Does anyone know a harmless cure for anxiety?

Question

I have anxiety, which I define as uneasiness multiplied by a factor of 10. At night, I FEEL something bad is going to happen, though I don't THINK something bad is going to happen. Prescription Rx's abound, and they work, but side effects have been permanently damaging at worst, or they cause withdrawal symptoms after one pill, or short term memory losses occur, which I worry may be permanent. Please don't recommend a shrink; this is the first recommendation that comes to most people's minds (Seek professional help, etc). I've tried several shrinks. I told the last shrink that I would take his recommended, untried anti-anxiety pill, if he would take one first. Do you think he did, or didn't? Maybe you know something natural, or have another idea. Thanks, I.M. Nervous

Answer 1

BREATHE -- it is the most natural thing to do, to relax you.

Be aware of your breathing and breathe from the abdomen.

Say affirmations as you breathe:

"Breathing in, I am a flower....Breathing out, I am fresh."

Do this for a while and you will relax

Also cut out all stimulant foods -coffee, soda, white sugar.

Answer 2

Been there and tried many things but the thing I feel the most and agree with is to change your way of thinking, You cant change the past, others or the world but you can change the way U percieve them and learn to live in the present and just deal with each second at a time and do the best U can do because U will learn U are capable of great power that is within us all (we just need to learn the most effective ways to use it). Anyway, I am not the fastest reader so most books I listen to on tape or CD and have been through hundreds of them on: self-help, inspirational, Biblical as well as some great movies and documentaries and all have helped me to see things from many different views. I see a Therapist 1 to 2 times a month and sometimes once a week when really needed. I tell him things I dont want to dump on my friends because sometimes I feel really bad. I have an older daughter who is very ill and struggling and I have been grasping at everything to try and find the answers to all my questions. My Therapist doesnt say much but its nice to here myself talk and he always leaves me with some thought I remember. Eating Good organic if possible fruits and veg. and whole grain breads,nuts and a wide variety of food but each in moderation, drink lots of clean water,and do some form of excercise U enjoy. Yoga,stretching and Marshall Arts are great. Also meditation and massage if possible. Breathing is very important too. Im 46, have a bachelor of science in Nutrition and am still trying to figure it out, U learn new things everyday and find out what will work for YOU as an individual.

Answer 3

Yes yoga and other exercise are excellent, and key factors in overcoming anxiety, as reduced caffeine intake is a big plus. However recognize that anxiety is fear, and to overcome fear you must change your way of negative thinking to positive by asking why your even scared in the first place and depending on your answer you may or may not need talk therapy, but either way, exercising , reading the King James Bible and trying to get some formal education or training in a direction that interests you is where you need to begin. All are necessary, and will give you the confidence to see things differently and give you the strength and wisdom to overcome your fear, which is caused by anger which is caused by poor self-esteem, and this is on no way intended to sound mean. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Ask yourself WHY you are feeling this way. What in your past contributed to this? Can you pinpoint exactly when your first attack happened?

Often, there is a traumatic event that happens and then the attacks follow.

When they take place, take control over your thoughts. Say to yourself that what you are feeling is not rational based on...whatever fits. For example; you feel something bad is going to happen. Are you safe in your home behind locked doors? If so, how can something bad happen to you? That isn't rational is it?

I suggest counseling (talk therapy) to help you find the cause of your symptoms. Only severe cases really need medication. Behavior modification, biofeedback, etc., all can work too. Find out what is best for your case.

Answer 5

Well, my husband and I have horrible anxiety. He is on an antidepressant, I am not. I don't like the medication, so I found an alternative. It's called Valeriana root. You brew it into a tea. The only drawback is that it does make me feel as if I've taken at least 2 muscle relaxers. Best taken 30-60 mins before bed. You can find it at www.salviasupply.com.(in the sedatives (don't let that scare you) section on the left side halfway down) Good luck...It's not horribly expensive, but I would suggest using it only when your anxiety is on the bad side...

Answer 6

I sometimes get the same feeling once in a while, altho obviously not as strong or often as you do. The only thing I can do at those times is to find something to keep me busy for a while until I can calm down and relax. I've even cleaned my entire apartment at times. No, I'm not going to tell you to see a shrink. I doubt very much that he took that pill!
I wonder if Acupuncture might work for you? Just a thought, as it seems to work for other things.

