| The Manhattan Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group |
| www.maaddsg.org |
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Our Goal Is To Offer Support And
Information To Adults In New York City And The Surrounding Communities With ADD/ADHD |
| We Are Not "Lazy, Crazy, Or Stupid" |
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| SUPPLEMENTS |
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| BECALM |
| Newsday, 2/24/04 WHAT'S IN THE BOTTLE: BECALM by Dawn Wotapka THE PRODUCT AND WHOM IT'S MARKETED FOR. Becalm bills itself as an herbal remedy to treat moderate-to-severe anxiety and panic disorders. Native Remedies, a Florida company, sells a variety of what is says are "mixable" supplements targeting everything from acne to bladder infections. For example, Becalm and MindSoothe -- marketed as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and irregular sleep patterns -- are an optimal combination. A 30-day Becalm supply is $26.95, which includes a 60-day refund guarantee. "There are no major claims it's going to cure anxiety," said George Luntz, president of Native Remedies' worldwide distribution. "As long as people understand that, I think they're getting an excellent product." Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 19.1 million people between 18 and 54 years old, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America in Maryland. Nationwide, 4.4 million adults suffer from generalized anxiety disorder; social anxiety disorder strikes 5.3 million adults, while 2.4 million deal with panic disorders. WHAT'S KNOWN: Michele Carelse, a South African clinical psychologist for more than 15 years, developed and began dispensing the formula about a decade ago. "I believe strongly in the healing properties of herbal and homeopathic medicines," she says in her bio. "I have worked together with experts in the field of herbal remedies and homeopathy to develop my own range of remedies." The recommendation for adults is between 10 and 20 drops of Becalm three times daily or as needed, and for children "one drop per age in a little water or juice" up to three times per day. (Luntz said the concoction is not addictive but should not be taken during pregnancy or breast-feeding.) Becalm contains three main ingredients: Melissa officinalis, lavandula augustifolia and passiflora incarnata, or simply lemon balm, lavender and passionflower. Lemon balm, a traditional medicinal herb, has mild sedative properties and has been used to relieve gas and reduce fever, according to North Carolina State University's Department of Horticultural Science. Lavender is known for its calming properties; passionflower is used as a mild sedative, insomnia cure and digestive aid. The Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines lists no side effects for these ingredients. Though Becalm's Web site touts "proven natural treatments," there is no clinical proof the product works, Luntz said. However, he added, the company receives numerous testimonials and repeat orders. Of the "tens of thousands" of products sold each year - Luntz wouldn't release specifics - less than 1 percent are returned, he said. The company also points out: "Individual ingredients are well-researched and have been put to the test over the years as a complement to the treatment of real people with real problems." The only logged side effect is an upset stomach, reported two or three times yearly. "I think anything you ingest from candies to food to medication can cause that," Luntz said. BOTTOM LINE: If it works without side effects, why not? asked Jerilyn Ross, a psychotherapist and head of the Anxiety Disorders Association. However, she added that a user should first talk to his or her doctor, understand where the product comes from and read the fine print. Others disagree. Kathy HoganBruen, senior director of prevention for the National Mental Health Association, said herbal supplements -- which are not tested or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration - should not be the first course of action, adding that anyone with anxiety symptoms should first consult a professional. Treatment options range from medicine to exercise, she said. "I'm not sure why someone would want to take an herbal supplement over an anti-anxiety medication that has been thoroughly tested and researched and FDA approved," said HoganBruen. "That makes me nervous because of possible risks associated with them and side effects. They may be ineffective, as well." "Do these herbal remedies offer any help?" asked Dr. David Carbonell, a clinical psychologist with The Anxiety Treatment Center Ltd., with offices in Suffolk County. "There's little or no research either way." Many anxiety sufferers take SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These medications act in the brain, increasing the levels of a chemical messenger called serotonin. Beta-blockers usually treat heart conditions but can be helpful in certain anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia, according to the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md. "When a feared situation, such as giving an oral presentation, can be predicted in advance, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker that can be taken to keep your heart from pounding, your hands from shaking and other physical symptoms from developing," its Web site says. Alternatives include cognitive behavioral treatment, a form of emphasizing the "important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do," says the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. Carbonell advises self-help methods based on these therapies. One is a diaphragmatic breathing technique. "This is a very common and a very solvable problem," Carbonell said. OTHER OPTIONS: As with any illness, herbal options abound. Similarly named beCalm'd, a Becalm competitor. That product -- which contains calcium, magnesium, Vitamin B-6 and folic acid -- promises to help with everything from depression to alcoholism to weight loss. Ninety beCalm'd pills are about $37.50. One Web site warns against mixing it with MAO inhibitor antidepressant drugs |