Acupuncture
Posted by Phoenix126 (Branchburg, Nj, USA) on 08/31/2012
★★★★★
I have never suffered any depression, panic or anxiety my entire life. I had the normal ups and downs everyone typically has, but nothing ever so severe where it felt life threatening and debilitating. I had a pretty severe panic attack which lead to obsessive worrying and anxiety for the last 5 months. It was directly connected to a liver detox a chiropractor / AK recommended. Whatever the liver detox did to me, unleashed and ravaged my life for the last 5 months. Ongoing anxiety attacks and obsessive worrying. I went to a dr and all they wanted to do is prescrive meds and kept assuring me its normal and most of the population takes them. Umm... No thanks.. I was not like this before this event so something must have happened.
To make a long story short. As for treatments...
- I tried valerium, holy basil, lemon balm, anxiety supplements, vitamin b complex, and all of the sorts.
- I tried hypnosis, chiropractic and other forms of therapy which did not work.
To narrow down what did work.
- The chiropractic helped releive minor anxiety for less than a day.
- Acupuncture was the holy grail to a true feeling of calmness and relieve. Other times after intense work outs I felt like I did not have anxiety, I didn't.. But subconciously I was worried and obsessivly thinking about dying and all sorts of horrible feelings. The difference was after my 3rd visit, I felt a true "release" of all the worries. What did the accupuncture do? I don't know exactly but from my research of the points they put on my body, I am guessing even though my thyroid levels were normal, I could have been out of balance. My other feeling on this, I have noticed a drastic increase in many pepole I know having these exact same issues, not a coincdene considering the radiation fallout from japan has already circled several times. Radiation is bad for the thyroid, thyroid issues will cause panic, anxiety and depression.
So the game plan:
- Read positive books such as Think and Grow Rich, Tony Robbins products.
- Get Acupuncture and Chiropractic treatments
- Take hot epsom salt baths with essential oils for scents to stimulate your brain
- High Intenseity exercise and daily walks
- Socialize even if you are not in the mood, be around positive people that will push you outside of your comfort zone.
- Take at least 2000-3000mg of fish oil/day ACV every third day
- Get your thyroid checked!
- Cry it out if you have to, there are stored emotions you should not hold back. At some point you wont be able to cry anymore, crying is a way for the body to release. Why do you think people cry?
Probiotics
Posted by Alisha (Boston, Ma Usa) on 03/03/2012
★★★★★
I suffered with crippling anxiety for about 9 years (at first it was just feeling sick when I was out in a place I knew I couldn't just leave... Then it turned to agoraphobia). I was put on every anti anxiety med at one point or another throughout those years. I tried yoga, therapy, herbal remedies and a few self help programs. Finally, I went to see a naturopathic doctor for the first time. She realized that, while I didn't feel sick to my stomach all the time, my anxiety was caused by imbalances of the gut. Enter a broad spectrum enzyme at meals and probiotics (I started with 50 BILLION dose and now I take a maintenance dose of 16 Billion). That really helped my particular anxiety.
However, while I was waiting for my gut to heal and these two treasures to do their thing, she also had me taking 200 mg of L-theanine, a component found in green tea in smaller doses. This is the most reassuring little supplement! It takes about 15 minutes to kick in and you just feel more in control. It worked better than any anxiety med I was taking and it has no side effects. I highly recommend it - it's worked for the rest of my family and a few friends. Look it up on the web - there's lots of good third party sites about the effects.
5-HTP
Posted by Sandhya (Maui) on 09/08/2015
Author of Mood Cure Book is Julie Ross I believe. She also wrote another book after that .... The Diet Cure Book.
Antacids
Posted by Kellie (California, US) on 01/08/2015
Tums is just baking soda and aspirin. It may be cheaper and healthier for you to just take baking soda. I started taking baking soda daily to get rid of a cold, and I started to notice my anxiety and panic attacks would go away within ten to twenty minutes of drinking baking soda. So I started looking online for others who have experienced the same thing. Baking soda seems to be very helpful in reducing or eliminating them. Including magnesium and potassium in your regimen helps even more. So it makes total sense to me that a mineral supplement, and "green pills" which are alkalizing just like baking soda, helps a lot.
