My Panic Attack Solution

My boyfriend of 2 years has some problems…and I need some answer’s.

Since a child he was diagnosed A.D.D. Thinking he would eventually grow out of it…he never has and now at 29 it has actually gotten worse, he has a horrible temper and his mind races at 100 M.P.H constantly. I mean its so bad that daily he runs red- lights, not on purpose but because he can’t focus and he doesn’t pay attention. He is probably the worst person under a high stress situation that I have ever seen. He constantly has problems sleeping . He is so moody and gets aggravated very, very easily. As you can imagine this puts a huge toll on our relationship!

Now I have worked as a C.N.A on the psych ward and also helped with occupational therapy. I also have family and friends with sever depression and some w/ bi-polar disorder also have a niece with autism. So needless to say I know a little about mental disorders.
My boyfriend does know and fully admits he has a problem. He’s not too big on the whole therapy idea. So lately he has been taking Xanax and it has made a world of difference!!! We both love what the Xanax does for him, but I don’t want him to become addicted to this! I myself have had addiction problems with very dangerous drugs in the past called "oxcy" and I know how addictive Xanax can be. I told him to only take Xanax in panic attack mode, but by that point its sometimes too late!

Ritalin also doesn’t work for him because he was on that as a child and young adult, but we also don’t want him taking that daily either!

Ashley "my boyfriend" does smoke weed on a daily basis. He believes the weed helps him a little and I do see the difference from when he has smoked and when he hasn’t. And NO weed is NOT the problem, he has had these issues even before smoking and if anything the weed I believe does help a little. He is willing to stop smoking if there is something else out there to help with his GABA.

I am a firm believer in natural remedies’. We don’t want him to have to take any anti-depressants because we don’t believe that depression is his problem. But I am to the point to where I will try anything to help him! Is there a natural anti-depressant out there, is there something safer than Xanax? Can anyone help give me some answers? And please don’t tell me about the side effects of Xanax and that my boyfriend is probably A.D.D. This I already know. I am merly asking if there is something like Xanax out there without the side effects so that Ashley can live anormal life without panic, anger and stress!! Thanks for your time and concern!

A good diet with an amino acid and b vitamin supplement, for a start.
Natural supplements, could include melatonin, valerian,chamomile and kava-kava. Kava is effective, but somewhat hard to find, although it is still legal, because has been implicated in liver damage.
Even diphenhydramine (benedryl) might be worth trying.
If he does still need a benzodiazapene, I have found clonazipam (Klonapin) to be more effective and less addicting with fewer side effects than Xanax. It takes a bit longer, perhaps 30 minutes to take effect.