Does anyone have any good over the counter remedies for anxiety?
I’m suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and lack of concentration due to some things going on in my life and can’t get to a psych. for meds, anyone have any remedies or suggestions?
I’m suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and lack of concentration due to some things going on in my life and can’t get to a psych. for meds, anyone have any remedies or suggestions? I should add, I meditate, read and write, drink tea’s and exercise, ( and smoked pot ) which has worked for most of my life, but this situation I’m in is the toughest I’ve experienced and none of the basics seem to work at all.
Comfort foods are called *comfort* foods for a very good reason. When you eat egg noodles or mashed potatoes, for instance, you’re giving your body what it needs to make more serotonin.
For a few hours of relief, crawl into the shower. The pelting of a forceful hot shower will massage the skin and relax those muscles. Slowly switch to a cold shower, and concentrate on keeping your head under the water. If you can retire to a "cave" – a place that’s quiet and dark with high humidity – for thirty minutes, you should be able to cope for the next few hours.
Relaxation tapes drive me crazy, but if music does have an effect. The key is finding something that relaxes you, and that is probably different for every person.
The right kind of sex, with a partner you trust, can reduce anxiety and improve concentration for up to 72 hours. If there are relationship issues, though, it can just make things worse.
There has been some discussion above, of using mary jane to relieve anxiety. It works for some folks, although if you have asthma, you need to stick to brownies. Alcohol is also used to self-medicate; it’s not as safe to use medically, but it is safer legally. If you’re scared of getting caught using weed, that’s not going to help matters any.
Good sleep hygiene is *very* important. If you’re not getting your 8 hours a day, it exacerbates things. Decades ago, they used tricyclic antidepressants to treat severe anxiety because people would sleep 15 hours a day or more. The sleep cure wasn’t perfect, by any means, but it *did* produce results.
Mindless exercise helps. If someone is trying to "get in shape", weeding the garden or carrying baskets of clothing upstairs is great exercise, but for anxiety, you don’t want to think about what you’re doing, or how much you’re accomplishing. A therapist once told me to walk 100 miles a day – I doubt I could walk 20 – and I’d be cured within a month, if for no other reason than I’d run out of continent and drown in the ocean. I think that was a joke, but he was serious about mindless walking.
Some people relieve mild anxiety by rubbing a "pocket piece", perhaps a smooth stone, a silver dollar, or a pocket watch. It probably isn’t effective by itself, but it seems to help a little.
Sometimes, a craft or hobby can divert your attention from those "things going on in my life". For instance, learning gourmet cooking, painting, giving tantric massage, or taking up golf or fishing.
Depending on what those "things" are, you may be able to resolve them. A new job often will *increase* anxiety, though, and the same goes for divorce.
Comments
Comment from Blue
Time January 6, 2010 at 3:38 am
I smoke pot and stay away from caffeine. Works like a charm.
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Comment from Tammi D
Time January 6, 2010 at 3:48 am
have you considered non drug solutions
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Comment from Tranquil L
Time January 6, 2010 at 4:06 am
I can’t believe someone would recommend pot! How stupid! If anything that would only make you paranoid anyway, so please don’t listen to such inane advice.
You sound like you might need a prescription medication to deal with your anxiety. I’m not sure where you live but chances are that you do not need to see a psychiatrist to get medical assistance for this problem. Your family doctor should be able to help you with this, no problem at all.
In the meantime, you could try some chamomile tea maybe, along with other types of soothing therapy such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises etc. There is a wealth of information available online to help you out with this.
Good luck, and remember to breathe…….!
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Personal experience!
Comment from Astral
Time January 6, 2010 at 4:12 am
Try to eliminate caffeine and seriously watch your sugar intake.
Valerian root works well for a lot of people for anxiety.
Hit the library and read up on breathing exercises and other coping skills for anxiety.
good luck 
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Comment from west_xylaphone
Time January 6, 2010 at 4:50 am
kava kava and st. john’s wort work well for anxiety, but be careful about mixing the two, because i don’t know if they’re good to mix.
also, staying away from caffine, especially close to bed time, is really helpful! i’ve even heard that some red dyes can make you more anxious.
i’d suggest looking on webmd for a few natural relievers of anxiety.
good luck. when you can, do see a doctor, because a good SSRI will be amazing for you.
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Comment from Rosee
Time January 6, 2010 at 4:57 am
Try drinking chamomile tea. Also, valerian root capsules can be calming. Both may make you sleepy, however.
References :
Comment from Sisir
Time January 6, 2010 at 5:08 am
Feelings come from thoughts.Change the thoughts–this will help you to change your anxiety. Medidate yourself–sit in a lonely place–close your eyes–think about your God–pray to Him–Oh God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I can not change–the courage to change the things that I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
References :
Comment from Paul Ding
Time January 6, 2010 at 5:13 am
Comfort foods are called *comfort* foods for a very good reason. When you eat egg noodles or mashed potatoes, for instance, you’re giving your body what it needs to make more serotonin.
For a few hours of relief, crawl into the shower. The pelting of a forceful hot shower will massage the skin and relax those muscles. Slowly switch to a cold shower, and concentrate on keeping your head under the water. If you can retire to a "cave" – a place that’s quiet and dark with high humidity – for thirty minutes, you should be able to cope for the next few hours.
Relaxation tapes drive me crazy, but if music does have an effect. The key is finding something that relaxes you, and that is probably different for every person.
The right kind of sex, with a partner you trust, can reduce anxiety and improve concentration for up to 72 hours. If there are relationship issues, though, it can just make things worse.
There has been some discussion above, of using mary jane to relieve anxiety. It works for some folks, although if you have asthma, you need to stick to brownies. Alcohol is also used to self-medicate; it’s not as safe to use medically, but it is safer legally. If you’re scared of getting caught using weed, that’s not going to help matters any.
Good sleep hygiene is *very* important. If you’re not getting your 8 hours a day, it exacerbates things. Decades ago, they used tricyclic antidepressants to treat severe anxiety because people would sleep 15 hours a day or more. The sleep cure wasn’t perfect, by any means, but it *did* produce results.
Mindless exercise helps. If someone is trying to "get in shape", weeding the garden or carrying baskets of clothing upstairs is great exercise, but for anxiety, you don’t want to think about what you’re doing, or how much you’re accomplishing. A therapist once told me to walk 100 miles a day – I doubt I could walk 20 – and I’d be cured within a month, if for no other reason than I’d run out of continent and drown in the ocean. I think that was a joke, but he was serious about mindless walking.
Some people relieve mild anxiety by rubbing a "pocket piece", perhaps a smooth stone, a silver dollar, or a pocket watch. It probably isn’t effective by itself, but it seems to help a little.
Sometimes, a craft or hobby can divert your attention from those "things going on in my life". For instance, learning gourmet cooking, painting, giving tantric massage, or taking up golf or fishing.
Depending on what those "things" are, you may be able to resolve them. A new job often will *increase* anxiety, though, and the same goes for divorce.
References :
Comment from Mark N
Time January 6, 2010 at 5:21 am
Have you considered looking into your higher powers suggestions. Long walks with him and yourself could reveal alot of things you need to know about yourself…
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Comment from afterworkllc
Time January 6, 2010 at 3:15 am
POT
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