Antacids
Posted by Beau (New Zealand) on 10/10/2015
One teaspoon mixed with a glass of warm water. Drink it all down. The following burps flavour should betray to you the offending food source..
Cup of Tea
Posted by Jqueen (Atlanta, Ga, 30309) on 06/20/2011
★★★★★
Anxiety disorder is terrible, and it's worse if you are prone to having panic attacks, like me. I recently taken up drinking tea, and it's a pleasing experience. That matched with mild work outs, cool showers, and other things meant to give you piece of mind have REALLY helped. The best kinds of tea I've found are green, white, and especially chamomile. Chamomile is kind of like the "relax" tea. Stay away from teas with high caffeine count as that will make anxiety matters worse. If you can get decaf, good! If not, white, green, and chamomile are probably the best. Stick to organic, and prefferably loose tea. Make sure to drink it with NATURAL spring water. Actually, you should be drinking natural spring water, period! No flouridated water, for your health's sake. Tea has helped me in many ways. I'm sure it'll help you!
Cup of Tea
Posted by Everson11 (Mt) on 01/03/2016
★★★★★
I was having a good sized panic attack about nothing last night (flashing lights in a movie)... That sets me off for whatever reason...
One cup of Chamomile, and I was good for the rest of the night... I think I'll use it every night for the fun of it...
I will get some peppermint as well, thanks for mentioning that
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jojogirl (Glendora, Ca, Usa) on 03/29/2011
★★★★★
A few things that I have learned about dealing with anxiety:
1) find a intergrated medical expert - usually an actual medical doctor that uses holistic medicines whenever possible. I see Dr. Hyla Cass (www.cassmd.com)
2) find a chiropractor that does "muscle testing" or applied kinesiology (especially NRT)
3) have your thryoid, adrenals and candida levels checked.
4) try to get off Rx drugs using www.theroadback.org
Deep Breathing
Posted by Joeyther (Memramcook, Nb, Canada) on 03/06/2011
★★★★★
In researching the causes of anxiety attacks, I believe it beneficial to note that 'breathing' is essential to physical well being. Shallow breathing which leads to insufficient oxygen appears a catalyst to these attacks.
What does that mean? When an anxiety attacks appears, get up and move, fast if you can, run, walk, whatever, just remember to get those lungs filled with air and gently exhale through your mouth. Repeat slowly and deeply enough to accomplish a replenishment of oxygen without hyperventilating. Hold your intake of air for a few seconds and slowly exhale through your mouth, repeat at least 10 times.
L-Theanine
Posted by Jd (Huntsville, Al) on 07/17/2010
★★★★★
L-Theanine works very well against anxiety. It provides a very mild calming effect with few (if any side effects), which is hardly noticeable until you find yourself under stress. In stressful situations, I noticed that my reactions and feelings of anxiety were significantly improved. I take 150 mg of l-theanine per day. I've never needed more.
I also recommend magnesium for anti-anxiety benefits. It can be obtained cheaply through transdermal dosing by bathing with Epsom Salts, or dissolving some Epsom Salts in a spray bottle and spraying it on. Alternatively, you can take magnesium citrate tablets, which are a little more expensive but highly bio-available.
5-HTP
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, British Columbia) on 09/11/2017
I switched from Citalopram 20mg., a common SSRI to 5HTP 50mg. by cutting the Citalopram in half for a few days while simultaneously starting the 5HTP and experienced no transition problems.
Peanut Butter
Posted by Adam (Tucson, Arizona) on 12/19/2009
★★★★★
Add another Yea! to peanut butter --and bananas too! I am currently overcoming my anxiety, very successfully using natural foods, medicines, and remedies. I have to add that, sitting down and eating 2-3 bananas with peanut butter is one of my all-time favorite past-times. It's like ambrosia, so I say go for it!
I only recently began eating bananas again, because I was allergic to them for several years.(?) I missed them, so much, especially with peanut butter. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Feeling calm and being healthy has never tasted so good.
