From the point of view of many patients who have suffered from anxiety too long, we are not handling their condition properly. Many patients claim that it seems no one really understands how to succesfully manage anxiety. Patients are not happy when we listen to them for an hour or so, and end up prescribing drugs in the end just the same. We are told that when we tell them to fight it out because they are not being strong enough this approach has never been helpful at all. One notices that those who have anxiety have more physical than mental symptoms , thus are often teased as being hypochondriac or psychosomatic. Again, making them feel worst.
How do we truly “accompany” a friend, a loved one,an office mate, a patient suffering from anxiety?
Often it is difficult because many of them are highly successful, known to be strong accomplished individuals. And we consider their fears and anxiety as illogical or too small to really bother about. They could continue to make loving and powerful contributions to their families and to society, if we could truly help them “become less anxious over their anxiety”.
We have been fortunate to have come across the valueable work of Dr. William Walsh, Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, and Dr. Abram Hoffer and many others. Through their research and outcome studies, we realize that there is a biochemical basis behind these anxieties and thus they can also be succesfully managed biochemically. A carefully designed nutrient program based on the specific laboratory test results is key to success. And our patients have generously shared how they are definitely feeling better. Understanding that there is a biochemical basis to their suffering has helped them so much.
We have also been introduced to the integrative appraoches to anxiety and the care of the mind , found in clinics and hospitals practising anthroposophic medicine. Because of their experience, we have been able to add organ therapies especially for the kidney for our patients who chose a more comprehensive program. Anthroposophic medicine has made it possible for us to understand these conditions better and therefore offer more possibilities for the persons and the families concerned. Thus the anthroposophic art therapies has become a vital component of our comprehensive programs. Perhaps, the program may ask of one to take part not just by taking the pills but also to give extra time, take responsibility, and do inner work. And for some individuals — this opportunity is just what they have been looking for. Having decided to take part they are becoming happier, more appreciative of their families , more understanding to their subordinates, actively involved in their communities. Simply, finding themselves again.
