Journal article
What natural therapeutics are Australians using to relieve feelings of anxiousness?
Advances in integrative medicine, Vol.11(4), pp.260-264
01/12/2024
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Introduction
Feelings of anxiousness are experienced in the absence of diagnosed anxiety in Australia with prevalence and management of anxiousness not well understood within the population. Anxiety statistics represent the closest statistical comparison to anxiousness affecting 13% of the Australian population. This figure is estimated to be much higher post pandemic based on global prevalence increasing.
Methods
The overall aim of this research is to identify natural ingestive and lifestyle therapeutics used by Australian adults to address their anxiousness. 115 provided consent. A cross sectional survey of the Australian adult population was conducted. The survey included enquiry about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, concomitant or isolated pharmaceutical use, demographic factors, potential barriers of access to natural therapeutics, types of practitioners commonly sought, exacerbating factors and manifestations of anxiousness.
Results
One hundred and fifteen (n=115) respondents completed the survey. The survey allowed respondents to select more than one lifestyle option. The survey found that of the natural therapeutic options, 90.32% (n=84) used lifestyle medicine (deep breathing, time in nature and meditation), 55.9% (n=52) used herbal medicine (Passionflower, Lemon balm, Withania and St John’s wort) and 53.2% (n=49) used nutrients (Magnesium, B Vitamins and Theanine and SAMe). The survey identified that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners were the most common type of practitioner sought for information with naturopaths the preferred CAM practitioners.
Conclusion
Natural therapeutics as a strategy for managing anxiety has potential therapeutic application for Australian’s experiencing anxiousness, particularly post COVID-19 pandemic. Lifestyle medicine was the most common strategy utilized. There was a significant openness to trialing natural therapies.
Details
- Title
- What natural therapeutics are Australians using to relieve feelings of anxiousness?
- Creators
- R Saab - Southern Cross UniversityAndrea Bugarcic - Southern Cross University, National Centre for Naturopathic MedicineJ Schloss - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Advances in integrative medicine, Vol.11(4), pp.260-264
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Number of pages
- 5
- Identifiers
- 991013215713402368
- Copyright
- © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article