CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Stress and Anxiety

Stress-related disorders can include mental health disorders that are a result of an atypical response to both short and long-term anxiety due to physical, mental, or emotional stress. These disorders can include, but are not limited to obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Stress is a conscious or unconscious psychological feeling or physical condition resulting from physical or mental 'positive or negative pressure' that overwhelms adaptive capacities.It is a psychological process initiated by events that threaten, harm or challenge an organism or that exceed available coping resources and it is characterized by psychological responses that are directed towards adaptation. Stress is wear and tear on the body in response to stressful agents. Hans Selye called such agents stressors and said they could be physical, physiological, psychological or sociocultural. And stress is not an anxiety disorder and it is not a normative concept.

A person typically is stressed when positive or negative (e.g., threatening) experiences temporarily strain or overwhelm adaptive capacities. Stress is highly individualized and depends on variables such as the novelty, rate, intensity, duration, or personal interpretation of the input, and genetic or experiential factors. Both acute and chronic stress can intensify morbidity from anxiety disorders. One person's fun may be another person's stressor. For an example, panic attacks are more frequent when the predisposed person is exposed to stressors.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Anxiety is a worry about future events, and fear is a reaction to current events. These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and shakiness. There are a number of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism. The disorder differs by what results in the symptoms. People often have more than one anxiety disorder.

The cause of anxiety disorders is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include a history of child abuse, family history of mental disorders, and poverty. Anxiety disorders often occur with other mental disorders, particularly major depressive disorder, personality disorder, and substance use disorder. To be diagnosed symptoms typically need to be present for at least 6 months, be more than what would be expected for the situation, and decrease functioning. Other problems that may result in similar symptoms include hyperthyroidism; heart disease; caffeine, alcohol, or cannabis use; and withdrawal from certain drugs, among others.

Without treatment, anxiety disorders tend to remain. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, counselling, and medications. Counselling is typically with a type of cognitive behavioral therapy. Medications, such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or beta blockers, may improve symptoms.

About 12% of people are affected by an anxiety disorder in a given year, and between 5% and 30% are affected at some point in their life. They occur about twice as often in females as males and generally begin before the age of 25. The most common are specific phobia which affects nearly 12% and social anxiety disorder which affects 10% at some point in their life. They affect those between the ages 15 and 35 the most and become less common after the age of 55. Rates appear to be higher in the United States and Europe.

  • African drumming: a holistic approach to reducing stress and improving health?

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    Abstract Title:

    African drumming: a holistic approach to reducing stress and improving health?

    Abstract Source:

    J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2014 Jun ;15(6):441-6. PMID: 24983262

    Abstract Author(s):

    Carine Smith, Jeandre T Viljoen, Lauren McGeachie

    Article Affiliation:

    Carine Smith

    Abstract:

    AIMS:Very little data are available on the physical requirements for drumming and the potential health benefits of particularly djembe drumming. We hypothesized that djembe drumming constitutes low-to-moderate intensity exercise, and that drumming would simultaneously reduce stress and anxiety levels and benefit cardiovascular health.

    METHODS:Two study populations, middle-aged experienced drummers and a younger novice group participated in 40-min djembe drumming sessions. Measurements of blood pressure, blood lactate and stress and anxiety levels were taken before and after sessions. Also, heart rate was monitored at 5-s intervals throughout each session.

    RESULTS:Participation in drumming significantly decreased the Stress Anxiety Index scores acutely, both in a middle-aged (P < 0.01) and younger population (P < 0.001). SBP was significantly decreased in the older population postdrumming (141 ± 24 vs. 153 ± 26  mmHg; P < 0.01). Blood lactate levels remained below 4  mmol/l in all individuals and together with heart rate suggest that drumming may be categorized as low-to-moderate intensity exercise.

    CONCLUSION:Djembe drumming may improve cardiovascular health, without the cardiovascular risks to unhealthy or older populations that are associated with higher intensity exercise, and at the same time may decrease stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, participation in drumming did not result in acute hypotension in normotensive individuals.

  • Effect of Integrated Yoga Module on Selected Psychological Variables among Women with Anxiety Problem. 📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Effect of Integrated Yoga Module on Selected Psychological Variables among Women with Anxiety Problem.