I'd also like to reply to 'Joyce from Joelton, Tn', that the arginine found in peanuts is very very healthy for you. There is no link between herpes and the arginine found in peanuts. That is a fallacy.
There IS a link between consuming LESS arginine in your food intake for people that have herpes and spreading their herpes during an outbreak. This is limited to people with herpes, it does in NO WAY cause herpes. I just wanted to point that out so no one gets scared and quits eating delicious peanuts and peanut butter, because I LOVE it and it's AWESOME! Thanks E.C.!
Apples, Water
Posted by Oldriska (Prague, Czech Republic) on 05/13/2012
★★★★★
I agree that dehydration may trigger anxiety. It definitely was a factor in my first panic attack, also, supposedly many people experience attacks after they had been drinking alcohol.
Drinking herbal/green tea, plenty of water, eliminating alcohol and coffee from my diet has helped me a lot when dealing with anxiety, and so did changing my eating habits. I found that I had been missing on some essential vitamins, so adding those to my diet was a part of the healing process. A lot of people nowadays have low magnesium and/or 'B' vitamins intake (I used to get cravings for peanut butter, apples and celery, now I know why), which may also add to your anxiety.
B Complex
Posted by Laura (Honolulu, HI) on 03/19/2009
★★★★★
I am a chronicly (sp?) anxious person. B complex really helps with it. It gives you energy when you don't want to get out of bed and it makes you able to resolve the things you're so busy worrying about. I take it every day- I did here though, that it's kinda hard on your kidneys. I try to take a few days off a month to give my body a break. Hope this helps!
Acupressure on the Stomach
Posted by Gary (Mesa, AZ) on 05/08/2008
★★★★★
Dear Earth Clinic, I may have some good advice on how to drastically cut or eliminate depression/anxiety. An exercise. I lay over the edge of the couch face down with my lower stomach on the arm. Keeping my legs straight on the couch I lean down with my torso and back up straight. This works the back muscles and takes pressure off the spine and nerves. Also, a simple visit to the chiropractor helped tremendously.Thanks, Gary.
EC: We emailed Gary for more details...
Acupressure on the Stomach
Posted by Kayla (Nashville, Tn) on 04/27/2012
★★★★★
There is a much much much easier way to do this "couch exercise! " Just use a small blanket or towel and bunch it up into a tight ball. It should be about the size of a medium watermelon when it is all bunched up. Put the bunched up towel/blanket on the floor and lay tummy down with your stomach on top of it. It will be uncomfortable at first but shouldn't hurt. Then, wiggle your hips from side to side slowly for 2-5 minutes. You can experiment with having the towel/blanket higher on your stomach or lower. The way it was explained to me this process releases serotonin from your gut while also giving your insides a massage. Some find it helps with digestive issues or even menstrual difficulties in addition to mood/depression/anxiety issues.
5-HTP
Posted by Tara (Ohio) on 10/31/2017
I was able to get off of a combination of Wellbutrin (Anxiety) and Vyvanse (ADHD) almost two years ago. I take a daily 750mg GABA, 100mg 5-HTP and about 200mg of chelated magnesium. Both were "adult onset". In the end I think I was just really, really deficient in magnesium and was going through hormonal changes at the same time. It took me about 6 months to get back to normal.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ayla (Sumter, South Carolina) on 06/25/2011
Just add a pinch of baking soda to lower the acidity.. :) I'm very sensitive to anything going in my tummy, and my Mom told me about the BS.. No problem since. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Reeka (Milan, Italy) on 05/24/2015
I suffer from a very severe anxiety disorder brought on by many catastrophic traumas one after the other in my life. The anxiety is constant, the horrible racing thoughts, the what-ifs, stomach in knots, insomnia, you name it. I am in therapy and medication. If I try the apple cider vinegar remedy I will have to stop the meds immediately right? How many days do I have to wait to see the effects?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 05/26/2015 2048 posts
R: It is advised by many naturopathic Physicians to minimize pharmaceutical mind medications as the side effects can, in themselves, be debilitating.
