Dietary changes and nutritional supplements may also play a role in your treatment of anxiety or depression. In general, there is less robust data for the effectiveness and safety of nutritional supplements. That is, they are less likely to have been evaluated in well-designed scientific studies. On the other hand, some skepticism about so-called well-designed studies is in order, since many of them are designed and carried out by pharmaceutical companies that have a vested interest in the outcome. In any case, empirically, some nutritional supplements may be effective and safe to use and can be considered collaboratively as part of the treatment of your anxiety or depression.

Exercise, yoga (especially yin yoga, in my experience), Feldenkrais and other organized forms of movement can be very effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression. But if you are suffering from anxiety or depression, it can be extremely difficult to begin, or stay with, what otherwise might be a useful practice. In those instances, I find that working together to understand your state of mind, including what makes movement difficult for you right now, is most helpful.

Likewise, meditation or other mindfulness practices can help address your symptoms. But, again, some people feel too distressed to begin these practices. Sometimes walking meditation, rather than sitting meditation, is more manageable for people who are very anxious. Patience and thoughtfulness are essential as we try to understand what you are experiencing, in general and as we potentially explore the tools described above. The goal is not to pressure you to use these tools as though they are some kind of magic. They are only tools. Rather, the goal is always to understand who you are as a person and how I can help you with your anxiety and depression. Along with working to alleviate your distress, my goal is to help you become more comfortable with yourself, be able to touch and be touched by others and feel a sense of meaning in your life.