I have panic/anxiety disorder, how can you cope with that and depression without taking drugs?

Question

(before i explain things, i want everyone to know i'm not like all of the other whinny little teenagers claiming they are "depressed" because it seems it's become a fad of some sort.)i'm only seventeen and fresh out of high school and idon't see the point to life anymore. i'm angry all the time, i cry a lot and i just can't be happy. i wan't to be content and carefree like i used to be... on top of all things i get panic attacks like really often, i don't want to take drugs but therapy isn't cutting it for me...help? (only serious answers, please)

Answer 1

YOU THINK TOO MUCH THAT IS WHY YOU PANIC MORE!

LEARN TO FOCUS MORE ON LITTLE THINGS AND DON'T GET STRESSED OUT..LEARN HOW TO COPE WITH EVERYDAY LIVING.

FIND A NEW HOBBY TO KEEP YOUR MIND BUSY.

Answer 2

First remember that psychiatric drugs affect people in different ways. One antidepressant may be a miracle cure for one person while it makes anxiety worse for another. However, SSRIs, SNRIs (like Cymbalta), and TCAs (also known as the Tricyclic Antidepressants) are the best medicines for depression - in that order. They also have the possibility of treating anxiety as well. Usually, if you fail to respond to two or more antidepressants of one "class" (i.e. SSRI) at various doses - that "class" might not be right for you. The safest drugs to start on are the SSRIs like Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil. Personally, I've found Zoloft, Lexapro, and Cymbalta to only work a little. I am currently on Luvox CR and it helps with the repetitive worries but does nothing else). For anxiety, the benzodiazepines are the best. However, there always has to be a catch - they are addictive and cause tolerance so you keep on having to increase the dose. They are usually fast acting and work very well. If you have panic attacks every once in a while, Xanax is the best one. However, if you have Panic Disorder or repetitive panic, Klonopin can be better. I am currently on a moderate dose and it has really helped. Still, be warned. THEY ARE ADDICTIVE and SHOULD BE USED SPARINGLY!! BuSpar is a non-addictive augmentation medicine (an add-on for anti-depressants) that is supposed to be good for anxiety. I tried it for three weeks with no promise. Just more headaches. By the way, if you are having really bad side effects (such as tiredness and trouble decision-making) you should try to slowly decrease the dose to the previous level you were on. It takes time (sadly) to adjust to the medicine so wait two or more weeks before changing the dose again. I am NOT a doctor so ask your PCP or psychiatrist to help you with the specifics.

Answer 3

Okay, serious answer?

I fought taking medication for the longest time. I hated the idea that I couldn't "fix" this problem on my own.

The fact is, I've said this before and I'll keep right on saying it, depression is a MEDICAL issue, that's why there is medication for it.

I started taking Paxil about two years ago and it has done wonders. I know it works because I did what just about everyone else does. When I started feeling better, I thought I was all okay and stopped taking it. Needless to say, this was a dumb move, but it helped me realize that I was better off taking it.

I need the Paxil becase my brain can't process seratonin correctly. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps carry "mood messages" from nerve to nerve. In my brain, when the seratonin is supposed to cross from one nerve to the next, it leaves one nerve, gets "lost" and goes back where it started. The Paxil creates a barrier, so instead of going back where it started, more of the seratonin goes where it is supposed to go.

The medication is just part of it, however. All it does is help me to think clearly and rationally, so that I can build some healthy coping skills. I have learned what triggers my depression, how to keep myself from getting depressed, and enables me to pull myself out of a funk should it get that far.

One little white pill a day is all I need. It stands between me and total uselessness, because when I am at my worst, I can barely function. I still go to therapy once a month, I used to go once a week.

Don't be afraid of medication. If you were diabetic, you'd take insulin, right? If you had an infection, you'd take antibiotics, right? This is the same thing. It's medical, not a personality flaw or character weakness.

Talk to your therapist about medication.

Answer 4

I think definitely try to find a doctor that can help you. Cognitive therapy is very important. I also agree that meditation and yoga can help. Nobody likes to take drugs but I think it works very well in combination with therapy. It is not something to be a shamed of. If we have cancer we take meds to get better, this is no different. It is an illness. I have a friend who suffers from this and what you are going through is no joke. It is not something you can turn off like a lightswitch, depression is real and so is anxiety. Take care and hope things get better for you!

Answer 5

Okay, here's your serious answer. Buy this book: "The Feeling Good Handbook" by Dr. David Burns. Read it and do the assignments diligently for four weeks, at least. You should start to feel better after the third week, but keep doing it until you don't have to think about it. It got me out of suicidal depression. You may read my story here:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

It's particularly difficult, but considering the alternative, you don't really have much choice. It does get easier week by week. Email me, if you have any questions. I've been over it for about a year now and thank God nearly every day. No drugs, doctors, or anything. Just good mental and physical health. Trust me.

'nuff said?

Answer 6

If you're in therapy and it's not helping, you might want to go to another one. They're not all one in teh same. Maybe someone could help you better. As for the panic and axiety attacks, when you feel one coming on, step back and do some deep breathing exercises. I have panic and anxiety attacks, too and I have found that these deep breathing exercises have helped a bunch. Give it a try and see if it works for you.

Answer 7

You might want to consider having two therapist who will view you differently and both help you come up with new strategies to try out. Breathing exercises are wonderful. I had anxiety disorder during college and trying to figure out my life in my late teens early 20s. I eventually learned to relax and just take one moment at a time. I relied on prayer and my boyfriend (now husband) and mom to help me. Just talking it out can do wonders for you. It wouldn't hurt to try acupuncture, or maybe it would. Good luck!

Answer 8

Download the free manual at www.emofree.com My son is trying it for various similar symptoms. I have ordered the $60 videos, but he got some help with the free manual, then found a short bit of video on the web to give him some idea how hard and how fast to tap.

Craig says it is like acupuncture, but uses finger taps on energy points instead of needles. He claims to have cured PTSD in vets who have been messed up for decades, in less than a day.

Frankly it does sound as if you are a candidate for meds, but if you can last a few weeks, try the URL and order the videos.

Answer 9

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

Answer 10

therapy helped me, if you havent already you might want to try a different therapist, I am taking something for it and can understand why you dont want to.

if your therapist isnt helping then you can try what i did, right after you have a panic attack or are crying or feeling sad, then go to your computer and start typing your every thought without changing it or anything, untill your tired of typing or feel better, then print it out and give it to your therapist, see what he/she says about it.

if there is anything that triggers the panic attacks you should try to avoid them or figure out a way to get around them. With me its needles, i cant stand them and cant sleep when im thinking about them, so what my therapist told me to do is whenever i cant sleep or want to cry, just calm down and relax, then think about something good, then after its over, treat yourself with something, like go shopping or see a movie so that its not only bad. it has helped me.

you can also try looking for something to do with your spare time that you might like, try new things untill you find something you like to do, maybe even try meeting new people or going someplace new.

just dont give up..im hoping the best for you!! :)