Avoid taking any medications for colds, or illicit drugs, or any product containing caffeine. This includes coffee (even decaffeinated contains up to half the regular amount of caffeine), green or regular tea, cocoa, chocolate, Pepsi, Excedrin, Coca Cola, Red Bull, Mountain Dew, or No Doze (read labels!).
Caro, Ecco, decaffeinated Pepsi, or decaf Coca Cola, and herbal teas are alright, and there is a chocolate substitute made from carob. Magnesium is good for helping with anxiety, and is best obtained from dietary sources, such as dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach, silverbeet, or kale. Inorganic sources, such as supplements, are better than none, but silverbeet, or swiss chard is easy to grow, and a prolific producer. Eat with lemon juice, or any vinegar. Calcium, Zinc, and Vitamin B complex (the high quality, certified 100% from natural origins, which are more easily absorbed and utilised:- ask at vitamin/health food stores ) supplements may also be of benefit, if in insufficient amounts in the diet. Try pharmacies & supermarkets for the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/magnesium-for-depression.html View http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/adisease/anxiety/pplan.html Practise daily, one of the several relaxation techniques in http://your-mental-health.weebly.com/l.html or try T'ai Chi, yoga. Some people recommend seven blossoms tea, chamomile tea, or Valerian root, but Valerian should only be used for a short time, since its use may become habitual, and produce "Valerian hangovers" in some people.
SAMe: S-Adenosylmethionine is an important physiological agent involved in over 40 biochemical reactions in the body. Is a natural anti-depressant and has a calming effect. DOSAGE: 400 mg twice daily (CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, FIRST!). Caution: Do not use if you have bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder, or take prescription anti-depressants.
See the comprehensive section on herbs at http://www.drugdigest.org/ There is a proprietary product, containing only natural ingredients, available by internet order at: http://seredyn.com/order.html for $34.95 US/ 30 - 60 doses (less per unit if purchased in bulk, but I advise trying a small order first). I have no information on its efficacy.
At http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/ a number of proprietary medications, and treatments, are available. Arctic root was recommended, and St. John's Wort is a popular herbal treatment, but it can affect some medications that you may be taking, and takes a fair while to become effective with some people; up to 2 months, and should not be used by women taking contraceptive (birth control) pills, (see http://www.drweil.com/ :Herbs. There are websites devoted to that herb in page B of this website.
It acts to thin the blood, so should be discontinued 2 weeks before surgical procedures ( as with aspirin, and garlic ). I suggest taking it with a meal, to reduce further the slight risk of stomach upsets.
Other herbs used for anxiety include PassionFlower (Passiflora Incarnata), Lemon Balm, Lavender (tea) Hops, Verbena, Skullcap, and Reishi. Nettle tea, which is recommended by some for panic attacks, may also help, but some people are allergic to it. As with all herbal teas, use sweetening, if desired, BUT NO MILK OR CREAM!
(FROM: www.drweil.com "there are natural substances that you may want to try. Spearmint and chamomile teas are both mildly relaxing, and you can drink as much of them as you want. A stronger remedy is passionflower, made from a plant (Passiflora incarnata) native to southeastern United States. Passionflower products are available at herb and health food stores. The dose is one dropperful of the tincture in a little water or two capsules of a standardized extract up to four times a day as needed. Passionflower is not sedating."
KavaKava is sometimes recommended, but see the warning at http://www.erowid.org/plants/kava/kava.shtml , first. View http://www.mind.org.uk/ & http://www.kickbackwithkava.com/ Always tell your doctor/health practicioner/therapist what herbal remedies and dietary supplements you are taking. Discontinue use if stomach upsets result. Google: "anxiety; herbal remedies; compare", then select your choice, and Google: " ....... ; supplies" View: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Anxiety.htm and I strongly advise checking out ALL INGREDIENTS in any herbal/supplement product. At the very least, Google that product, together with CONTRAINDICATIONS, such as: "peppermint herbal tea; contraindications"
JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS NATURAL DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SAFE!
This advice applies particularly to pregnant, or breast feeding women, those about to undergo surgery, and those intending to do something potentially dangerous, such as going out on the roads. I also urge everyone taking prescription medication for anxiety (anxiolytics) to at least be aware of the information in: http://www.antidepressants.com/casualties.htm and antidepressant websites in page B, to look for side effects, and taper off their use very slowly, under medical advice. See http://www.theroadback.org/workbook.htm/workbook.htm about this. Check out any prescription medications at http://www.drugs.com/ and www.rxlist.com and always ask your doctor about possible side effects, so you know what to be on the lookout for, if it happens to you. http://crazymeds.us/ may be worth a look at, as well.
Always know the effects any medication or herbal remedy have on you before driving or doing anything dangerous. It is much better to use the techniques here, even in preference to the herbal remedies.
