Anxiety

moomies · January 28th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Does anyone here suffer from anxiety?
I think I have a mild generalized anxiety. I had a panic attack in early Dec but I haven't had any since. Still, I get this feeling of nervousness and I just quite don't feel right. I sometimes take St. John's Wort but it doesn't seem like it's working. Is this something that you need to take regularly over time? And also, on the instruction, it says to take 1 capsle 3 times a day. Would it be safe if I upped the dosage? When I take it, I only take one a day so can I just take 2 capsle at a time but only 2 for the day?
I don't want to go see a doc about it cuz it's really mild and I want to alleviate it as naturally as possible (i.e. no psych meds).

SVZ · January 28th, 2006, 07:21 PM

I realize I do now, now that I'm not in school and truly know what 'calm' is. I was in total panic every single day of school and did not realize it. No wonder my liver and body where out of wack....

St. John's Wort I think when compared to a placebo did the same...you might want to try fish oils though (a good filtered one, the mercury is dangerous)

moomies · January 28th, 2006, 07:30 PM

I have a pretty good quality salmon oil, would that help?

Dracko · January 28th, 2006, 07:49 PM

Moomies,

You might want to look in to products such as: 5-HTP, L-Theanine and Rhodiola found in your local health food stores.

St. John's Wort is indicated for depression, but lesser so for anxiety. It does take a while to become effective as well. Keep in mind also, that the studies done on it used 300mg of a standardized herbal extract taken 3 times per day.

L-theanine = works to stimulate the alpha waves in the brain, which are responsible for the awake-yet relaxed state of the body. It is helpful for concentration and acclimating the body to stress. People use it for ADD, when studying, under stress, etc. It's not ideal for depression, but more effective for insomnia when your mind won't shut down and generalized anxitey from stress. Very safe and acts almost instantly in the body when consumed.

5-HTP = extremely good for depression and has been shown in double-blind, placebo controlled test studies to work more effectively (and quicker) than SSRI type anti-depressants (Prozac, Luvox, etc). It is especially good for people with depression and low-grade anxiety.

http://www.doctormurray.com/newsletter/3-04-2005.htm

Rhodiola = an herb that is extremely helpful for those with anxiety and stress that causes mental/emotional/physical fatique. You know, when you just feel like you need to sleep cuz of anxiety. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Not good for those who suffer from bipolar depression.

If it were me, I would use the 5-HTP instead of the St. John's Wort if you are looking for a natural therapy for depression and anxiety and the L-theanine occasionally for generalized anxiety.

I like SVZ's comment about fish oils as well as the Omega-3's feed the nerves and can make your body healthier overall. Deficiencies of DHA/EPA relate into a multitude of cardiovascular, memory and mood disorders. Finding a good quality pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 supplement in your health food store isn't that hard. http://www.doctormurray.com/newsletter/1-22-2003.htm

Good luck...

Further to your question I just read about the Salmon Oil. What you have to keep in mind is that it the EPA/DHA (long-chain fatty acid) levels in the fish is what gives you the benifits. Salmon Oil is typically good for maintenance as it provides a 1:1 ratio of the EPA/DHA. An Omega-3 oil complex derived from anchovy/sardine/mackerel gives you a 2:1 ratio, which is better. Buying a product guaranteed to be from wild-fish is the way to avoid mercury toxicity in a product as well. You want to find one that is molecularly distilled, sourced from wild-fish & pharmaceutical grade.

Daphne · January 28th, 2006, 07:49 PM

I suffered from the worst anxiety my first two years of college. It was so bad that I would throw up before going to class. I have no idea what happened. I was an overachiever in high school, and I wanted to be perfect in college; this pressure drove me half mad.

I took Paxil for two years and although it made me gain about 20lbs, it did control my anxiety. I've weened myself off of it the last two months, and I'm down to 5mg a day. Now that I have my degree and my life is moving along nicely, I'm more self-confident; I no longer need the medication.

I would only start taking medication if the anxiety is so bad that you cannot get through everyday normal life. If it isn't, as you say it isn't, I would see a psychologist who can help you work on behavior modification. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

IceQueen · January 28th, 2006, 08:07 PM

I have depression and anxiety - and i hate taking medication for it because it causes me to gain weight. I actually had to break down and schedule a meeting with a counselor. You can visit psychologists who can help you with the behavior therapy, and there are things you can do to help alleviate your anxiety - like exercise, eating healthy and so on. If it is bad, I would definately seek the help of a psychologist though!

moomies · January 28th, 2006, 09:09 PM

Thanx everyone for your advice. Thanks Dracko for the detailed info. I'll go check out the health/supplement store nearby.
I was really sick from Oct to Dec due to some GI problems I had and I think that somewhat contributed to the panic attack and the anxiety. I would just make myself sick by worrying what diseases I could have and I imagined the worst possible etc.
I was feeling quite horrible in Dec with anxiety and some heart palpitations. I would start to get that special feeling like you are about to have a panic attack (shallow breathing, heartbeat pumping etc) but I forced myself to calm down. I did some meditation and also some music therapy on my own. That seems to have helped a lot.
I've been doing well health-wise since the beginning of Jan but anxiety creeps up on me from time to time.
Again thanks everyone for your input.

Dracko · January 28th, 2006, 09:10 PM

Forgot to mention another product that tends to work very, very quickly on anxiety. I used it many years ago when my mom died and found it extremely helpful. I believe it is available in Canada under the NOW brand in health food stores.

