Natural supplement for anxiety??

[dointhis4me]

Does anyone know what supplements help with anxiety? I've been on Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Lexapro before and hated them all; don't want to go that route again. I am not having problems with depression now as I have in the past just anxiety and panic attacks.

TIA

BTW, I will Google this as well but just wondering if anyone knows firsthand.

[nanberrycritter]

Gosh, I wish I knew! I take SAM-e for my depression issues. Works great! A half dosage is all I need to stabilize my moods and make me feel a normal happy. But it doesn't help much with my anxiety issues. I don't get panic attacks, unless I have to do something major like move or go to the dentist, but I do have generalized anxiety when I think about doing some things. The few herbs I have tried just make me sleepy, valerian and some other herbs I can't think of right now.

[Elloise]

Originally Posted by dointhis4me

Does anyone know what supplements help with anxiety? I've been on Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Lexapro before and hated them all; don't want to go that route again. I am not having problems with depression now as I have in the past just anxiety and panic attacks.

TIA

BTW, I will Google this as well but just wondering if anyone knows firsthand.

I've always heard of using St John's Wort and 5-HTP. SJW can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control, so be careful. I've heard both of those used when talking about anxiety and/or depression. My dr ok'd both of them for one of my daughters, but mentioned that the natural doses won't be strong enough for some people with the more severe symptoms.

[Laura in Arizona]

My doc gave me a rx (lorazepam) that is my security blanket in case I have a panic attack. But it seems since I have been religiously taking my calcium and magnesium at bedtime I am much better. I was reading another thread that mentioned 5 HTP for anxiety. I bought some but so far have not needed it so have yet to try it. I also swear by Rescue Remedy (a Bach Flower remedy) and keep that in my purse always as well. Looking forward to any other helpful tips from others.

[ghelen]

Cod Liver Oil

[walkthebeach]

flax seed oil caps cured my daughter's panic and anxiety. I learned about it here on good old low carb friends!

[dointhis4me]

Thanks everyone, I will look into each of these. I hate this feeling and feel like running to the doctor NOW to get put on something just to ease it but I had such bad side effects before (major being being very rapid weight gain) that it scares me to do so.
Right now just lots of prayer is getting me through the day.

[lisabinil]

Sam-E also worked great for me.

[coffeelover]

I'm also very interested - I have anxiety but not depression (as far as I can tell?). But I also don't want to go on SSRIs and would like to try something natural.

Lisabinil - did you use the SAME-E for anxiety?

[lowcarblulu]

There's some herbal stuff called "Rescue Remedy" - it's made of floral extracts. Just a few drops and it's supposed to relieve anxiety. Bought some for my cat and it seemed to work a little, and I have friends that swear by it. You can find it at Whole Foods and other health food stores.

[CARLINI]

You're serotonin depleted and your body needs to start producing its own serotonin again. 5HTP and/or St. Johns Wort are excellent for this. I've read GABA is good for anxiety as well (but have not tried it myself). The downside is it takes a few weeks before you'll see a difference. Make sure you're getting plenty of fat, protein, and non-starchy veggies in your diet. As you move closer to goal, start adding back fruit and starches (according to your particular carb tolerance).

Two good books to read on serotonin are The Swartzbein Principle and The Diet Cure.

[stargirl21]

Inositol. This has worked wonders for me. It also helps with PCOS symptoms, weight loss and can possibly prevent cancer

[flatferenghi]

experience has shown that a dose of FLATFERENGHI works wonders. whether u lose your feelings of anxiety, i cannot guarantee, but u will have a different set of issues entirely. but seriously, Dr Atkins VITANUTRIENT SOLUTION has much information on non-pharmaceutical choices. Also, the Atkins diet itself. I haven't had any while i was following the plan by the book. Good luck to you. Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

[MarblesLongGone]

Along with the things listed above, quite a few of the B vitamins are good for that. I think I was reading last week that B-5 & B-6 were helpful to reduce stresses. (And reduce Cortisol, which makes belly fat!)

