Thursday, July 16, 2020

How Is St. Johns Wort Used for Anxiety

How Is St. Johns Wort Used for Anxiety Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Therapy Print How Is St. Johns Wort Used for Anxiety? By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on September 15, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 18, 2020 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Anna Yu/Stockbyte/Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Dosage Contraindications Medication Interactions Side Effects Risks Effectiveness   Social Anxiety Disorder Other Supplements View All St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal medicine that has historically been used for treating various mental disorders and physical ailments, most notably depression.??  ? How St. Johns Wort Is Taken St. John’s Wort is usually taken daily in pill form. Dosage Guidelines In studies?? of social anxiety disorder, the typical dosage ranges from 600 to 1800 milligrams of St. John’s Wort daily. However, because ingredients can vary, doses may also vary. Before taking St. John’s Wort, you should read the product label and discuss the dose with a qualified healthcare provider. Who Should Not Take St. John’s Wort There is not enough scientific evidence?? to recommend the use of St. John’s Wort for children under 18 years of age or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. St. John’s Wort also has the potential to interact with many other medications, herbs, and supplements and may not be recommended in those cases. Medication Interactions St. John’s Wort interferes with the way the body processes or breaks down many medications, herbs, and supplements. It may speed up or slow down this process causing increased or decreased effects, adverse reactions or increased side effects. The medications that may potentially interact?? with St. John’s Wort include, but are not limited to the following: Birth control pillsTricyclic antidepressantsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)HIV drugs, such as IndinavirCancer drugs, such as IrinotecanCyclosporine (used to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs)Digoxin (strengthens heart muscle contractions)Warfarin and related anticoagulants In general, check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional and/or pharmacist about possible interactions. Side Effects The most common side effects of St. John’s Wort are sensitivity to sunlight, restlessness or anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue/sedation, headache, sexual dysfunction  and skin reactions. Generally, only a small percentage of people will experience side effects and the side effects tend to be less than those associated with a  standard antidepressant medication. Speak with a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any side effects. Associated Risks The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of herbs and supplements. Although there are known medication interactions for St. John’s Wort, most herbs, and supplements are not thoroughly tested. There is also no guarantee regarding the ingredients or safety of the product. Effectiveness   Current research?? suggests that St. John’s Wort is useful in treating  mild to moderate depression. However, the usefulness of St.  John’s Wort as a  primary treatment  for anxiety has not been established. A 2005 study?? on the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort in treating  social anxiety disorder (SAD)  found that patients who took the medicine didn’t improve any more than patients who took a  placebo. Using St. Johns Wort for Social Anxiety Disorder Given that no research evidence?? exists to support the use of St. Johns Wort in treating SAD, its usefulness for this purpose is questionable. However, if you suffer from depression in addition to social anxiety disorder, you may experience some benefit. As a bottom line, if you have been diagnosed with SAD, be sure to consult with your healthcare professional about effective primary  treatment  methods, such as  cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)  or  selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other Supplements for Social Anxiety Disorder ChamomileKava KavaPassion FlowerRhodiola RoseaValerian RootWinter Cherry

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.