(FROM: YAHOO! ANSWERS): "Webmd.com has a pretty nice board for depression and anxiety. Go to the site, type anxiety into the search. Click on the anxiety and panic disorders health center. In the left menu will be "boards and blogs" which will take you to the mental health support group boards." http://www.webmd.com/
It may be categorized as being in the acupressure family, and is well worth a good tryout, and there are versions for use in public places, that look like you are massaging your temple, and for which you can reasonably claim you are treating a headache. Dr. Mercola also recommends a diet minimising, or eliminating sugar, reducing intake of grain products, and eating in accordance with your "nutritional type" at http://www.mercola.com/ SEARCHBAR (for their book) or a 20 question quiz is at http://www.naturalhealthcoach.com/tools
Recommended sugar substitutes are Xylitol or Stevia, from health food/vitamin stores. Minimisation of the use of products containing caffeine may help, as well. Avoid Aspartame, or Sucralose!
It is a good idea to use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy, at least for a while, to see what benefit you can derive from it. THE COLD SHOWER TECHNIQUE: I have not tried this, but it should be kept in mind, before trying prescription medications, view: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/showers.html Today's thought from Hazelden is:
Reflection for the Day
Just for today, I'll not be afraid of anything. If my mind is clouded with nameless fears*, I'll track them down and expose their unreality. I'll remind myself that only I am responsible for, and in sole charge of my life. What happened yesterday need not trouble me today. Do I accept the fact that it's in my power to make today a good one just by the way I think about it and what I do about it?
FOR TODAY:
May I make today a good day. May I know that it is up to me to assign to it qualities of goodness, through a positive attitude toward what the present is providing. May I be untroubled by vestiges of yesterday.
Today I Will Remember
To make it good. (NOTE: THE ABOVE EXCERPT HAS BEEN MODIFIED, TO MAKE IT MORE GENERALLY APPLICABLE). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OTHER TREATMENTS WORTH CONSIDERING FOR THOSE WITH ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES:
http://www.positivechoicenow.com/home/ Note that I have not tried this personally, but gather that it is based on shifting your attention to what is going on around you, rather than your internal state, and focusing on the various sights, sounds, and scents. If anyone reading this tries it (around $100) and finds it effective; kindly repay the help you found here, by emailing me at: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The B vitamins are important for the nervous system. They have been found to stabilize the body's lactate levels, which are responsible for anxiety attacks.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is particularly important. It is a known energizer that also exerts a calming effect.
Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) helps reduce anxiety and has a calming effect on the nerves.
Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B-3) is important in the production of certain brain chemicals. In large doses, it has a calming effect.
Include pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P) if you lack the enzymes to convert vitamin B6 to its active form.
Calcium and magnesium are important to prevent nervous tension. They relax a tense and overwrought nervous system. Calcium is a natural tranquilizer. Magnesium helps relieve anxiety, tension, nervousness, muscular spasms, and ties. Take magnesium in combination with calcium. Take them before bed to improve sleep. Alcohol robs the body of magnesium, causing nervousness and irritability.
Vitamin C is necessary for proper functioning of adrenal glands and brain chemistry. In large doses, it can have a powerful tranquilizing effect and is known to decrease anxiety. Take the variety with bioflavonoids. It is very important for dealing with stress. (Consult a physician before you start any mega vitamin therapy.)
Potassium is essential for proper functioning of the adrenal glands.
Low levels of selenium have been found in people with anxiety disorder. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects the heart.
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an important physiological agent involved in over 40 biochemical reactions in the body. Is a natural anti-depressant and has a calming effect.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) - This amino acid reportedly helps in anxiety.
Vitamin E helps transport oxygen to brain cells and protect them from free radical damage.
Zinc has a calming effect on the central nervous system.
Recommended Daily Dosages
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg one to three times daily
P-5-P, 100 mg
Extra vitamin B-1 (thiamine) - 50 mg 3 times daily, with meals.
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) - 50 mg 3 times daily.
Niacinamide - 100 mg 3 times daily. Caution- Do not substitute niacin for niacinamide. Niacin can be toxic in such high doses.
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids - 5,000-10,000 mg daily, in divided doses.
Vitamin E - 400 IU or as directed in the label. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
Calcium - 2,000 mg daily
Magnesium - 500-1,000 mg daily (My note: Try pharmacies & supermarkets for the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/magn… and I recommend 1,000mg)
Potassium - 99 mg daily
Selenium - 100-200 mcg daily Caution: If you are pregnant, do not exceed 40 mcg daily.
Zinc - 50-80 mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements.
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) - 400 mg twice daily. Caution: Do not use if you have manic-depressive disorder or take prescription anti-depressants.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)- 750 milligrams three times a day after meals.
My Note: A recent meta study of vitamin supplements showed that those of synthetic origin were associated with a reduced life expectancy. Those of natural origin, however were associated with an increased life expectancy. The only exception was vitamin C, (ascorbic acid) which was neutral. I am aware of advice, however, that for it to be utilised, synthetic vitamin C needs to be taken with some of the natural form, and/or bioflavonoids, which could explain the neutral result for synthetic vitamin C. There may well be other factors operating, however. Many people who choose to pay more for the natural vitamin supplements are more likely to be better informed about health issues, have a better diet, and exercise more than those who just buy whatever they see in the supermarket shelves, or on TV ads, etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some popular combination products are Seredyn, and Serelax. There are many more, but check out all the ingredients. Google: (for example) "seredyn; supplies" _______________________________________________________________________________________________
THIS WEBPAGE HAS BEEN GIVEN IT'S FIRST EDIT FOR WEEBLY.