Dealing with anxiety

That worry wobble…

Anxiety is a state that most people will be familiar with to various degrees. It can be mild and occasional, to severe and persistent and take many forms.

Some people’s anxiety is focused on future events, such as an approaching exam or social occasion. Other people’s anxiety is more focused on things that have already happened; things that they may have said or done and now regret.

Are you more susceptible to anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion and is usually a signal that something doesn’t feel right, or even threatening in some way. In a healthy, balanced person the issue provoking anxiety can be identified then dealt with, thereby removing the anxious feelings and their source. However, if the anxiety-making issue has been dealt with but the anxiety remains then this shows a susceptibility towards anxiety.

People with a strong susceptibility towards anxiety (e.g. Blue body types or imbalances) will tend to experience anxiety in situations that most other people would not find anxiety-provoking.

Such people will usually have had early life experiences that have made them so susceptible to anxiety in later life; Perhaps they had an overly controlling and fearful mother who taught them that life is scary, or maybe they suffered a severe illness and narrowly escaped death.

Acute or chronic anxiety?

Essentially there are two types of anxiety; acute anxiety and chronic anxiety. Chronic anxiety is long-term, more complex and usually has its roots in early life. This type of anxiety can certainly be addressed with homeopathy but requires professional assistance.

Acute anxiety is short-term and usually triggered by a specific situation. Once that situation passes so does the anxiety. Acute anxiety can also be easily addressed by the home prescriber and doesn’t always need professional advice.

Acute anxiety is short-term and usually triggered by a specific situation

Homeopathic remedies for anxiety

There are a number of ways of dealing with anxiety. Here are a couple of homeopathic remedies that are good to have in your home first aid kit:

1. Aconite
This remedy is made from a plant called Monkshood and is useful for severe anxiety and fear following a sudden and violent traumatic incident such as an accident or even witnessing an accident.

The person requiring Aconite will have some or all of the following symptoms:

  • They look clearly anxious/fearful
  • Extreme restlessness and excitability, or frozen in shock
  • Pale face
  • Racing heart
  • Fear of death
  • Sensations of numbness/tingling especially lips and extremities

2. Argentum Nitricum (Arg-Nit)
This remedy is made from an extremely low dose of silver nitrate so it’s safe to use and is useful for anxiety about future events such as an exam or a social engagement.

The person requiring Arg-Nit will have some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Hurried feeling
  • Sense of apprehension/dread about the anticipated event
  • Unable to focus
  • Impulsive thoughts and actions
  • Nervous stomach – loose stools and wind

3. Arsenicum Album (Arsen-Alb)
This remedy is made from an extremely low dose of arsenic so it’s safe to use and is useful for anxiety about health matters.

The person requiring Arsenicum will have some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Obsessing over their symptoms; even minor symptoms they believe to be serious.
  • Fear of contagion – will avoid public loos, transport etc
  • Extreme fastidiousness, cleanliness
  • Restless
  • Tries to control others and everything around them
  • Chilliness
How to take homeopathic remedies for acute anxiety

These homeopathic remedies are available at most health food shops or online. They should be used in the 30th potency. This potency is the most commonly used dilution for off-the-shelf homeopathic products because they are extremely low dilutions and so are safe to use at home.

Try one of these remedies in the 30th potency 3 times a day for two days. You should see a significant improvement in your anxiety but if not, then stop taking the remedy and speak with a qualified expert. If they are helping, continue taking for a further five days if you need to.

Please note: this is general advice and if you follow it, it’s at your own risk. There is no substitute for a face-to-face visit with an expert practitioner and if the remedies do not help then you should seek advice from a professional homeopath.

This self-care health hack is from Superfied expert in homeopathy, Nick Taylor

Find out more about the Superfied Way