you need it
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Eating healthily and taking exercise (“exercise to energise”) or being active, to help boost your feeling of well-being
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Putting help from others into practice
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Making sure you don't drink too much caffeine e.g. cola-drinks, tea, coffee etc. Too much caffeine will make your symptoms worse and more difficult to cope with.
Help from others
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Talking therapies e.g. Short-term Psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – these may be better saved if self-help or medicines haven’t worked or if the symptoms are particularly bad. One small study showed their effect seems to continue over a year (Salzer, 2011)
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Reassurances e.g. self-help groups, support, help with the problems, talking to someone else about your anxieties
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Alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, hypnosis or hypnotherapy, homeopathy (treating like with like) can be used with (but not instead of) conventional treatments. Acupuncture is used a lot in many countries and may help anxiety, stress and insomnia. The evidence for these treatments is not very good. All of these can be used in conjunction with other therapies. If they work then that is fine and we wouldn’t knock them. Click here for a balanced review of complementary and alternative therapies from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (e.g. Ginkgo, Sage, vitamins, other herbals etc, and some useful links).
Medicines
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Medicines can help in two ways. Firstly, to help in the short-term to help a crisis. Secondly in the long-term (i.e. the anxiety just won’t go away) to help you get on with your life.
Updated 5.12