INDEX TO PAST COLUMNS
August 27, 1997
"Durgs are rarely the final answer to anxiety states."
NEXT WEEK:
Pollution & Pesticides
If you have a question or concern about healthy dietary
choices, send it to us in an e-mail message, and
we'll forward it to Dr. Attwood.
Anxiety and diet
My wife has an anxiety
disorder following severe bronchitis in Dec. 1994. She
developed fears of choking and is obsessed with mucus in
her throat and is afraid to eat salads or greens unless
they are cooked to death. We have been following the
Pritikin diet since 1980 and are basically healthy. She
is constantly being monitored by psychiatrists and
psychologists but cannot fully follow their advice. She
is on 1 mg risperdal and 0.25 mg klonopin. She is a
retired school teacher in her 70's and is not used to
being sick. She watches a lot ot television, which she
claims is a distraction, but her doctors do not agree.
Any help you could
offer would be greatly appreciated.
Durgs are rarely the
final answer to anxiety states. A high-complex
carbohydrate diet has always been associated with mellow
behavior, pacificism, etc. I've found it helpful for
children who have Attention Deficit Disorder and
Hyperactivity. I would also encourage prolonged aerobic
acitivity. It can be very moderate, but when prolonged
(45 minutes or so), there is a definite anti-anxiety
effect.
Your
Turn: Post
your comments and suggestions on this topic.
About Dr. Attwood.
