From the Guidelines
Diet plays a crucial role in managing severe anxiety, and a comprehensive approach that includes dietary changes, therapy, medication, and stress reduction techniques is recommended. According to the most recent and highest quality study 1, individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and co-occurring anxiety or depression can benefit from dietary changes, such as a low FODMAP diet, which has been shown to reduce abdominal pain severity and bloating. However, this approach should be avoided in individuals with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, and a gentle FODMAP diet or standard diet might be more appropriate.
Key dietary recommendations for managing severe anxiety include:
- Consuming regular, balanced meals rich in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Limiting or avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugars
- Staying well-hydrated with water throughout the day
- Incorporating foods high in magnesium and B vitamins, as deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to increased anxiety
- Considering herbal supplements like chamomile, valerian root, or ashwagandha, under the guidance of a healthcare provider
It is essential to note that dietary changes should be made in conjunction with other anxiety management strategies, such as therapy, medication, regular exercise, and stress reduction techniques. A multidisciplinary approach, as recommended by 1, can help individuals with anxiety disorders manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Additionally, the effectiveness of treatments for anxiety has been evaluated in systematic reviews of psychological and pharmacologic therapies, as discussed in 1 and 1, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan.
From the Research
Role of Diet in Improving Severe Anxiety
There is limited direct evidence on the role of diet in improving severe anxiety from the provided studies. However, some studies suggest that lifestyle modifications, including diet, can play a role in managing anxiety.
- The study 2 recommends lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and stress reduction techniques, as part of an integrative approach to managing anxiety.
- While diet is not explicitly mentioned, the study 3 suggests that exercise, which can be influenced by diet, can be systematically recommended as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders.
- The other studies 4, 5, 6 focus on psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and other non-pharmacological treatments, without mentioning diet specifically.
Non-Dietary Interventions for Severe Anxiety
The studies provide more evidence on non-dietary interventions for severe anxiety, including:
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) 4
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 3, 5
- Group schema therapy (GST) 6
- Pharmacotherapy, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors 5
- Exercise and physical activity 3
- Stress reduction techniques and relaxation methods 2, 3