Anxiety

Anxiety; we all think we know what this is. We all have anxiety at times, as part of the flight/fight self preservation mechanism. Some people suffer from anxiety as a “disease”; this is when, the levels of anxiety and the lengths of time it affects the person are causing them harm.

Panic attacks with the attendant hyperventilation are a visible form of the problem but the real suffering often goes un-noticed. Constant anxiety drains all the energy, self confidence and happiness out of a person.

Depression, especially in a severe form, leaves a victim almost numb, not feeling much at all, but an anxiety sufferer is all too aware of their feelings and fears. Fear is usually involved in a tangible way and so the kidneys are involved with anxiety. Kidney problems may be one of the contributing causes or prolonged anxiety may weaken the kidneys. We all get tired, stressed, down, and miserable.

We all suffer times of grief; part of life’s rich pattern, but constant never ending anxiety is a different thing and needs treatment if the victim is to have a better quality of life. Treatments range from chemical based:

• Medications
• Counseling
• Flower remedies
• Homoeopathic remedies
• Yoga
• Feel good treatments- massage
• Aromatherapy etc- magnets
• Shiatsu and so on.

A combination of treatments; if affordable; usually produce better results. Feel good treatments have the effect of a temporary relief but they also remind the emotional part of the victim, that feeling good is possible and that being relaxed is possible. This helps other treatments, or at least slows the emotional reaction “nothing can help me” Magnetic therapy can help in several ways, the relief of localized aches and pains will obviously reduce anxiety about those pains, while improved energy flow around the meridians helps the overall system to help itself.

Improving blood and energy flow, easing knotted muscles and joints all aid relaxation and so help relive the anxiety. Of course willing the lottery might also help some sufferers but even without that, we can work to help most people. Magnets or magnetic therapy jewelry around the neck, on the upper back- either side of the spine, on the wrists and at the basic acupuncture points- Spleen 6 large Intestine 4 Stomach 36 will all help Anxiety in the over 60’s tends to be of the “worst case; what if” type If I go on this coach trip there might be an accident, or I might be left behind. If I go out in the car it might break down. The bank might go bust and I can not get any money etc.

The chances of these things happening are very slight and so logic and rational thinking say they can be ignored but to a person with anxiety problems these are real tangible possibilities; attempting to use rational argument will not work as the reaction will be “you can not be certain it will not happen” Many of the anxieties that affect older people, and often adversely affect their relationship with those who love and care for them; are centred around a fear of becoming forgetful and/or a fear of having their money stolen.

We all forget things from time to time but mostly pass this off as just a fact of life, for those suffering from anxiety this becomes a real fear that they are becoming senile and suffering from dementia. One fear, that is based on reality, is a fear of being hurt in a fall. A fall by an elderly person can have repercussions far worse than a similar fall would have in a younger person. In addition to broken bones that take much longer to heal, is the fear that they will fall any time they engage in some form of activity.

They stagnate due to this fear and become physically frail, feeding the fear and it all becomes a downward spiral. In my part of the UK the NHS has a web site devoted to this problem and possible solutions Causes .Why do people of any age become anxious to the point where it has an adverse affect of their lives? The answer seems to lie in a combination of low self esteem and a perception that they- the victim- have lost control of their own life. The modern “world”, where everything seems to be controlled by some government agency, or some corporate institution, makes these feelings of lost control much worse. It is a paradox but some attempts to “Help” older people actually drive out the very last vestiges of self esteem they had left. This makes there situation even more depressing.

What to do about all of this?

Do things to enhance your own self esteem, do things that give small levels of satisfaction and success and build on these slowly. Try to keep control of your own life. Use the network of friends and contacts you have built up over many years. Learn to use E mail and keep in touch with people you may have only exchanged Christmas cards with for years. If you care for an elderly person suffering from anxiety, then try to find things they can do and make sure they realize they have done it. Help them be self sufficient rather than dependent. It can be frustrating standing by, while a person of any age takes a while to do something that you can do quickly, but remember it is their life, their self esteem, their control over themselves that is important. As an older person try to keep yourself active physically and mentally.

If you do have a fall, then the use of support bandages with magnetic strips inserted in them, on injured joints, (see picture) allow a faster return to normal activity. Anecdotal evidence, tells us that the use of the high quality Active bracelets from Magnetic Therapy Ltd. can be very beneficial in retaining activity levels. This is probably due to the generally uplifting benefits of improved circulation of blood and energy.

Use Magnetic Therapy to stay active, keep the circulation going, and keep using the mind- do puzzles, sudoku, crosswords, Eat a healthy diet. Take the trouble to cook and look after yourself. Make the effort. Surf the net, use your local library. Get in touch with your local Age Concern; Join your local over 60’s group. All these things help prevention and reduce the levels of the condition. In order to promote Magnetic therapy and expand the number of people with knowledge to help others, there are now “On Line” Courses in magnetic therapy. www.magnetictherapy.co.uk The courses are designed to provide sufficient anatomy and physiology to ensure the magnets are used to the best advantage.