How is the best way to deal with anxiety, besides SSRI's or Benzo's?

Question

I hav had anxiety for years, I don't like meds as they have far too many side effects, how do you deal with anxiety

Answer 1

YOGA!

Really helps center and relax.


It combines body movements with breath and I've been doing it for a while now and not only will yoga (which is mostly stretching and breathing) help you reverse the aging process, it helps calm the body down. It is healthy!

Answer 2

Exercise. I was on Lexapro for 4 years for depression and social anxiety. It was effective for about 3 years, then the effects diminished.

I had been reading articles that claimed that exercise could tame a whole host of mental issues.

I joined a gym, started going every day after work, and I can tell you that I haven't felt this good in 10 years at least.

I still feel some social anxiety, but it's not that bad anymore. I'm not depressed. And I can fall asleep and stay asleep through the entire night, which was near impossible 6 months ago.

I look forward to going every day. I know that it's going to relax me and put me in a good mood. It's a lot like taking xanax in that you know relief is coming, and the fact that you know relief is coming has a great calming effect.

And the nasty little side effect is that you tone up, look good, and your confidence goes up. =)

If you want to get a grip on your anxiety in a natural way, go to the gym. I can't say it enough how much it has helped me.

And do a search for anxiety, depression, exercise, and mental health.

Here's one article, but there's literally hundreds: http://www.fitness.gov/mentalhealth.htm

Answer 3

Hi! I’m so sorry to hear you’re suffering from anxiety. If you want to try some self-help, the following steps should help eliminate (or significantly reduce) your anxiety:

1. Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for anxiety. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elear... It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.

3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. This site has instructions on how to do it without the tapes (and other useful info): http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...

I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!

Answer 4

I think Josh certianly has a good idea. Exercise is great for a number of mental health concerns, especially depression and anxiety. As others have mentioned as well, Yoga, or other yoga-like activities are nice too, because they focus on deep, controlled breathing and relaxation.

Outside of exercise, other ways of non-medicinal help will depend on the type of anxiety you experience (do you fear specific things, do you fear social situations, do you worry excessively about a lot of different things, do you experience intrusive, bothersome thoughts that you need to DO something to get rid of, etc). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and it's various forms are some of the most research-supported treatments of anxiety. This type of therapy involves thought-stopping, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring (challenging anxious thinking and developing more effective coping thoughts), amongst other things.

One of the most human and instinctive ways to deal with anxiety is to avoid the source of that anxiety, which is sometimes something identifiable, and other times not. However it manifests, that avoidance simply reinforces the anxious thinking and behaviors. Thus, an important part of many types of treatment of anxiety is exposure. Whether it's to a specific object, to social situations, to certain activities (e.g., flying), or to the actual thoughts themselves (such as with individuals who experience intrusive thoughts characterstic of OCD), some types of exposure exercises often help a person to take a real-world approach to facing the fear. The exposure is done in a slow, mastery-building sort of manner. It's also best when done with a trained mental health professional.

If you are not open to therapy just yet, some reading on mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or thought stopping can be helpful. (Along with the aforementioned good ideas like working out, doing yoga, etc.) Aaron Beck, Judith Beck, and Christine Pedesky (sp?!) are EXCELLENT cognitive behavioral therapists who have published multiple books. They might be worth checking out. :)

Answer 5

Get an aquarium for you home. The bathroom is a good place to put it, directly across from the commode so that you are forced to stare at it often. Gaze at it often. Go to a local aquarium, ocean, creek, river, or stream. Just watch the water flow by without any distraction. Watch the fish move around in the aquarium. In time this will relieve your stress and anxiety. It is possible to rest your mind and envision water flowing. If you can do this several times a day too. Best wishes!

Answer 6

Amino Acids are the best, herbs, vitamins & minerals help too. These help:

1: Gaba (#1 anxiety amino acid)
2: L-Theanine - amino acid
3: 5-htp - amino acid
4: Valarian - herb
5: Magnesium Citrate - mineral (best in capsule or liquid)
6: Passion Flower - herb
7: Kava Kava - herb

There is a product called "anxiety control 24" that is made by a company called www.painstresscenter.com. You can go online or call and they can answer many of your questions re: anxiety and what to take. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Anxiety is inside your head. You are creating it by thinking about things that will probably never happen. YOU and only YOU can get it out. Medication just makes you forget but it's still there. I"m claustrophobic and have been for years and I have panic attacks about not being able to breathe but I refuse to take medications, because like you I hate them. So I control myself. I have to talk myself into becoming calm and realizing that I have air to breathe no matter where I am. So you might want to try and find a really good meditation center with professionals, that would probably help you a lot.
Doctors just like to give you medicine and get rid of you...
My husband used to suffer from depression and of course the doctor gave him some kind of pill. Well after about a week, I changed his pills for aspirins, knowing full well that he didn't need them. And he kept telling me that he was feeling much better. After that week I finally told him, that I had changed the pills and that it was in his head and that he could get out of it by himself.
So breathe, go outside, enjoy your life and meditate. I'm sure you can do it....
The best of luck to you

Answer 8

I think it really depends on the level of your anxiety. I take Neurontin (not a benzo) for my severe anxiety as well as weekly psychotherapy. Its worked wonders for me and I hope to return to work within the year.

Good luck and take care of you!
Dee

Answer 9

There are many other options apart from main stream medications. Reiki, EFT, Bach Flowers, Homeopathy, Deep breathing, Yoga, Meditation, .....

Pl. explore the various options and see what helps you. Faith in a higher power also helps many people.

Answer 10

Abilify helps me deal with my anxiety, but I have bipolar disorder. I would get to a psychiatrist and get a proper diagnosis and treatment.