Category: Your health
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary or alternative medicine - what's the difference?The phrases complementary therapy and alternative medicine are often used as if they mean the same thing; they may also be combined into one phrase – complementary and alternative medicine (CAMs). However, there is an important difference between the two.
A complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatment, whereas an alternative therapy is generally used instead of conventional medical treatment. On occasion, there can be an overlap which is why the term CAM is used.
In our survey, we specifically asked about experience of complementary therapies and 390 people said they had found them very helpful, 267 found them moderately helpful and 119 said they had not helped at all. Respondents listed various types of complementary therapies including mindfulness, meditation, massage, acupuncture, homeopathy and others.
Before undertaking any complementary therapy you should get full information about it and the practitioner and make sure you have clear information about costs and the practitioner’s insurance cover. The only complementary therapies that are regulated in the UK are osteopathy and chiropractic. Others have voluntary registers and professional organisations.
Anxiety and panic attacks
Do you experience strong or overwhelming feelings of anxiety?Worries, fears and anxieties are familiar to us all and most of the time they are reasonable responses to the situation we are in. Anxiety becomes a problem only when it is exaggerated or appears out of context. About one in 10 people in the UK will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives and many people will have more than one form.
Within our survey, respondents talked about suffering from various types of worry and anxiety including general, performance, health and social. Our respondents commented that their anxiety was often manifested as panic attacks.
Triggers for their anxiety included working hours, irregular work, financial pressures, frequently having to get to know new people, moving around a lot, balancing work and family life, ageing as well as non-work-related issues such as family concerns and life events.
Anxiety is a recognised condition and takes various forms. Here are some comments from the survey followed by some sources of support.
“I haven't worked for ten years because of my anxiety related to performing - fear of forgetting my lines, letting others down, fear of the pressure you are put under, and have consequently turned down really good film roles in recent years.”
“I have had a history of panic attacks and general anxiety. Sometimes this can spill over into performance anxiety. Four years ago I sought help… I feel the problem is under control and often disappears completely.”
Alcohol
Are you worried that you use alcohol when stressed and can you spot the signs of a drink problem?Ours is a sociable business where there is the potential for work-related drinking: meetings over drinks, opening and wrap parties, working in pubs and clubs, networking, hospitality, relaxing after a show, cast reunions, industry events and many more.
But some creative practitioners find themselves using alcohol to fend off stress and anxiety e.g. drinking for “Dutch courage” before going on and drinking to wind down afterwards. This pattern can spread and it can become problematic.
How much is too much is very subjective but if you are concerned about your drinking or about someone else’s – these resources may help.
“ I'm working my Step 9 with the aid of my sponsor in the Al-Anon 12 Step programme. ”