We all contain the propensity to become anxious or depressed for perfectly normal and healthy reasons. If we’re not anxious before performing on stage or under threat then there is something wrong with our fight or flight mechanism. If a loved one dies or a relationship ends then it’s natural to feel sad and depressed for a time for which counselling and a supportive environment are probably the best treatments. However, if these emotions continue for a prolonged period of time or were not precipitated by any event ie. you feel sad or anxious for no particular reason, then there is most probably a biochemical imbalance in the nervous system which is causing it to over or under react or perform.

Anxiety is classically described as a state of hypersensitivity due to increased adrenalin characterised by a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, sweaty palms and dry mouth etc. But it can also be expressed through constant nausea, diarrhoea or a feeling of always being on edge, tense or agitated. Depression can manifest in many different ways. For example, there may be insomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of appetite or increased food intake, weight loss or gain, but generally there is fatigue, loss of motivation, apathy, and low libido. The symptoms you experience reflect the different neurochemical balances that have been affected and therefore will affect the type of approach to treatment that will work best for you.

With increased stress levels comes increased adrenalin production and eventually cortisol. These are hormones that help us respond to stress. However, with prolonged levels of stress come persistently high levels of cortisol. Initially, this can cause insomnia, anxiety and low appetite as the balance of the pituitary gland is affected. Eventually it leads to low levels of serotonin and it is well recognised that low levels of serotonin is a principle defect in depression. Most modern antidepressants work as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or (SSRIs) which work to make more serotonin available to the brain. Other factors such as ongoing inflammation within the body (in such conditions as arthritis) can also predispose to depression.

So dealing with anxiety and depression naturally requires first a detailed case history to ascertain the probable pathways that have led to any imbalances. A practitioner may use anything from counselling and meditation, herbal and nutritional support for the nervous system, to lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce any predisposing factors and strengthen the mind. St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has become a popular and widely researched herbal remedy for depression and anxiety but its effectiveness is highly dependent upon the quality of the product. Nor is it the only natural method for improving or stabilising mood. It is also important to support and strengthen the nervous system with such herbs as Passiflora, Withania, and Scutellaria. As well as replenish the adrenal glands with Licorice or Rehmannia and the amino acid tyrosine. General adaptogens and tonics can help to boost our ability to deal with stress in the long term.

It is also important to remember that we are not our mind and that we can have mastery over it. It should be our servant not our director! Emotional traumas or stresses can lead to physical imbalances which in turn undermine the strength of our nervous system, just as long term illness or inappropriate lifestyles can in time affect similar neurochemical pathways and therefore our mood. A wholistic approach which works with the physical, mental and emotional needs of the person can help to move them towards a more long lasting improvement in their state of mind.