Complementary medicines for anxiety

Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, panic disorder, obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or may be secondary to the effects of a substance (drug of abuse or medication) or a general medical condition (e.g. hyperthyroidism). GAD is diagnosed in persons with excessive worry and anxiety accompanied by more than three somatic symptoms (i.e. restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance) which occurs more days than not for a period of at least 6 months.1 Australian surveys have revealed that up 36% of people may experience GAD over a 12-month period