Prim Care. 2002 Jun; 29(2): 339-60, vii.

Anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Larzelere MM, Wiseman P.

Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 510, Kenner, LA 70065, USA. mlarze@lsuhsc.edu

Evidence for alternative treatments for depression, anxiety, and insomnia are reviewed in this article. Treatment of depression with St. John's wort, L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine, dehydroepiandosterone, folate, exercise, acupuncture, and meditation are examined. Evidence for the efficacy of kava kava, exercise, relaxation therapies, and acupuncture in treatment anxiety is reviewed. The use of valerian, melatonin, chamomile, passionflower, exercise, acupuncture, and behavioral therapies (i.e., sleep restriction, stimulus control, relaxation, and sleep hygiene) for insomnia is discussed.