Here are some natural alternatives for healthy mind. Yoga & Transcendental Meditation. Warm baths of Epsom Salts or Magnesium tablets taken orally. Herbs like Chamomile, Passion Flower, Valerian, Hops are helpful. Audio or healing harmonic music is becoming increasingly popular for helping correct an whole array of both mental and physical conditions. Go to YouTube.com and type in your condition ("anxiety") plus the words "binaural beats" or "isochornic beats" and listen to this music w/ headphones whenever you can and especially before sleep or while relaxing in bed. Most of these artist have their own YT channel and information about purchasing the tracts so you can download them to your mobile devise and listen when you can.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh) on 06/27/2018
Try adding a 1/4 teaspoon of Baking SODA & 1 teaspoon of organic Apple Cider Vinegar (with "the mother") to a 16-ounce glass of filtered water. The Baking Soda may prevent your stomach upset.
Rhodiola
Posted by Moira (Manchester, NH) on 01/15/2009
★★★★★
I know its been a year since asked, but in case anyone else wanted to know if 5HTP and Rhodiola are safe together, the answer is yes (although I am not a health professional - just know from my own research and experience). Your body naturally creates the transmitters that 5htp stimulates - its harmless. In fact, I noticed no difference in my severe anxiety when I took 5 HTP. Rhodiola is an herb that helps regulate serotonin levels and is not affected by 5HTP's process.
Chances are, if you take RR, you'll not need the 5HTP which can have uncomfortable side effects if you decide to quit it. Always remember to taper off any supplement or med to give your body a chance to keep up!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cured (Niceville, Fl) on 01/29/2010
To Debra from Texas: You mentioned it "hurt" your stomach at first. You might probably had a stomach ulcer and didn't know it. ACV is the cure for that too.
My guess about anxiety and why people might not come back and comment on their problem for long term results...it probably really works and we forget what problems we have when they are gone. I have been using ACV and various other remedies from this site for almost 6 months now. I will admit I was a mess before and I forget all the problems I used to have. I did make a list/journal when I first started these home remedies and update often.
Iodine
Posted by Anne-Marie (Palm Coast, FL) on 02/04/2007
★★★★★
While I would not consider myself "cured" of anything, I have found that Iodine..or the lack thereof...causes me to have panic and anxiety attacks. This is a recent (within 3 months) development for me as I have never had panic and anxiety attacks prior. And although I now take Kelp in a Thyroid supplement (for my newly developed Hypothyroidism), my Iodine test (painting a 2x2 in sq on my abdomen) still shows a regular Iodine insufficiency. Interestingly, I also drink protein shakes that contain 30% FDA Iodine each. I drink 2-3 of these each day. Yet, my Iodine is consistently depleted.
Cold Showers
Posted by Mary (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/25/2005
★★★★★
Read this website couple weeks ago and was looking at the comments on anxiety. well i must say it was sooo hard the first time. i still have to physch myself up to it but boy once you try it it almost becomes addictive and yes my anxiety is on the improve. thanks guys. awesome.
Rocking Chair Therapy
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 09/10/2022
★★★★★
I have had a significant flare up of my bursitis, which has led me to a help that I have never considered.
Yesterday was a lovely day and I went out to the porch to swing and crochet in the sunshine for a little bit. I realized my pain was not bothering me as much. Certainly sunshine and something to do with my hands was a pleasant distraction, but then I considered the rocking.
Parents and caregivers naturally rock and sway to sooth babies and little children. Perhaps rocking is soothing for humans of all ages!
I did a little research and found that studies have found that rocking in a rocking chair has many health benefits.
It helps to decrease cravings of addicts in rehab facilities. It improves balance among the elderly in care facilities, it also reduces requests for pain medicines, and reduces agitation. Rocking can release endorphins, which can help with pain.
For the elderly, rocking in a chair improve blood flow and gives a bit of exercise to muscles.
Rocking chair therapy has also been used to improve outcomes after some surgeries.
