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Holistic Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

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Medically Reviewed

Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Diane Ridaeus

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr John Motl MD

Holistic treatment for anxiety disorders must be carefully managed as there are many root causes for anxiety. Medical, metabolic, and neurotoxicity issues are common, especially with ongoing anxiety disorders. For many, life traumas still haunt their everyday existence and are left unresolved. Here, at our licensed mental health facility, we can help find emotional resolve in a delicate and understanding way, guided by our experts.

Acute Stress Disorder

acute stress disorderAcutes stress disorder is often misdiagnosed. The diagnosis doesn’t only mean stress. According to the DSM, the stress here relates to a past trauma, or past trauma exposure.  A person experiencing days or months of being stressed out doesn’t necessarily meet the 9 or more symptoms required for a valid diagnosis of ACD. In the rush of a crisis, doctors are often unprepared to take the time for a thorough and searching medical exam and other diagnostic tools.  And the following is a common example of that. 

Tammy was a 52-year-old schoolteacher in the Seattle area. Her 24 year old daughter Jill was getting married in 6 weeks to a successful business owner and the couple were observably happy and in love. Though on the surface everything looked fine, inside Tammy felt increasingly anxious about the upcoming wedding preparations. As the wedding day approached, Tammy became more and more anxious about the myriad of details, worrying about issues that she felt she had little to no control over. Her sleep was erratic, her diet became neglected, opting for fast food or sugary snacks eaten in a rush.  A friend told her to go see her doctor and get some help. She did just that, and due to her acute stress levels, the doctor diagnosed Tammy to be suffering from “acute stress disorder,” and prescribed only one of the treatments advised in the DSM, which was a benzodiazepine to help calm her nerves. Diet correction, improved sleep hygiene, exercise, mindfulness and other psychotherapy tools as listed in the DSM were all ignored in her doctor’s treatment suggestions. And more importantly, the physician’s initial diagnosis was incorrect.

Acute stress disorder is prone to misdiagnosis.

The acute stress symptoms did abate for about a week. However, when Tammy was into the second week of her prescription, she found she couldn’t sleep for several days in a row. In an exhausted state, she continued to ruminate about the upcoming wedding, began drinking alcohol to “ease her nerves”, and eventually had a complete meltdown and ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Doctors told her she’d had a toxic reaction to the drugs, and one specialist felt her prior symptoms were actually related to early onset menopause. That was over 2 years ago, and not only did Tammy not get to see her daughter’s wedding, she no longer can teach, and is now taking 6 prescription drugs to medicate the various symptoms which drove her life to ruins. 

Are there better choices besides numbing medications to relieve acute stress disorder symptoms?

When life is lived, one can expect stress levels to rise. Especially when encountering acutely stressful events, such as marriages, funerals, job losses, where the effects of these events may be further underscored by health conditions. This would be like adding fuel to the fire.

If life has become acutely stressful, perhaps a full battery of tests and non invasive, non harmful treatment options as listed in the DSM would be a more prudent option to consider as a first step. We also offer tapering programs for benzodiazepine withdrawal and recovery. Call us today to find out more about alternative treatments for acute stress, with or without a diagnosis of acute stress disorder.

Agoraphobia

agoraphobiaAgoraphobia is a condition of being fearful for no apparent or rational reason, of places like shopping centers, public transportation, outdoor spaces, gathering places, workplaces, open fields, and so on. Statistically, Agoraphobia is estimated to affect from 5 million to 20 million Americans.

Usually the agoraphobic person has lost the ability to inhibit the sensory stimulus from their environment. These symptoms are similar to a person who has a hangover as they have burned up all the inhibitory neurotransmitters the night before, and the next morning lights hurt, sounds hurt, etc. For the agoraphobic, it is often that this inability for the brain to modulate stimulus is a chronic situation.  

Agoraphobia may be challenging to diagnose properly.  

In the DSM, 2 or more continuing instances of irrational fear must be present for at least 6 months for a valid diagnosis of agoraphobia. There are other criteria as well, such as thoughts of being unable to escape from that location or situation, not being able to find help if they became incapacitated by fear or by a panic attack, and especially if other medical conditions are also present, the fear or anxiety must be clearly excessive. Other criteria are that the person requires a companion and many others. The time it may take to establish a valid diagnosis would be quite extensive, taking into account these and other criteria. The more typical approach would be just to pull out the prescription pad for an SSRI like Prozac, Zoloft, or perhaps Paxil, and send the patient on their way. 

Through investigating the possible underlying causes of symptoms, relief can be achieved and progress can be made with agoraphobia treatment.

The reactions and symptoms of agoraphobia are described as extremely overwhelming to those who suffer from them. Agoraphobics tend to stay indoors, avoiding any public gathering places or similar triggers. Treatment for agoraphobia has tended to reside in drugs, like SSRIs to numb these unwanted feelings of dread and overpowering fear and to calm the heart rate and slow down respiration.

