[ReneeS]

Hey all . . . I've just found this site so I'm a newbie here. I have just been made aware of an ongoing anxiety/panic issue, which I guess I've been dealing with my entire life but basically have been able to manage it until now. I'm going through a huge life change - specifically buying a home. About 2 weeks into the process of looking for a home, I started getting panic attacks and thoughts of gloom and doom. The purchase is daunting enough but when the brain starts thinking irrational thoughts and predicting horrible futures, I completely broke down and retreated from my normal life. I sought help from a therapist. Besides the exercises and meditations and getting things into motion and looking at the facts on paper, she suggested I might want to get an anti-depressant to have on hand to take the edge off. I am completely opposed to meds but the way I felt I thought perhaps I might try something like Xanax. My GP would not prescribe Xanax but instead REMERON, which is a 3 month course of action. When I got home I researched it and decided I didn't want to put my body through 3 months of this stuff. Anyone, here have success with natural supplements? Chamomile? Valerian root? Ready for any suggestions.

[gma45]

Welcome to PC! Buying a home can be stressful. I find for me relaxing and deep breathing help me the most. Chamomile tea does help me sleep better too. but deep breathing is the best of all the natural things for me. Good luck with your new house.

[~rider]

Hello, yes I've recently been diagnosed with high anxiety. To the point my doc is worried about other health issues from it, so it's important to deal with it promptly. I figured this out late in life.

I used Xanax a little last year mostly after therapy sessions which were brutal. My GP and T put that plan together. This year I got a proper mental diagnosis and my doc is very worried about my anxiety levels and wants something I can take for an extended time so Xanax is out. So I tried St. John's Wort and it's been pretty good. Not all are the same, so my GP said their medical practice recommends Perika (St. John's Wort) by Nature's Way among others. Even though it's more for depression, my depression is tied closely to anxiety so it worked for me. Maybe it'll work? It's over the counter, and natural. Took 4 weeks to fully kick in for me but I felt something the first 4-5 days. (3x per day w meals) It was more of a bridge that got me in a place where I wasn't as anxious so I could use a combination of meditation, mental exercises, diet and physical exercise. Walks/camping in nature also really help me a lot.

Hope you get calmed down soon!