Anxiety

If you’re tired of struggling with anxiety and looking for a natural, holistic approach, we invite you to schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team to learn more about our services.

Dr. Johnson and Dr. Carey understand how challenging it can be to live with anxiety. Anxiety affects a significant portion of the population, and Washington DC is no exception. From high-powered jobs to high cost of living, each one of us is faced with a unique assortment of stressors and worries. For years, Thrive Naturopathic in Washington DC has helped hundreds of people reduce anxiety and related symptoms with natural medicine.

You may experience severe symptoms of anxiety like constant worry, panic attacks, and sleep disturbances. If that is the case, then you should seek treatment. Most likely, you’ve tried anti-depressants and stress medication, but perhaps those haven’t provided full relief. The good news is that functional medicine offers an alternative approach to treating anxiety that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of the condition.

7 Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is a complex condition that affects everyone differently. You might experience one set of symptoms while another person might experience something completely different.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek support and guidance from a functional medicine practitioner. By addressing the root causes of anxiety and promoting physical and emotional well-being, functional medicine treatments can help you achieve long-lasting relief from your symptoms.

 

People with anxiety often feel restless or on edge, with a constant sense of unease or nervousness. They may find it difficult to relax or unwind, even in comfortable surroundings.
Anxiety can cause physical tension and discomfort, leading to muscle pain and stiffness. This tension can also manifest in the form of headaches, neck and back pain, and other physical symptoms.
Anxiety can interfere with sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or achieve restful sleep. This can lead to fatigue and irritability, as well as exacerbate other symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety can lead to a constant stream of racing thoughts and worries, making it difficult to focus or concentrate. Individuals with anxiety may feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and find it challenging to calm their minds.
Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or anxiety that can be overwhelming and debilitating. During a panic attack, an individual may experience symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing.
While somewhat of a chicken and egg situation, stress and anxiety can cause gut issues. At minimum, many people with anxiety may feel a tightness in their stomachs or even indigestion during times of high stress.
Anxiety can cause individuals to avoid situations or activities that trigger their symptoms, leading to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal.

We Uncover the Causes of Your Anxiety

It might seem reasonable to assume that anxiety is caused by outside factors. But when we talk about anxiety in a medical setting, we often mean chronic anxiety where your body’s fight or flight mechanism is out of balance.

And this is a biological phenomenon that we can address using naturopathy and functional medicine. The first step in this process is to identify the cause of your chronic anxiety.

By identifying and addressing the root causes of anxiety, functional medicine treatments can help you achieve long-lasting relief from your symptoms.

  • Genetics

    Some individuals may be more prone to anxiety due to genetic factors. A family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions may increase an individual's risk of developing anxiety.

  • Trauma or stressful life events

    Traumatic events or prolonged periods of stress can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms. Examples of traumatic events may include abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or the death of a loved one.

  • Environmental factors

    Exposure to toxins, pollutants, or other environmental factors can also contribute to the development of anxiety. This may include exposure to mold, heavy metals, or other harmful substances.

  • Nutritional imbalances

    Certain nutritional deficiencies or imbalances can impact brain chemistry and increase the risk of developing anxiety. For example, low levels of magnesium, vitamin D, or omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to an increased risk of anxiety.

  • Hormonal imbalances

    Fluctuations in hormone levels can impact mood and contribute to anxiety symptoms. For example, imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, or cortisol may increase an individual's risk of developing anxiety.

  • Chronic illness or inflammation

    Chronic illness or inflammation can also contribute to anxiety symptoms. Conditions like autoimmune disease, chronic pain, or gastrointestinal issues may be linked to an increased risk of anxiety.

Functional Medicine Treatments for Anxiety

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 19% of adults in the United States experienced anxiety in the past year. Unfortunately, many people turn to conventional treatments like medication, which may provide temporary relief but often result in side effects or do not provide long-lasting benefits. In contrast, naturopathy and functional medicine treatments aim to support the body’s natural healing abilities, leading to sustainable improvements in physical and emotional well-being.

At Thrive Naturopathic, we offer a range of functional medicine treatments to support individuals experiencing anxiety. Here are three examples:

Nutrition and Lifestyle Modifications

Our team works with clients to identify dietary and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to their anxiety. For example, we may recommend a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, mindfulness practices like meditation, and exercise.

Botanical
Medicine

We utilize herbal remedies that have been shown to support the nervous system and promote relaxation. Herbs like passionflower, ashwagandha, and valerian can be beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety.

Advanced Testing and Hormone Health

Anxiety can be exacerbated by secondary conditions. For example, if your body cannot regulate cortisol production, you will feel more anxious without having a clear reason why. Or an auto-immune disease might cause chronic pain, which can lead to feelings of anxiety. By addressing these secondary conditions, we can bring down your overall stress and help you feel in control of your health.

Hope for Relief from Anxiety in Washington DC

The goal of this page is to reassure you that there is hope for individuals struggling with anxiety in Washington DC. Functional medicine offers a comprehensive health approach that addresses the root causes of anxiety, providing long-lasting relief from symptoms. Our treatments are natural and backed by science, and the team at Thrive Naturopathic is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health and well-being through personalized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs.

Let’s Discuss Your Health Goals One-on-One

Living with anxiety can be challenging, but it’s important to know that you don’t have to go through it alone. At Thrive Naturopathic, we specialize in providing functional medicine treatments that address the root causes of anxiety, promoting long-lasting relief from symptoms.

Our clinic in Washington DC is now accepting new patients, and we invite you to schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team to learn more about our services. Together, we can help you achieve optimal health

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