Mental Health Needs a Holistic Approach Says Osteopath

Long-term anxiety affects physiology, says James and the outcomes, if not addressed, can be very serious. Increased heart rate and blood pressure can expose the body to increased levels of cortisol which can lead to cardiovascular disease says James. According to Harvard Health anxiety is a reaction to stress that has both psychological and physical features. The feeling is thought to arise in the amygdala, a brain region that governs many intense emotional responses. Its biological source is for fight or flight response- to get us going!

When attacked by a predator, the fight-or-flight response revs up the metabolism and prepares the body for vigorous activity, and most or all mammals share it.

This is well and good if we are being chased by a Sabertooth tiger, but if you are are carrying stress unnecessarily it can cause havoc for your body holistically. Digestion, memory and chronic pain can also be a result amongst other long-term health implications.

So what does it mean to have a holistic approach to health in combatting anxiety? How does preventative health assist?

“Holistic means the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole,” says James. Therefore when we speak of Holistic health, it means we are addressing the physiological being as a whole- mind, and body.”

“From an osteopathic perspective- connection and human movement are intrinsic parts of the whole, so addressing anxiety and spreading awareness is incredibly important as is reducing the stigma associated with mental health. Communication is key and being able to discuss how our body and mind are feeling openly.”

According to Beyond Blue  anxiety conditions may develop because of one or more stressful life events. Common triggers include:

• work stress or job change

• change in living arrangements

• pregnancy and giving birth

• family and relationship problems

• major emotional shock following a stressful or traumatic event

• verbal, sexual, physical or emotional abuse or trauma

• death or loss of a loved one.