Exciting progress has been made in researching the factors that may contribute to agoraphobic type symptoms. Examples include dietary modifications to reduce overproduction of adrenaline, exercises like slow stretching to remove lactic acid in the muscle tissues, nutritional supplements like the amino acid taurine, which can greatly relieve the symptoms commonly associated with agoraphobia.

Another important therapeutic approach is orthomolecular — repairing the neurochemistry using targeted neurochemical precursor therapy, and the removal of impairing neurotoxins.  In these ways, it is possible to achieve a lasting result in abating agoraphobia type symptoms

Agoraphobia treatment without the use of mind-numbing drugs.

Are you tired of not being able to live life as you perhaps once did, and being afraid of life? Here at Alternative to Meds Center, one of our goals is to help individuals who have been searching for a non-medication based protocol to find relief from their agoraphobia type symptoms, or other concerns.  ATMC’s approach to treatment is to search for underlying factors which can be found by thorough lab testing, counseling, and other assessments that can lead to treatments that work, and do not further injure the person. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD can manifest in extreme ways for some individuals, and is often hard to control with medication alone.

obsessive compulsive disorderWho doesn’t have an obsessive compulsion or two:
“I think that I turned off the stove, let me go back and just double check one last time.”
“I know I said I wouldn’t buy another (chocolate bar, dress, car, etc.) but I can’t help myself – I absolutely have to have one.”

The problem of making a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder ( OCD ) might be said to be one of degree, more than anything else. Anyone can obsess a little bit over routine or not unusual things, as mentioned above. When the obsessive behavior begins to impede quality of life, would be one especially important marker symptom that might signal the need for obsessive compulsive disorder treatment options.

Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms are found most often in the high IQ, as it requires quite complex thinking patterns to maintain the activity. Such things as counting breaths, or steps, or fixating on certain number patterns, or activities may seem absurd to others, and for this very reason are sometimes kept secret. That alone can cause distress and invite self-criticism and further rumination on these compulsive activities and thought patterns. Often, the repeated compulsive actions are to provide relief from a symptom of worsening anxiety that builds up and this is the general pattern. A certain level of anxiety is driving the compulsive behaviors. It’s a matter of what makes someone feel comfortable, safe and secure, what turns off the symptoms, and the logic used to assuage such actions and habits.

We can help replace compulsions and obsessions with healthy and positive behaviors.

Often, a very high level of anxiety is present in a person who is involved in extremes of habitual actions, without which habitual actions, their anxiety level would be completely debilitating. That is why SSRIs or other, even multiple drugs are commonly prescribed to bring the level of anxiety or self criticism to a more tolerable level.

But these drugs usually come with their own additional negative side effects. And they stop “working” eventually according to the medical literature. It is interesting to note that since serotonin is considered to be the anti-rumination neurochemical, it is thought that its deficit is possibly linked to obsessive compulsive disorder. Adequate serotonin would tend to cancel or neutralize the impulse of acting on a feeling like wanting to die. Unfortunately, no drug makes serotonin.  

In fact, adequate amounts of serotonin are not achieved in taking antidepressants. Existing serotonin is spent, but not increased or replaced by these antidepressants. Happily though, it is possible to boost serotonin naturally using orthomolecular protocols and treatments that seek to repair neurochemical production and distribution in the body. Hence, this is a treatment approach that can provide relief from this grinding affliction.

We investigate all possible avenues of underlying causes and potential corrections to sustain relief from symptoms.

According to the DSM, CBT and other more novel forms of behavior-based therapy might help. And though not first-line recommended treatment, if antidepressants are prescribed for OCD, they have to be prescribed at much higher dosages than for symptoms like depression. That doesn’t sound too promising, does it? 

From observing and testing thousands of clients at ATMC, we have found that having a more balanced neurochemistry will calm these impulses and compulsive thoughts, worries, behaviors and other symptoms. At Alternative to Meds Center, we have helped many people suffering from OCD symptoms, by holistic, non-drug-based means alone. And, where drugs have been over prescribed, we can assist this as well with safe, measured withdrawal.  In these ways, one is able to regain the energy that springs from the well of good health. The Alternative to meds Center welcomes you to call for more information about how we can help treat OCD symptoms without medication for real and significant results. .

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD can be an overwhelming problem — however it can be resolved when properly addressed.

post traumatic stress disorderIt is a very sad fact indeed that post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) is fast becoming one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions not only in the US, but in the world. Perhaps in part because we live in an environment of ongoing war and militarism, unpredictable societal trouble, stress and strife in many areas of modern life on planet earth. But notably, the DSM has increased by 50% the various trigger labels for the condition. While it’s true that life can be stressful, and unfortunately, people are subjected to various traumas that are hard to recover from, these facts don’t always support a valid diagnosis that can lead to multiple prescription drugs.  