My take away is that it makes sense to ensure that the elderly have an available rocking chair. And that anyone, no matter the age, may benefit from some rocking chair time to relieve anxiety, pain, and cravings.
Maybe rocking chairs are a way to restore some calm to our society which has become increasingly frenetic.
Happy Rocking,
~Mama to Many~
Chia Oil
Posted by Lauren (Queens ) on 03/09/2022
Hi Irina..can you name the brand of the chia oil you're using. Thanks
Chia Oil
Posted by Irina (New York, NY ) on 05/30/2022
Hi Lauren - I don't know if I'm allowed to name the brand here, but if you type into Google, "organic edible chia seed oil artisan cold pressed" it will come right up!
Vitamin B3
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, Canada) on 10/25/2021
★★★★★
For anxiety what worked for me was Vitamin B3-450mg taken first thing in the morning and just before going to bed. This eliminated anxiety within 24 hr.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Jennifer (UK) on 06/26/2021
I am sorry for your sad loss. Regarding high blood pressure, magnesium is effective, and most people are deficient. Magnesium chloride is very absorbable, I just have a pinch per day, but Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) could also be used. Red beetroots also help lower blood pressure.
Alternatives to Benzos
Posted by Joseph A. (Stockton, Ca ) on 11/11/2021 73 posts
Thanks young lady (charity) sorry for late reply, I am just not sure how the replies work. I don't know if they go to my site or just posted on EC site. It would be nice to communicate directly, with a copy posted on site for all to view. This is old news, however curious how long you took 6 Valiums (60mg) daily? Wow. That's a lot, actually to much in my opinion but couldn't have been taking long or you would have had major Anxiety Attack plus………? Thank you, curious especially since my son took them for 5+ yrs and when I shaved a tiny off of one pill his Anxiety exploded. Today I restarted and after 3 days of reducing 2mg off of 20mg he is doing quite well. Albeit I do add a few natural things.
Alternatives to Benzos
Posted by Emersyn (Virginia) on 09/09/2021
I never found any supplements that helped a lot for benzo withdrawal--it took me 3 years to taper off of Ativan. Possibly fish oil and tiny bit? The thing that helped the most was to do a liquid micro taper--crush the pill, either mix it with water to form a suspension or mix it with a ml of alcohol first to dissolve then mix some water to dilute and just decrease the amounts by micrograms every day. Here's some info on how to and the Benzo Buddies website is also helpful.
http://benzo.alwaysdata.net/titration/titrationHelp.htm?help=Readme+First
Alternatives to Benzos
Posted by Joseph (Stockton, Ca ) on 09/11/2021 73 posts
Sept 11,2021, just read your article, not quite sure I understand but I will view the link. My son is a disabled vet, has PTSD, (severe) among other issues, his VA Dr got him addicted to Valiums for 5 yrs and he takes 30mg daily. He has a new Dr., and in about 5 weeks hopefully she will start tapering him off. I know it is painful and people still suffer even though it is out of his system. Plus it can return and even seizures are possible. I am almost 80 yrs old the Dr says he can be an outpatient, I just have to monitor him. All I have for anxiety now is Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500mg 2X daily, I will also start Taurine. Acetyl-L Carnitine is for the brain, yet it works great, I stoped the L-Theanine 800mg. Anything else you can share will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
5-HTP
Posted by Mary M. (Arcadia, CA) on 04/07/2023
Sorry to say just because you cut the 100mg in half does not make it 50 mg it still is 100mg just less. Hope this helps you.
Holy Basil
Posted by Mel (California) on 05/03/2016
I realized that in my original post. My point should have been that biting into the Holy Basil capsules and letting them sublingually absorb, rather than just swallowing them whole or just drinking the HB tea seems to reduce the stomach upset that many supplements give me and it seems to work better and faster than having the HB capsules digest in my stomach. Plus I think I heard that HB oil is good for dental hygiene so having that oil coating may be doing some good for my teeth and gums I hope.