    Abstract Source:

    West Indian Med J. 2014 Jan 17 ;63(1):83-85. Epub 2014 Jan 17. PMID: 25303199

    Abstract Author(s):

    S Parthasarathy, K Jaiganesh, Duraisamy

    Article Affiliation:

    S Parthasarathy

    Abstract:

    The implementation of yogic practices has proven benefits in both organic and psychological diseases. Forty-five women with anxiety selected by a random sampling method were divided into three groups. Experimental group I was subjected to asanas, relaxation and pranayama while Experimental group II was subjected to an integrated yoga module. The control group did not receive any intervention. Anxiety was measured by Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale before and after treatment. Frustration was measured through Reaction to Frustration Scale. All data were spread in an Excel sheet to be analysed with SPSS 16 software using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Selected yoga and asanas decreased anxiety and frustration scores but treatment with an integrated yoga module resulted in significant reduction of anxiety and frustration. To conclude, the practice of asanas and yoga decreased anxiety in women, and yoga as an integrated module significantly improved anxiety scores in young women with proven anxiety without any ill effects.

  • Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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    Abstract Title:

    Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    Abstract Source:

    Med Hypotheses. 2012 May ;78(5):571-9. Epub 2012 Feb 24. PMID: 22365651

    Abstract Author(s):

    C C Streeter, P L Gerbarg, R B Saper, D A Ciraulo, R P Brown

    Article Affiliation:

    Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Abstract:

    A theory is proposed to explain the benefits of yoga practices in diverse, frequently comorbid medical conditions based on the concept that yoga practices reduce allostatic load in stress response systems such that optimal homeostasis is restored. It is hypothesized that stress induces (1) imbalance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with decreased parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, (2) underactivity of the gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) system, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system, and (3) increased allostatic load. It is further hypothesized that yoga-based practices (4) correct underactivity of the PNS and GABA systems in part through stimulation of the vagus nerves, the main peripheral pathway of the PNS, and (5) reduce allostatic load. Depression, epilepsy, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain exemplify medical conditions that are exacerbated by stress, have low heart rate variability (HRV) and low GABAergic activity, respond to pharmacologic agents that increase activity of the GABA system, and show symptom improvement in response to yoga-based interventions. The observation that treatment resistant cases of epilepsy and depression respond to vagal nerve stimulation corroborates the need to correct PNS underactivity as part of a successful treatment plan in some cases. According to the proposed theory, the decreased PNS and GABAergic activity that underlies stress-related disorders can be corrected by yoga practices resulting in amelioration of disease symptoms. This has far-reaching implications for the integration of yoga-based practices in the treatment of a broad array of disorders exacerbated by stress.

  • Stress and Anxiety

    Stress-related disorders can include mental health disorders that are a result of an atypical response to both short and long-term anxiety due to physical, mental, or emotional stress. These disorders can include, but are not limited to obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

  • The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity.

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    Abstract Title:

    The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity.

    Abstract Source:

    J Med Assoc Thai. 2012 Apr ;95(4):598-606. PMID: 22612017

    Abstract Author(s):

    Winai Sayorwan, Vorasith Siripornpanich, Teerut Piriyapunyaporn, Tapanee Hongratanaworakit, Naiphinich Kotchabhakdi, Nijsiri Ruangrungsi

    Article Affiliation:

    College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Abstract:

    OBJECTIVE:Investigate the effects of lavender oil on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and mood responses in humans after inhalation.

    MATERIAL AND METHOD:Twenty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. The present study assessed autonomic parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to determine the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects were asked to estimate their mood responses such as feeling pleasant or unpleasant, uncomfortable, sensuality, relaxation, or refreshing in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal. Finally, electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 31 electrodes on the scalp according to the international 10 to 20 system, and EEG power spectra were calculated by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Data was analyzed by comparing the effects of lavender oil on physiological and mood states with sweet almond oil. These assessments were measured before and after using paired t-test statistical procedure.

    RESULTS:The results revealed that lavender oil caused significant decreases of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature, which indicated a decrease of autonomic arousal. In terms of mood responses, the subjects in the lavender oil group categorized themselves as more active, fresher relaxed than subjects just inhaling base oil. Compared with base oil, lavender oil increased the power of theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha (8-13 Hz) brain activities. The topographic map showed obviously more scattering power in alpha range waves particularly in bilateral temporal and central area.

    CONCLUSION:The findings provided evidence the relaxing effect of inhaling lavender oil.

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