Answer 7

I have severe anxiety and have tried many different medications. I have had a lot of side effects with these medications. The last medication I was put on Buspar, has given me the least probelms out of all of the medications. I would suggest trying Buspar. It helped my blood pressure go from a bad 160/90 to 108/80.

Answer 8

Do you drink caffeine? If so cut down. If you cannot take medicines then I would recommend getting involved in some form of exercise. Pilates and yoga are good because they have you take relaxing breaths as you exercise. Plus, if you do enough you'll be so tired at night you won't have the enery to worry. On nights I can't get my mind to shut off and I am feeling stressed I put the sleep timer on the TV and fall asleep watching a comedy to distract me.

Answer 9

A lot of excellent answers here. Yes to meditation, to exercise, to Buspar - took it for 15 yrs, finally weaned myself off through thought reordering. I did have a small side effect of drowsiness and foggy head. My solution was just to take it about 10 mins before bed. Avoided problems caused by drowsiness and it worked like a sleep pill to get me to sleep. Yes to Bible reading - especially passage about peace and security. It works best just before bed for this purpose.

I also recommend omega fats - 3 & 6. The fish oil fats. These help to regulate mood and in the process help to calm you and reduce anxiety. Though as severe as you are talking, I would try the Buspar if it's not one you've yet tried. They have a generic out so you can get it cheap.

Answer 10

1. Take a multivitamin every day. Deficiencies in B vitamins can affect mood, i.e. depression, anxiety. A healthy diet and sufficient vitamins also help the body regulate hormones that influence mood, such as the stress hormone cortisol.
2. Establish an exercise routine. If your anxiety is highest at night, then the evening may be a good time. Yoga may be relaxing, but you may also try jogging or biking. Moderate to intense activity (increased heart rate and breathing for sustained time) causes the brain to produce endorphins, which help counteract the effects of pain and stress. You will also expend extra energy that may be contributing to the evening anxiety. As your muscles relax afterwards, you may find it easier to fall asleep.
3. Progressive muscle relaxation. This is based on the theory that the body cannot be relaxed and anxious at the same time. Start with each hand. Paying attention to the tension, tighten the muscles of your hand into a fist (for about ten seconds) and then release, relaxing each muscle in your hand completely (for 20 to 30 seconds). Repeat with your forearms, then biceps. Tighten the muscles of your face, then relax. Repeat with your neck, and then shoulders. Move on to your chest, then abdomen, and then lower back. The last group will be your thighs, buttocks, calves, and feet. Return to or repeat muscle groups that are not completely relaxed. Remember not to hold your breath as you tighten each muscle.
4. Visualization. Sit in a comfortable chair, lay in bed, or take a warm bath. Take a series of deep breaths. Release tension with each exhalation. With your eyes closed, allow your mind to wander. Picture yourself in a relaxing environment. Use as much detail as you possibly can. What sounds would you hear? What sort of things can you smell and taste? Try to picture each detail. If you are having a difficult time choosing an image, start with your immediate surroundings and imagine
yourself floating upward and out of the room. Picture your worries as lights dimming in the background. When you are ready, slowly allow the images to fade, stretch, and open your eyes.
5. Keep a diary or journal each day. Be sure to note when your anxiety is the worst, what you did that day (activities, conversations, even food you ate), and what you where thinking about. Eventually you may begin to notice themes, things that help reduce it, and things that make it worse.
6. Reality checking. Talk to someone you trust when you get that sense of dread. Sometimes verbalizing it helps. Ask them if you can vent to them for a little while. Just hearing someone say, "I understand that you are scared, but everything is alright now. It is okay to relax," may help.
Try to avoid herbal remedies like St. John's Wort and kava. While some people may find them helpful, they often use or act through the same mechanisms as perscription drugs, yet they are unregulated. There is nothing guaranteeing thier potency or purity, and they may have similar dangerous interactions and contraindications as perscription medicines.
Depending on your resources, you can also try hypnotherapy, acupuncture, or massage, which all have clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness in some situations.
Best wishes.

Answer 11

You might not need a shrink... I get anxious too sometimes...it's normal and natural. You just have to come up with good ways to deal with it. I tend to breath slowly. You CAN try Kava Kava. It's an herb and it works for me great. You can get it in health food stores. As with all herbs, some research says it isn't the best, but there is something negative with everything. It works for me an my friend and is non addictive.