I have Asperger’s syndrome, and social anxiety as a result. I don’t want to take meds and there isn’t any cognitive behavioral therapy remotely nearby, so I’m looking into acupuncture. Anyone who’s tried acupuncture for anxiety, what’s it like? How effective was it? Do you have to get it regularly for it to work?

Acupuncture can help manage anxiety in many cases. Often it will take more time for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture to be realized over pharmacological interventions because it is a more mild treatment. The upside is less negative side-effects.

In my clinical experience you are looking at 6 to 8 weeks of treatment for the anxiety to come under management, although, it can take longer in some cases. You may need to continue monthly treatments to manage the anxiety. However, everyone responds individually to medical treatments so there is no way to know if this will hold true for you.