A Non-Drug Approach to Treating Anxiety, Insomnia and Pain in College Students
Now, more than ever, with the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 , we need proven non-drug mental health treatment approaches that can lower students anxiety levels.
The treatment approach that can help reduce student’s pain and emotional struggles on college campuses is an FDA-cleared medical device, called an Alpha-Stim - indicated to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and pain. This device has been treating the mental health needs of the US military, our first responders, behavioral health and addiction treatment centers, as well the NHS in the UK, to list just a few. The Alpha-Stim is also endorsed by college athletes who have had lifelong battles with mental health issues and by professional athletes for pain. Nationally known Psychiatrists and the American Institute of Stress have likewise endorsed this helpful devise. To date, there are over 140 clinical studies as to the effectiveness of the Alpha-Stim for treating anxiety, depression, Insomnia and pain. I’m attaching the studies for your review.
The Alpha-Stim has proved to be such a useful tool in reducing stress, anxiety, insomnia and pain in the military that 200 DOD practioners and over 92 VA hospitals use this medical device and it is included in the VA/DoD FSS supply list as a contracted device. In fact, Dakota L. Meyer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan and featured in the Summer 2018 issue of PTSD journal, described how using the Alpha-stim has been life-changing for him. Returning to civilian life, and struggling with severe anxiety, Dakota describes how much his overall anxiety level has been reduced from using the Alpha-Stim and how his quality of life has greatly improved.
The Alpha-Stim is also being used by first responders to reduce the high levels of stress and anxiety due to the nature of their job. A study published in Jacobs Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science has found that the Alpha-Stim to be highly successful at relieving anxiety, depression, sleep, and pain among first responders.
Interestingly, the NHS in the UK faced the same kinds of mental health challenges as college campuses are facing in America today. The NHS was not able to accommodate its citizens’ vast need for receiving psychological services in a timely manner resulting in long wait lists.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a common problem in England, and it was reported that it could take upwards of eight weeks to be able to meet with a mental health professional. The NHS, headed by Dr. Richard Morris, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nottingham, researched ways to offer treatment to more individuals without adding more clinicians. He evaluated the Alpha-Sim through his own research, since it was indicated for treating anxiety, depression, Insomnia and pain, and had much-demonstrated success in the clinical studies. The results of this study were very positive and can be found in The Journal of Affective Disorders. Today these devices are being used in many NHS facilities for students and other citizens.
The NHS has since reported that since incorporating this device into their treatment modalities, they have been able to improve access to psychological treatment services in England and provide an effective treatment modality with or without CBT therapy that can reduce the time needed to treat with an overall reduction in cost.
Further, MD Anderson, Texas, conducted its own research study on the Alpha-Stim in an effort to find a non-drug treatment modality that could reduce pain, anxiety and depression that many of its patient’s experience. The study was released in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and reported that drug-free Alpha-Stim has been found to be an effective treatment for the debilitating pain and overwhelming anxiety and depression that cancer patients often suffer.
Makenzie Mason, a student athlete at the University of Florida, has shared her battle with anxiety and depression, in ESPN the magazine, in an effort to help and educate others to reach out when they need help. She describes how using the Alpha-stim has helped her manage her symptoms by helping her brain to calm itself when she is feeling crippled with anxiety or feeling too depressed.
Please feel free to contact me to answer any questions you may have about the Alpha-Stim.
Jill Polisner, MA., Ed.S., ACC, LPC