Let’s look at an example of someone who has suffered from trauma, and then later experiences post traumatic stress disorder symptoms. A sadly common scenario is a soldier (who we can call Sally) who witnesses or experiences a forceful trauma. In Sally’s case, a bomb goes off nearby and she is left momentarily blinded and deafened, and has received a shrapnel wound to her face. Many years later, her physical wounds are healed. She returns home to a regular job, and family, and her diet consists of regular grocery store type foods, fast foods to some degree, and she is glad to be safe and home. This ex-soldier is walking down the street one day and noticed a brown paper bag on the sidewalk. She suddenly stops, feels a panicked feeling as her body is flooded with adrenaline, and realizes it’s probably not a bomb, but walks around the bag anyways, just in case. She is almost hyperventilating as she continues down the street, and will have a nightmare about this later that evening. She is suffering from PTSD symptoms.

Rather than drugging the person, we address this condition with customized methods including improving the physiological and psychological factors that can bolster Sally’s innate “armor” against such reactive symptoms.

There are other choices besides numbing the symptoms with drugs.  A wide range of medications is often resorted to, often leading to polypharmacy as these tend not to be very robust solutions according to the DSM. Examples can be SSRIs, antipsychotics, sedatives, and others. If one is suffering from this debilitating condition, and medication is not the option desired for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, one can pick up the phone and call us. We can discuss alternative means of addressing the problem which do no further harm. Our specialty is not finding the right label, or the “right” drug, but tailoring a program that is going to help an individual recover their natural mental wellness without medication. If a person has already been prescribed one or medications, we provide safe and gradual medication tapering programs that can be blended with the use of alternatives to help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD. We invite you to call us to discuss the treatment options that are available to you.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety can be extreme to the point of feeling incapacitated; however, you don’t have to continue suffering from this feeling.

social anxietyThere can be a turning point when one becomes fed up with social anxiety, this troublesome condition which can keep one from doing the things one really loves, or can even turn one into a bit of a recluse.

It is very true that social anxiety symptoms are not so uncommon. In fact, many people suffer from some degree of social anxiety, and anyone can feel this at one time or another. But some people are factually disabled in their life because of it’s very daunting symptoms.

There is a specific set of criteria for a valid diagnosis of “social anxiety disorder”.

Extreme fear of embarrassing oneself in social situations, dreading an upcoming social event for days or weeks beforehand, fearfulness of being in any public or social situation with the attendant heart pounding, voice quaking, blood rushing to the head, and feeling like one might just faint — these are terrifically difficult symptoms that would put a damper on any party or social discourse. But they don’t always add up to a correct diagnosis of “social anxiety disorder”. 

According to the DSM, the condition must persist for a minimum of 6 months, and must involve the fear of being criticized, humiliated or rejected by others, and the same triggers must be present for each episode. For example, for Zak, the party at Jane’s house was severely dreaded for 2 weeks solid, because of a fear that a bad-tempered fellow named John was going to be there.  But then, the birthday party for Zak’s Uncle Bob was always a pleasant yearly event.  So this would not meet a true diagnosis. 

 In contrast, Juliana worked in an office of 50 people.  Self-described as extremely shy, she never ate in the lunch room, never conversed with co-workers, but sat facing the wall at her desk with headphones on or engrossed in paperwork.  When it was necessary to walk through the common area, she kept her head down and never looked at anyone.  If anyone did speak to her, she kept her head down, and only nodded in response. This happened at several jobs over several years, an unchanging pattern. A diagnosis of social anxiety might be “correct” here. 

But ATMC is not so much concerned with finding the correct diagnosis. Moreso, the correct treatment for each individual is paramount. This is where specifically addressing the condition can turn one’s life around in a big and positive way. More and more studies are ongoing in an attempt to trace any suspected factors that may be magnifying symptoms or causing them to linger. Some of these potential treatment factors might lean toward psychological counseling, changes in lifestyle, diet and nutrition, genetic disposition, toxicity burden, sleep hygiene, and others. As a note, if the anxiety is specifically related to a specific location, environmental medicine suggests checking for toxins that might reside in the air, the water, the rugs, even the furniture in that location. 

Additionally, a number of studies have been done to trace any neurological factors that could be detected and possibly treated with targeted nutritional therapy and other non-invasive methods. Instead of these interventions, the most common social anxiety treatments have traditionally been the prescribing of sedatives and tranquilizers to assist a person’s anxiety level.  Although medication might provide a temporary relief,  the sad truth is that these medications may mask symptoms, but do not cure the condition. And they may cause new symptoms to add to a person’s discomfort and troubles.

Instead of encouraging use of medications that temporarily relieve symptoms, we employ natural and science-based treatments that aim to address the condition head-on and create long-term relief without further compromising neurochemistry or creating medication dependence.

At Alternative to Meds Center, the treatments for social anxiety are healthy and even pleasant. Many people have experienced great relief from their social anxiety disorder symptoms through these methods. Call us for more information. One of our friendly and helpful staff would be more than happy to discuss options for treatment that are available for social anxiety and for many other distressing conditions.

Originally Published Dec 18, 2020 by Diane Ridaeus


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. John Motl, M.D.

Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine.  Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.

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