Worried parents may be overwhelmed with where to begin supporting their teen with anxiety. I want to explore the question "Could TCM offer support?" and if so, then "How?". Let's delve into ideas where Chinese Medicine may support a broader medical care plan for teens with anxiety.
Start with a solid foundation for Teen Anxiety support
Medical Help: The starting point
Firstly, consider seeking help from your doctor. They may want to do some blood tests to check hormone levels including Cortisol and Adrenaline if you suspect that your teen is struggling with anxiety.
Here's some of the key stress hormones that may be tested in more detail:
- Cortisol: Cortisol is often referred to as the primary stress hormone. It plays a crucial role in the body's stress response and helps regulate metabolism, immune function, and blood pressure. Elevated levels of cortisol may indicate chronic stress or adrenal dysfunction.
- Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Adrenaline is released in response to stress and helps prepare the body for the "fight or flight" response. High levels of adrenaline may contribute to feelings of anxiety and increased heart rate.
- Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine): Noradrenaline works alongside adrenaline to mobilize the body's resources during times of stress. Imbalances in noradrenaline levels have been linked to depression and anxiety.
- DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): DHEA is an adrenal hormone that helps regulate stress response. It's involved in the synthesis of other hormones, including testosterone and Oestrogen. Abnormal levels of DHEA have been associated with mood disorders and sleep problems.
- Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormones, including T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and energy levels. Imbalances in thyroid function can contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
- Serotonin and Dopamine: Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine play key roles in mood regulation. Doctors may consider other testing methods or clinical assessments to evaluate neurotransmitter levels, as they're not tested via the blood.
Mental Health Professionals
Secondly and most certainly, asking the GP for a referral to a mental health professional such as a psychologist or counsellor. They can assess your teen's condition and provide coping strategies to help such as mindfulness, self care and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy designed to alleviate distress from traumatic memories and has evidence to support it's benefits.
Can Acupuncture offer any support to Teens with anxiety?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is modalities of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Experienced and fully qualified practitioners look at the person as a whole; their thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms often give clues as to where to begin treatment and how to support them better.
Those experiencing anxiety, stress, sleeplessness and depression may find Acupuncture treatments themselves a relaxing experience, it goes deeper than that. Scientific research shows there are mechanisms of Acupuncture that can help in the area of mental health profoundly including:
- Influencing the Brain and Neuroplasticity: reorganising how the body maps pain sensations, stress responses.
- Parasympathetic Nervous system: Gentle acupuncture stimulates the "rest and digest" mode of our bodies, helping you feel more relaxed and calm.
- Influence on Mood: Moderating Neurotransmitters, Endorphins and Stress response.
- Inflammation reduction
- Improved circulation
Although much of clinical trials on TCM for mental health are still emerging, several studies suggest similar potential benefits with adolescents as it does for adults. For a more detailed summary on Acupuncture and Anxiety specifically, click here: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-anxiety/
Can Acupuncture help Anxiety and Depression?
Evidence Based Acupuncture states:
"Acupuncture enjoys moderate to strong evidence of effectiveness in the treatment of 46 conditions and is considered safe in the hands of properly trained practitioners. This strong scientific support is impressive and helpful for patients in the context of a conventional healthcare system where nearly half of all treatments lack evidence for their use. Acupuncture is also considered cost-effective for a number of conditions where evidence is available. Comparatively, for many conditions it enjoys greater evidence than many conventional treatments and is relatively safer. Patients, medical professionals, and healthcare administrators can be confident that the recommendation of acupuncture for many patients is a safe, cost-effective, and evidence-based recommendation."
This is hopefully, reassuring to parents and teens. Included in these 46 conditions are Anxiety, Depression (when taking medication), Insomnia, PTSD, IBS and TMJ (Jaw pain).
So if you're teen is struggling with sleep, PTSD trauma and the more obvious signs of anxiety or depression...
OR their stress is more hidden, showing up in their bowel health or muscle tension and they're clenching their teeth, Acupuncture could be a helpful addition to self care.
Can Chinese Herbal Medicine help Anxiety and Depression?
- Adaptogenic Herbs: These help the body adapt to stress and maintain a sense of balance, equilibrium and resilience. To clarify, adaptogenic herbs like Huang Qi (Astragalus), Wu Wei Zi and Gan Cao (Licorice) for instance, may help teenagers with stress and maintain their mood.
- Nervine Herbs: These herbs have calming and sedative properties. Yuan Zhi, Suan Zao Ren and Mu Li for example, are considered nervine herbs and can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
- Chinese Herbal Formulas: Herbs are rarely prescribed in isolation. There are some helpful calming formulas I can prescribe when you book a consultation with me, as I need to gather your case history and make a correct TCM diagnosis.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may offer support strategies to a broader medical plan for teens with anxiety. As an adjunct therapy, TCM may help manage symptoms and empower teenagers to achieve optimal mental health.
In regards to managing adolescent mental health, further TCM research is needed. However, existing acupuncture evidence suggests its value in a broader care plan alongside doctors and psychologists. Most certainly and to sum up, teens and their parents need to look for degree-qualified and AHPRA registered TCM practitioners with experience for tailored treatment.
I am based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in Brookvale and Warriewood.
