Anxiety, like other mental health issues, is a complex problem that can significantly affect quality of life. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can occur in any age group, and it appears that men and women are both equally as likely to develop anxiety symptoms. Today, anxiety is the most common mental health diagnosis in Americans.
There are 5 main types of anxiety disorders:
Though the various types of anxiety disorders may differ in their root cause, many of their symptoms overlap. Anxiety symptoms include:
At CentreSpringMD we focus on a functional medicine approach to anxiety in an effort to resolve the underlying cause(s) and restore balance not only to mental health, but physical health as well. Functional treatment for anxiety can be used alongside any conventional treatments providing a truly comprehensive approach.
Is It Really a Chemical Imbalance?
Current conventional treatment protocols for anxiety involving SSRIs are unsuccessful for as many as 30-50% of patients who seek help for anxiety. This reflects the often overlooked fact that the serotonin or chemical imbalance theory has never been fully validated in the scientific literature as the primary or only cause for anxiety.
When a patient experiencing anxiety seeks treatment, a functional doctor prioritizes understanding the underlying causes creating the anxiety itself. In other words, anxiety is a symptom of an underlying imbalance.
Like all mental health conditions, lifestyle, diet, environmental, and emotional triggers all play a role in mental wellbeing.
“It’s a gut feeling”
There is a huge and growing body of evidence connecting the health of the gut to the health of the brain. This includes factors like inflammation, parasites, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, fungal overgrowth, or dysbiosis in the gut
Your digestive system also produces neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which is responsible for feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Without proper digestive function, the gut cannot transmit and/or produce the chemical messengers that maintain mental wellbeing. Integrative medicine provides an effective, safe, and natural way to restore optimal mental stability and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Schedule an appointment, or call (404) 814-9808 to speak with a patient care coordinator.
Functional Medicine Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Treatment for anxiety disorders is most effective when part of a comprehensive program. Your functional medicine practitioner may recommend:
Nutrition
• Gut health & digestive function (address SIBO, Candida, imbalanced pH)
• Diet (food sensitivities, intolerances)
• Supplement recommendations
testing
• Heavy metal toxicity and detoxification function
• Gut function analysis
• Nutrient status
• Hormone testing (thyroid, cortisol, DUTCH testing)
complementary therapies
• Craniosacral therapy
• Energy healing, breathwork
Genetics & lifestyle
• Stress management
• Nutrition optimization (anti-inflammatory diet, omega-3 intake, etc.)
• Genetic testing
• Brain training
Begin your journey to cognitive wellness today.
Supporting Services for Anxiety Treatment
Brain Boost
Discover the influence your lifestyle has upon your chemistry, and understand how to functionally change the way you think, feel, and react. Many people are unaware of the connection between physical health and mental and emotional wellbeing. Brain Boost provides the guidelines you need to improve your daily habits to maximize brain health.
We evaluate: genetic factors, diet and lifestyle, toxin exposure and buildup, metabolism, and more which all regulate cognitive ability during all stages of life.
At CentreSpringMD, our integrative team has years of experience helping to optimize brain power, overcome brain fog, and achieve peak mental performance in people of all ages.
