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Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable anxiety and worry about things such as finances, health, professional life, etc.(1). Additionally, symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and insomnia are all characteristics of GAD. Like other anxiety disorders, the combination of mental and physiological distress in GAD often leads to issues with work and social life and results in an increased risk of depression, substance-abuse, and other health problems(1).

Treatment for GAD typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two, though a larger percentage of people tend to choose psychotherapy(1-3). We highly recommend neurofeedback for those with GAD who don’t respond well to conventional treatment and anyone looking for an alternative therapy with long-term benefits. Both Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and IV Therapy may serve as supportive therapies for GAD due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

 

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Extivita Therapies for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurofeedback Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Neurofeedback

IV Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

IV Therapy

Supplements for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Supplements

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Anxiety

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may help relieve symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to its anti-inflammatory effects(8-10). Evidence suggests that people with GAD have elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers as well as low levels of anti-inflammatory markers(11-12). Additionally, the degree of inflammation is correlated with the severity of GAD symptoms(12).

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extivita hood hbot patient chamber

Neurofeedback Therapy​ for Anxiety

Neurofeedback protocols for GAD typically reduce levels of hyperactivation by either 1) increasing slow wave (alpha and theta) activity or 2) decreasing excess fast wave (beta and high beta) activity. By increasing alpha activity, people with GAD may feel more relaxed and levels of cortisol (which increases stress) may decrease as well(4-5). Some protocols that increase both alpha and theta activity towards the back of head have shown to significantly reduce GAD, one to the point where patients no longer fit the diagnosis for GAD(6-7).

In some cases, people with GAD may also present with elevated beta activity which can contribute to anxiety and related symptoms. The specific protocol for someone with GAD depends on a careful analysis of that individuals qEEG brain map, their behavioral assessment, and their neurofeedback consultation.

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Neurofeedback
Nutritional IV Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Durham, NC

IV Therapy for Anxiety

We recommend the Myer’s Cocktail IV and Glutathione IV for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The Myer’s Cocktail IV contains Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to relieve anxiety symptoms by reducing the oxidative stress characteristic of GAD(13-14). It also contains Vitamin B complex and Magnesium, both of which have demonstrated anxiety-reducing effects(15-18). Glutathione is considered the β€œmaster antioxidant” and may alleviate GAD symptoms by decreasing oxidative stress and the cellular damage which it causes(19-20).

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References

  1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder | NEJM. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmcp1502514?casa_token=ua2BJzNxQFcAAAAA:lDCgJMKDpKvsVjHlyhiyot_pruwQdbYEZbjRN6GWD4vYgQxOPuVftwaaM_kwfGp6S8bZW9jQEF81FQ. Accessed 10 Feb. 2021.
  2. Cuijpers, Pim, et al. β€œPsychological Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.” Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 34, no. 2, Mar. 2014, pp. 130–40. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.01.002.
  3. Reinhold, Jennifer A., and Karl Rickels. β€œPharmacological Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults: An Update.” Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, vol. 16, no. 11, Taylor & Francis, July 2015, pp. 1669–81. Taylor and Francis+NEJM, doi:10.1517/14656566.2015.1059424.
  4. Chapotot, Florian, et al. β€œCortisol Secretion Is Related to Electroencephalographic Alertness in Human Subjects during Daytime Wakefulness.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 83, no. 12, Dec. 1998, pp. 4263–68. Silverchair, doi:10.1210/jcem.83.12.5326.
  5. Kamei, T., et al. β€œDecrease in Serum Cortisol during Yoga Exercise Is Correlated with Alpha Wave Activation.” Perceptual and Motor Skills, vol. 90, no. 3 Pt 1, June 2000, pp. 1027–32. PubMed, doi:10.2466/pms.2000.90.3.1027.
  6. Biriukova, E. N., et al. β€œP.3.041 Clinical and Neurophysiologicalefficacy of Neurofeedback in the Combined Therapy of Anxiety Disorders Resistant to Psychopharmacotherapy.” European Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 15, Jan. 2005, pp. S162–63. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/S0924-977X(05)80337-2.
  7. Dadashi, Mohsen, et al. β€œEffects of Increase in Amplitude of Occipital Alpha & Theta Brain Waves on Global Functioning Level of Patients with GAD.” Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 6, no. 1, Jan. 2015, pp. 14–20.
  8. Benson, R. M., et al. β€œHyperbaric Oxygen Inhibits Stimulus-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Synthesis by Human Blood-Derived Monocyte-Macrophages.” Clinical & Experimental Immunology, vol. 134, no. 1, 2003, pp. 57–62. Wiley Online Library, doi:https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2249.2003.02248.x.
  9. Zhang, Qixu, et al. β€œHyperbaric Oxygen Attenuates Apoptosis and Decreases Inflammation in an Ischemic Wound Model.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, vol. 128, no. 8, Aug. 2008, pp. 2102–12. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1038/jid.2008.53.
  10. Thom, Stephen R. β€œOxidative Stress Is Fundamental to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 106, no. 3, American Physiological Society, Mar. 2009, pp. 988–95. journals.physiology.org (Atypon), doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.91004.2008.
  11. Tang, Zhen, et al. β€œPeripheral Proinflammatory Cytokines in Chinese Patients with Generalised Anxiety Disorder.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 225, Jan. 2018, pp. 593–98. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.082.
  12. Hou, Ruihua, et al. β€œPeripheral Inflammatory Cytokines and Immune Balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Case-Controlled Study.” Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, vol. 62, May 2017, pp. 212–18. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2017.01.021.
  13. Gautam, Medhavi, et al. β€œRole of Antioxidants in Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 54, no. 3, 2012, pp. 244–47. PubMed Central, doi:10.4103/0019-5545.102424.
  14. de Oliveira, Ivaldo Jesus Lima, et al. β€œEffects of Oral Vitamin C Supplementation on Anxiety in Students: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS, vol. 18, no. 1, Jan. 2015, pp. 11–18. PubMed, doi:10.3923/pjbs.2015.11.18.
  15. McCabe, Delia, et al. β€œThe Impact of Essential Fatty Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Zinc Supplementation on Stress Levels in Women: A Systematic Review.” JBI Evidence Synthesis, vol. 15, no. 2, Feb. 2017, pp. 402–453. journals.lww.com, doi:10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-002965.
  16. LΖ°Ζ‘ng, Khanh vinh quα»‘c, and Lan Thi HoΓ ng Nguyα»…n. β€œThe Impact of Thiamine Treatment on Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” International Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, 4, Scientific Research Publishing, Sept. 2011, pp. 439–43. www.scirp.org, doi:10.4236/ijcm.2011.24073.
  17. Boyle, Neil Bernard, et al. β€œThe Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stressβ€”A Systematic Review.” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 5, 5, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, May 2017, p. 429. www.mdpi.com, doi:10.3390/nu9050429.
  18. Boyle, N. B., et al. β€œThe Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety.” Magnesium Research, vol. 29, no. 3, 3, John Libbey Eurotext, Sept. 2016, pp. 120–25.
  19. Forman, Henry Jay, et al. β€œGlutathione: Overview of Its Protective Roles, Measurement, and Biosynthesis.” Molecular Aspects of Medicine, vol. 30, no. 1–2, Apr. 2009, pp. 1–12. PubMed, doi:10.1016/j.mam.2008.08.006.
  20. Alpert, Michelle. β€œThe Diverse Benefits of Glutathione: A Key Antioxidant for Reversing Chronic Illness.” Alternative and Complementary Therapies, vol. 11, no. 5, Oct. 2005, pp. 241–45. DOI.org (Crossref), doi:10.1089/act.2005.11.241.

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