Quote:

GABBA
Popularly referred to as the body's natural tranquilizer, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid produced in the brain. It acts as a neurotransmitter--a chemical that fosters communication between nerve cells--and helps to keep stress-related nerve impulses at bay.

Normally, the brain pumps out all the GABA we need. Unfortunately, due to a poor diet, exposure to environmental toxins, or other factors, levels of GABA may become depleted. Too little of this important compound may result in anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. A deficiency of GABA has also been linked to depression.

Because various safety issues have recently surfaced concerning the use of the popular tranquilizing herb kava, nutritionally oriented physicians have begun recommending GABA more frequently. Basically, the clinical effect of both GABA and kava appears to be the same, namely they're both gentle and nonsedating tranquilizers. GABA is now available as a supplement in pill and powder form.

Health Benefits
GABA supplements appear to promote relaxation and sleep. They may also have a role to play in preventing seizures and allaying chronic pain.
While GABA has been tested for improving exercise tolerance, decreasing body fat, and stabilizing blood pressure, research on the supplement's effectiveness and safety for these purposes has been mixed at best. GABA supplements have also been proposed for improving concentration in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and promoting prostate health, although it remains untested for these purposes.
Specifically, GABA supplements may help to:

Promote sound sleep. GABA participates in promoting relaxation, which explains why many well-known anxiety medications--Valium among them--target GABA receptors in the brain. But unlike many prescription tranquilizers, GABA is not habit-forming.

GABA itself does not cause drowsiness. Instead, by easing anxiety, it simply makes it easier to fall asleep. Some research indicates that the popular insomnia-fighting herb, valerian, boosts GABA levels too. When specifically treating sleep disorders, some people like to rotate GABA with valerian or melatonin, the popular hormone-based sleep supplement.

Allay stress. GABA may be taken to calm the mind and body. In this respect, it is much like better-known prescription tranquilizers, such as Xanax and Valium, but doesn't carry the fear of addiction. Persistent stress may also contribute to depression, and some evidence suggests that GABA may have mood-elevating properties.
Combat chronic pain. Stress can aggravate pain, making you feel worse. As a natural stress-reducer, GABA supplements can help to relieve the intensity of pain. They may also lessen pain-related nerve impulses.

moomies · January 28th, 2006, 09:15 PM

I was just reading about GABBA in a magazine I have. What a coincidence.

Thanks Dracko for the additional info.

Voodoo Child · January 28th, 2006, 09:16 PM

Most of my friends from Uni take valium for anxiety. Not that I advocate this. But they swear by it. Not the 5mg ones but the 2mg ones only so you can still stay awake to study etc and not fall asleep. (you just feel less stressed)

Dracko · January 28th, 2006, 09:26 PM

Keep in mind..

http://www.anxiety-and-depression-so...com/valium.htm

Quote:

Valium Side Effects:

Abdominal cramps, blurred vision, dry mouth, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, urination problems, convulsions, hallucinations, memory loss, trouble breathing, staggering / trembling, headache, clumsiness, sleepiness or confusion.
(If you experience any of the above serious side effects, stop taking valium and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately)

Prescription Drug Warnings for Valium:

Valium is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Valium is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use.

Avoid alcohol while taking valium. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Valium.

Valium is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Valium is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Valium may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Do not use if: You had negative reactions to other benzodiazepines, if you have a history of drug dependence, if you have had a stroke, if you have multiple sclerosis, if you have Alzheimer's disease, if you are seriously depressed or if you have other brain disorders. In addition, Valium is habit forming and may be difficult to quit. You will become dependant on this drug if you take it for more than 30 days!

Consider alternative solutions for symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Permanent relief can be found by learning to identify your feelings, and then developing coping techniques that can help you deal with your emotions. Alternative herbal medicines like St. Johns Wort, Valerian Root, Kava Kava, SAM-e and 5-HTP are another example of how you can find short and long term relief without the side effects of prescription drugs.

mklady · January 28th, 2006, 10:48 PM

Just a warning, there are potential interaction problems when taking some herbal otc supplements with prescription anti-depressants. I can't remember which ones specifically, I just remember the doctor telling my mom that, she was taking St. John's and Valerian Root at the time. So, if anyone decides to go to a doctor, let them know EVERYTHING you take, not just prescription meds.

Dracko · January 28th, 2006, 11:10 PM

Actually the majority of "natural" therapies for depression are NOT supposed to be taken with any kinds of tranquilizers, anti-depressants, etc. I hadn't mentioned that as moomies said she didn't want to take a pharmaceutical drug. But good thing to point out as some people fail to realize how effective many nutraceuticals can be and don't realize the contraindications with taking both those and pharmaceutical drugs.

Voodoo Child · January 28th, 2006, 11:19 PM

Yeah I said I didn't advocate valium. Seems to be Docs are all too willing to hand out this stuff too easily. I tried it once though and must say I liked it.

olivia720 · January 28th, 2006, 11:24 PM

The best thing in the world for anxiety is Alprazolam. It is a prescription drug. I've suffered from anxiety when i was an undergrad in college. I had horrific episodes in 8th grade. Now, I dont have a prob with it. But forgo all the "natural" stuff. Alprazolam is like a downer . . . just calms you down and bye bye anxiety. It works like a charm. Everyone should have some, imo.