Gabapentin To Manage Symptoms of Anxiety: Exploring Current Alternative Treatments

Anxiety disorders can have a severe impact on one’s daily functioning. Standard anxiety treatments, like therapy, are often helpful but may not be effective for everyone as a single treatment approach. Some people may choose to explore alternative treatment options, and gabapentin may be one such treatment. 

Gabapentin is a medication that is sometimes prescribed off-label for symptoms of anxiety when other treatments have not been sufficiently effective. Other alternative treatments, ranging from supplements to new-age healing practices, are touted by some as being effective for generalized anxiety disorder. When considering whether you can benefit from an alternative treatment, speak to your doctor. For a more traditional treatment route, you might work with a therapist in person or online to address your anxiety symptoms. 

The BetterHelp platform is not intended for any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. BetterHelp therapists cannot prescribe medication or diagnose medical conditions. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.

Anyone may experience feelings of anxiety occasionally. Anxiety can be a normal response when faced with a challenging situation, such as a first date or speaking in front of a large crowd. Occasional anxiety is not necessarily a sign of an anxiety disorder. 

Anxiety disorders are often characterized by a near-constant worry that doesn't go away. If you have an anxiety disorder, even when you know your worries are excessive or unproductive, you may find it difficult to stop them. An anxiety disorder can significantly impact your quality of life and ability to function.

Anxiety can be caused by a combination of various factors, from genetics to life circumstances to negative experiences to nutritional deficiencies. In some cases, no specific cause can be identified. As such, the treatments for anxiety tend to be broad and may involve a process of elimination to find what works.

CBT teaches techniques to manage anxiety and guides clients in identifying inciting events that cause anxiety. It also helps identify negative thought patterns and offers strategies to replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. The benefits of this type of therapy may take a few weeks or months to experience, but the skills that are taught can last a lifetime.

If you haven't found success with CBT in the past, other forms of therapy exist to help you manage and reduce your anxiety. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) teaches methods of coping with uncomfortable and unpleasant thoughts while simultaneously changing behavior. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) tends to combine some methods from CBT with mindfulness skills and distress tolerance.

Gabapentin for anxiety

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication currently approved by the FDA to treat nerve pain and seizure disorders through its actions on neurons (nerve cells). Gabapentin is also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat mood and anxiety disorders, restless leg syndrome, and tardive dyskinesia. 

There have not been many clinical pharmacology studies performed to assess the effectiveness of gabapentin monotherapy in treating anxiety. If you’re interested in trying gabapentin, please speak to a doctor or psychiatrist, who will likely ask you about your medical history. Do not start, change, or stop a medication without speaking to your doctor. 

The BetterHelp platform is not intended for any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.

Are there side effects or possible interactions?

When starting gabapentin, your doctor may monitor closely for side effects. Report any side effects promptly to your doctor, but do not stop taking gabapentin abruptly unless directed to do so. Possible side effects may include these:

• Dizziness
• Impaired motor coordination
• Fatigue
• Memory problems
• Vision changes
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty finding words while speaking 

Certain medications may interact with gabapentin. Before starting gabapentin, discuss other medications or supplements you are currently taking with your doctor. 

Alternative treatments for anxiety

If gabapentin is not an option for you, there are other alternatives, such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, or other pharmacotherapies that can be used to manage anxiety disorders. Please consult your doctor before adding any vitamins, minerals, supplements, or other remedies to your treatment regimen.

Vitamin D

Low levels of vitamin D have frequently been linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, particularly GAD and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Vitamin D can be formed in the body from sun exposure through the skin. It is derived from foods. Vitamin D deficiency affects over a billion people around the world, and it can lead to physical and mental health symptoms. People with darker skin tones may be particularly at risk for vitamin D deficiency because of different sunlight absorption. Vitamin D supplementation may improve anxiety symptoms as part of an anxiety treatment regimen.

Calming teas

Some people benefit from calming tea blends that may deliver relaxing results. Teas such as peppermint, chamomile, and passionflower can have a calming effect and ease nervousness for some people. Green tea may also aid in clearing your mind and lowering anxiety levels.

Magnesium 

Magnesium deficiency may cause anxiety symptoms, along with other signs like heart palpitations, constipation, numbness and tingling, fatigue, muscle weakness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Magnesium is required for cardiac, skeletal muscle, cognitive, and nerve functioning. Studies suggest that magnesium supplementation may reduce anxiety symptoms. 

Nicotine

Some people who smoke believe that nicotine lowers their anxiety, but research has found that the calm associated with nicotine is only a temporary effect. Nicotine often increases anxiety symptoms. Therefore, quitting smoking may result in a decrease in anxiety symptoms.

Melatonin 

Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally, according to your circadian rhythms, to help you become relaxed and sleepy near bedtime, which is why melatonin is often recommended for insomnia. Melatonin can be helpful for reducing anxiety symptoms, but because it can make you drowsy, your doctor may recommend taking it at bedtime. 

Rhodiola rosea 

Rhodiola rosea is an herb belonging to the class of adaptogens. The herb can work with your body's natural stress response to lower your anxiety symptoms. Some evidence suggests that rhodiola rosea may improve anxiety symptoms and fatigue, possibly with few side effects, but more evidence is needed to recommend the use of rhodiola rosea for the treatment of anxiety, its dosage, and the potential long-term effects.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an herb, with the active ingredient of curcumin, which has many benefits for physical and mental health. Studies suggest that turmeric supplementation may improve depression and anxiety symptoms. However, turmeric the potential to interact with other medications, supplements, and other health conditions, so speak to your physician before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.

Niacin

Niacin supplementation, which is vitamin B3, has demonstrated potential improvements in anxiety and depressive disorders. However, individual responsiveness may vary. Do not start, stop, or change any supplement without reviewing it with your healthcare practitioner.

Dietary changes can also assist individuals in managing their anxiety symptoms with steps, like reducing intake of caffeine and refined sugar. High-sugar diets have been linked to worsened anxiety, and lowering your refined sugar intake may help control anxiety symptoms. Speak to your doctor about steps you can take to improve anxiety symptoms if you believe sugar could be contributing to your anxiety.

Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory signaling molecules that have many implications for physical and mental health. Adequate intake of omega-3s, from foods like salmon, tuna, chia seeds, and walnuts, or from a fish oil supplement, may help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

High consumption of artificial sweeteners and gluten have been linked to worsened anxiety symptoms, so eliminating these may improve anxiety symptoms in some people.  

Anxiety disorder support options 

The end goal of anxiety treatments is often the same: to reduce symptoms and help individuals cope so they can regain control of their lives. While studies have shown that psychotherapy can be one of the most effective ways to treat anxiety, some people find it difficult to begin. Common barriers to treatment may include a lack of convenience, hesitancy due to societal stigma, and affordability. 

The rise in popularity of online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp has potentially created a solution to these barriers. These platforms offer the opportunity to speak with a therapist on a client’s schedule via phone, video chat, or online messaging. In addition, online therapy is often more affordable than in-person therapy.  

According to various studies, online therapy can be particularly effective in treating a variety of psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders, and a variety of comorbid anxiety-related disorders. Both in-person and online therapy may be helpful for you, whether you have moderate anxiety or severe anxiety.