[dointhis4me]

I have had issues with depression and anxiety since I was a teenage hence all the medications I listed. Since starting Atkins I have not had any issues with either and haven't had to use medication. Thankfully I have never had to deal with anything too "major" in my life up until now, and maybe thats just my problem I don't know how to cope
My mom and I are very close, she has an rare, advanced type of cancer and was admitted today for 72 hours of continuous chemo. The doctor says he doesn't know if it will help but it's her last option. He said it was going to be very rough and she may not make it through the treatment. I honestly don't know how to deal with this
Like I said I've never had to deal with anything like this before but I always imagined I'd be strong and handle it with it with grace. Thats not the case I am I barely getting through my day and last night was even worse.

[talithasuya]

I'm the LAST human on earth who should be giving psych advice, but my therapist always tells me to "relax into the emotion." Instead of trying to find ways to resist the pain you're feeling over your mom, just let yourself feel it and trust that the emotion that comes in like a wave will recede like a wave, too. Hope that helps just a wee bit.

[niciK]

First a big hugs to you. What you are going through is scary. We are human beings with a full range of emotions. I get easily stessed, I am an extreemly emotional person. I know myself very well. I bought the Bachs rescue remedy to try. I hope it works. I also take lexapro and Klonapin for anxiety. I suffered from extreem anxiety, it runs in my familly all of the women have it. I dont have any suggestions for natural herbs but just wanted to say your mother is in my prayers and I know how anxiety can hut.

[Patlaf]

and for you and your mother.

Pat

[debkeversole]

Hyland's Calms Forte

[Darkfire]

CALMS by highland....er google it. I swear by it, and valerian if I need sleep.

[Laura in Arizona]

Originally Posted by dointhis4me

I have had issues with depression and anxiety since I was a teenage hence all the medications I listed. Since starting Atkins I have not had any issues with either and haven't had to use medication. Thankfully I have never had to deal with anything too "major" in my life up until now, and maybe thats just my problem I don't know how to cope
My mom and I are very close, she has an rare, advanced type of cancer and was admitted today for 72 hours of continuous chemo. The doctor says he doesn't know if it will help but it's her last option. He said it was going to be very rough and she may not make it through the treatment. I honestly don't know how to deal with this
Like I said I've never had to deal with anything like this before but I always imagined I'd be strong and handle it with it with grace. Thats not the case I am I barely getting through my day and last nights was even worse.

I am so sorry for you and your mom to go through this. I know you don't want to do Rx stuff but sometimes these are the times when they will really help. I had anxiety and panic attacks when I was in college and they resolved themselves. I did not have any problem until my husband at age 49 was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At that time I spent my days in a haze and nights crying. The medication I was given helped me get through that.

Then I was fine for many years until my father died. He was 90 and you would think I would be prepared - but the reality is there is nothing you can do to "prepare". I had a full blown panic attack, ended up in the ER. I used the medication then to help me get through.

Like you I imagined myself to be strong and although sad I figured I would rise to the occasion and deal with it. Did not happen in my case. I was completely devastated and a total basket case. My mom is 88 now and her health is declining. Like you I am very close to her and I know it is going to be sooner rather than later.

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor for help right now. I no longer try to get through the tough stuff without some medical help. My thoughts are with you and your mother during this difficult time. You will get through and time really does heal.

Laura

[Houston Heather]

What is your caffeine intake?

Whenever I'm freaking out, I look at my caffeine intake and then I go .

Keep notes everytime you have coffee or whatever, I read somewhere that most anxiety is directly related to caffeine intake.

[MichelleM]

FOr those of you who use SAMM-e ..where do you get it? Im wondering what the best price is on it. Its not cheap!

Im on 'ativan' (lorazapam) for anxiety. I take 1 mg a day and it definitely calms me down. I go to a siding scale clinic so my meds only cost $7 a month.

[sugarless4life]

Kava works great.

Betty

[fawn]

Oh sweet Holly I'm sorry.......

Valerian Root
Kava
GABA
Additional Cardio to help with the over active nerves.

If it gets too bad maybe an Rx of xanax might help you.

[dointhis4me]

thank you all for your kind words and your recommendations

Originally Posted by talithasuya

I'm the LAST human on earth who should be giving psych advice, but my therapist always tells me to "relax into the emotion." Instead of trying to find ways to resist the pain you're feeling over your mom, just let yourself feel it and trust that the emotion that comes in like a wave will recede like a wave, too. Hope that helps just a wee bit.

Thank you for sharing that, it made me cry to read it but I know it's true

[WildflowerMama]

Bach's Rescue Remedy is wonderful.