Annual NHS prescription levels for anti-depressants in the UK have risen to 64.7 million, an increase of 200% since 2006 and rising at a faster rate than any other western nation.
NICE guidance for benzodiazepine use recommends patients take the drug for a maximum of 4 weeks, yet 1 million people are long term users, increasing their risk of becoming addicted by an alarming 40%. The addiction to antidepressants is having a crippling burden on the UK economy, costing the NHS a predicted £140m per annum.
The rise in use of anti-depressants coincides with an increase in anxiety rates across the UK. 4.4million people now suffer from diagnosed anxiety disorders for which benzodiazepines are prescribed to suppress neuroactivity. As a habit-forming drug, benzodiazepines are highly addictive, withdrawal symptoms include sweating, nausea and anxiety. Creating a vicious dependency cycle.
Professor of Psychiatry, Professor Hans-Peter Volz comments;
“The use, and misuse, of prescription anxiety medication is rising. Doctors can be quick to medicate people who are experiencing emotional distress, without exploring alternative options. Medicating too quickly can lead to unnecessary prescription of medication, and in some cases, can cause a dependency to the drug. The problem then, is trying to reduce dependency and get patients off the prescribed drugs. It is important that we look at alternative treatments to prescription drugs for anxiety such as talking therapies, mindfulness, and traditional herbal remedies.”
Research suggests, that there is now a non-addictive alternative to benzodiazepines for subthreshold anxiety sufferers. Uniquely prepared, pharmaceutical quality lavender oil is shown to reduce excessive neurotransmitter activity, reducing overstimulation and hyperactivity of the nervous response, and improving symptoms of mild anxiety.
Clinical trials show the results are comparable to the effects seen from commonly used anti-anxiety medications, including the benzodiazepine lorazepam prescribed in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Positron Emission Topography (PET) scans of participants’ brains also suggest that compared to placebo the unique lavender oil significantly reduces the binding potential of the neurotransmitter Serotonin 1A (5T1A) in the regions of the brain that are involved in the regulation of anxiety.
Professor Hans-Peter Volz, continues;
‘’This is a positive development for anxiety. Research demonstrates that the lavender oil capsules reduce both physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety, without issues such as sedation, addiction or withdrawal. Lavender oil capsules provide a promising alternative treatment option to prescription drugs for subthreshold anxiety sufferers.”
The anxiety-relieving effects of uniquely prepared, pharmaceutical quality lavender oil are available only in Kalms Lavender One-A-Day Capsules.
Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK states; ‘’Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the UK – one in five people report feeling anxious a lot or all of the time; and more than 45 million working days have been lost due to anxiety (combined with depression and stress) in the past three years. We welcome a range of treatment and support options, including the Kalms Lavender One-a-Day capsule and other non-prescription options such as talking therapies.”