Buteyko Method
Posted by Bev (Florida) on 03/12/2017
Wow! Most of the stuff I've read says shallow breathing is the cause of all our ills and deep breathing is the cure-all. Lately, however, I have been reading that all that deep breathing might not be the answer after all. The answer, according to many, is belly breathing. Go figure.
Deep Breathing
Posted by Rebel (Somewhere Usa) on 02/27/2015
★★★★★
Hey Robert Henry and Sye. There is a former professional wrestler, who has out a yoga program. The very first thing he covers in this is the way you breath, saying to fill up the diaphragm slowly and exhale slowly. He encourages people to get up to a 20 count. This is slow in and slow out. Starting with just like the count of 2 and then working your way up over time. He says he can go to a count of 60 and that this controls the way you react, adapt, and take action. I can't tell you the name here, but if you Google professional wrestler's This ain't your mamas yoga you will find it. His commercials are on early mornings 3 to 4.30 am eastern time on various stations. Not advertising here, but I made the purchase and breathing is the first thing covered on disc one.
Deep Breathing
Posted by Jp (La, Ca) on 12/04/2017
Interesting: you never mention exercise. exercise defined as 1. cardio, 2. weight bearing, and 3. stretching
bare minimum, 3 times a week. ideally, 4-5,2-3 hours a day. yes, it's WORK. yes, it pays; it's the best health insurance of all.
remember this name:
JACK LALANNE
Magnesium
Posted by Lily (Phoenix, Az) on 01/01/2016
Yes, the chloride form taken orally or transdermally are the best types of magnesium to take because they are best absorbed by the body.
Borage Oil, Magnesium
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 01/09/2014
Dear Claire,
You are welcome. Thanks so much for taking time to share what is helping you! I am so glad you are feeling better. Being able to sleep and relax are so important!
~Mama to Many~
Hemp + Kelp
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 11/25/2013
★★★★★
Hemp Seed Powder and Kelp Powder
I used to get very anxious and depressed, headaches, stomachaches, sore and tired all over, the headaches were like migraines or tension headaches. I can't eat wheat. I read about how protein is used by the brain to manage its levels of nitrogen and ammonia, so thinking the migraine might be from a lack of protein I took 1/4 cup of hemp seed powder, with a teaspoon of kelp powder since I had the kelp powder, mixed in a glass of water. I feel much better. I did that once or twice a day for three days, I wake up less tired in the morning, my good mood lasts all day, I feel more optimistic and youthful, the headaches are almost gone. The dark circles under my eyes are lighter.
Taking potassium and magnesium pills help too. I take more than the label says depending on how I feel. Sometimes 4 to 6 99mg potassium at a time.
Rhodiola
Posted by Mary (Los Angeles, California) on 11/18/2013 51 posts
I just bought "Rhodiola" from Gaia Herbs, it is 249 mg. Can anyone tell me if they have used this brand and if it helped you? I have severe panic attacks where the adrenaline lingers on way after the attack. I do not drive and waking is hard too because I feel like I am walking to the side. As though I am going to fall. Can anyone please help me?
Rhodiola
Posted by Angie (Nc) on 07/23/2014
Do you have any food allergies or thyroid issues... I've had that walking to the side thing too.
Valerian Root, 5-HTP
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 09/04/2013 2048 posts
@Lauren0305: Both sleep and mental issues or the presence of both are many or most times only symptoms of underlying problems which are almost exclusively associated with modern lifestyle. There are many factors happening in these cases, and the key is removing these factors. Clean(er) air, food, water is where to start. A good whole food multivitamin/mineral supplement is essential as well as extra antioxidant nutrition. Oil Pulling and Detox Foot Pads help remove any stubborn toxins.
This is just my general assessment and there could be other factors involved of which you might get answered here on E. C.
Valerian Root, 5-HTP
Posted by Lauren0305 (Houston, Tx) on 09/04/2013
Thank you for the replies. Yes, we cut out all artificial dyes, preservatives, etc many years ago b/c of his ADHD symptoms. His diet isn't as healthy as I'd like b/c he's picky, but I buy about 90% all natural and/or organic foods. I'm trying to cut him back on gluten to see if that affects anything.