Chapters authored
Practical Applications of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Adults and Youth with Anxiety Disorders
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for anxiety disorders in adults and youth. Parents often are reluctant to use antidepressants due to fear of potential side effects. Youth are often unwilling to participate in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or it is not readily available. Practitioners are not always knowledgeable or open to considering CAM therapies for their patients. This chapter will review the definition of CAM, prevalence of CAM use, its safety and effectiveness and finally its practical applications. Four case studies are discussed in which practitioners were open to the use of CAM and collaborated successfully with parents of youth with anxiety disorders. Literature review is presented for use of vitamin D, melatonin, acupuncture, acupressure and craniosacral therapy.
Part of the book: A Fresh Look at Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety — Is There an App for That? Considering Technology, Psychiatry, and Internet-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Across Western countries, more than a third of people will have a mental health disorder over their lifetime; mood and anxiety disorders are the most common. The effectiveness of psychological interventions is well established. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for example, is as effective for mild and moderate anxiety as medications; combined psychopharmacology and CBT is superior to either modality alone, suggesting a synergistic effect. However, CBT requires a major investment of time and resources. Thus, in public systems, CBT has limited availability and is subject to long waiting times; primary-care physicians and psychiatrists may not offer CBT.
Part of the book: A Fresh Look at Anxiety Disorders