i have anxiety and depression, are there other options then prescribed meds?

Question

I have been dealing with Anxiety and Depression for a few years now, i was 17 when signs and symptoms occured, 19 when i got put on meds in 2003. I am now 22, and want to know if there are other options that work just as well as prescribed meds, so, that MAYBE i can talk to my doctor about them.

Yes, i have been on meds since 2003. I've had doctors tell me i'm on too many, and doctors who say "If they're working, don't stop". But, last week, i was in for a panic attack again, and one of them said my body's becoming "immune" to them, meaning that soon, they won't work anymore.

So, are there other options? What are they? And maybe where can i get more info.

Answer 1

Yes, there are absolutely other options than prescribed medication. I myself have grown up with depression and anxiety. For a number of years my doctor had me on all types of anti depressant medication. Though medication can help there are many other options available. If you wanted to go a different route, there are natural supplements which you can buy at most healthfood stores or even online. I have found they can work just as well if not better than prescribed antidepressants. Supplement you should look into are things like St. Johns wart, 5-HTP, SAM-e and believe it or not Omega-3 fatty acids can also really help. I take 5-HTP instead of prozac which is what I was on and I believe it works just as well, if not better.
I have also recently come across a product called mind soothe which looks to be very promising http://www.nativeremedies.com/mindsoothe_for_depression.shtml

As well as taking suppliments..because in reality there is no miricle pill...you might want to try yoga...it can really help

Before you make any decisions you should talk to your doctor. I hope I was of some help :)

Answer 2

Have you looked into nutritional approaches? Low magnesium is one that can contribute to both depression and anxiety. There's lots of information available, so a bit of research might turn up something that helps.

Another possibility, which could be related, is that synthetic chemicals are contributing. Ashford and Miller have a stimulant-withdrawal model (think caffeine, nicotine, etc. except that it can be longer in duration) where the fragrance or other chemical stimulates the brain and body at first (possible manifesting as anxiety), but leaves a down as it is cleared from the body. A lot of people have problems with this sort of thing and it can effect the body in many different ways. Search on 'chemical injury' if you want more info.

Answer 3

There are so many books and support groups and theropy options out there to help you. One that has worked best for me is Relaxation Theropy, its like a Hypnosis, or a meditation, it works great. But I do suggest getting to the root of what is making you depressed and changing it, if it be a relationship or something else, deal with the problem, and realease. There are so many meds out there maybe your just not taking the right ones. Remeber one thing it will get better, nothing is worse than a panic attack..Think positive..

Answer 4

I'm with you eric ! LOL Pot (if it's the right variety) is very good.

If you don't want to go there, try melatonin tabs ONLY at night before you go to bed or if you're anxiety is extreme but you are not going to be driving. Valerian root helps too.

The best non-drug or herb way would be to condition your brain to understand it's own symptoms. Think "Ok..my synapses are not firing properly at the moment. This is not real and will pass when my brain unglitches the problem." By doing this, you subconsciously program yourself to not have responses of the extreme anxiety. You will find your episodes decreasing in both frequency and severity.

I know, I have these problems too. So do my daughters but none of us are on psych meds because we have programmed ourselves not to need them.

Also know what situations set you off and try to compromise. Try working night jobs when it's not busy. Drive backraods etc.. Panic attacks are usually spawned from over sensory stimulation..which I have.

Answer 5

Some of the treatments for anxiety disorders include:

Learning about anxiety
Relaxation techniques
Correct breathing techniques
Cognitive therapy
Behaviour therapy
Dietary adjustments
Exercise
Learning to be assertive
Building self-esteem
Structured problem solving

Answer 6

CBT cognitive behavior therapy is very good and effective - you should also try a lot of excercise and music - all these methods have been researched and show effectiveness

You cold also take omega 3 for depression but it takes 2-3 months to kick in
Niacin and vitamin C are also good alternatives
you should take your meds and the vitamins together and then slowly get lower dosage but it will be a long process

go check out www.crazymeds.org great site

Answer 7

the primary coarse of treatment for depression and anxiety should always be therapy, meds only is not the answer, as there are no magic pills. unless you talk with a therapist and get to the root of your problems and start to understand and deal with them your symptoms most likely will never completely disappear ! ask your dr. about joining some group and cognitive therapy programs, i have found that being able to hash things out with others who are going thru the same thing,along with the aide of meds. is a much better approach.

Answer 8

First 4 paragraphs of this webpage tell about a guy who was on 1 med for anxiety and 3 for depression and what he did with great results. Below that tells more about depression and altenatives.

http://phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 9

You need to have a good chat to your doctor, tell him exactly what you posted in your question! Your doctor will be able to advise re. medications. They might need to be changed, upped or anything really! You need a medications review.

As for what to do to help yourself, you should ask a referral to stress management and relaxation classes. They would help you a lot because providing solutions for panick times. For instance teach you to identify factors that cause you to become more anxious/depressed, while providing you with exercises to help relieve the stress.

There are many forms of relaxation, i think deep breathing is good because it helps you instantly in a crisis, but there are other ways too. You could maybe find out about muscles deep relaxation, visualisation, self hysnosis, to name but a few.

You can also asked to be referred for counselling. There are many forms of it! Cognitive, behavioural, psychoanalysis, humanitarian (Based on Carl Rogers model) to name but the best known.

Then you have other forms of relaxation, such as reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy etc ...

It might help if you were to find out about all these options, do your homwork as it would help you regain control over stress/anxiety/depression, empower you to decide what would be best for you, so that you can tell your doctor that you want to try such and such thing, but still carry on with your medications.

Best wishes

Answer 10

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life