what is the best remedy for anxiety? Herbs, prayer,meditation, etc, etc.?
141182
I like Xanax, or alprazolam, it makes all the bad things go away.
654292
I believe that to treat/ get over panic attacks, a holistic approach is best (Looking at the whole system rather than just concentrating on individual components).\n\nSome of the various approaches to helping sufferers of panic attacks include (but are not limited to):\n-counselling\n-support groups\n-stress management courses\n-medication (acute- valium, or chronic- antianxiety meds)\n-relaxation techniques courses\n-non-aerobic 'centering' exercise (yoga, stretching, pilates, tai chi)\n-massage\n-dietary counselling\n\nThe counselling is one of the most important ways to help panic attack sufferers. It can be very helpful in identifying the root cause of the attacks, in learning about relaxation/stress management techniques, in learning about the various pharmacological treatments available, and helping arrange the best treatment for YOU.\n\nI haven't really addressed specific ways to help yourself while you are IN a panic attack. However, I believe that what I have answered here is very helpful in reducing or eliminating your panic attacks.\n\nI hope that I have been helpful!\n:)
161789
I'd say exercise and meditation/prayer along with other lifestyle changes.  You need to address the underlying problem--herbs are just a quick-fix.
886867
I suffered from anxiety (or panic) attacks for almost 20 years.\nI have been free of them for over 4 years now.\nI wish I could give you specific advice.  It took me a long time, medication, and many doctors to rid myself of anxiety attacks.\nI no longer require any medication.\n\nAnxiety disorder is the number one mental disorder in the United States, surpassing even depression.  It is the curse of the Starbucks generation.  Caffiene is a major trigger for starting an anxiety attack.  Stay off of caffiene or at least cut down.\n\nOver the years, doctors tried different medications for me.  The tradtional anit-depressants did not work in my case.  I tried Tranzene, Zoloft, Xanax, and many more.  In my particular case, Paxil was the only medication that really helped.  I stayed on Paxil for about one year before the attacks left.\n\nProper meditation works wonders.  The words "medicine" and "meditate" come from the same root word.  However, please do not assume that you can meditate after an anxiety attack.   You should meditate for at least 15 minutes each day.  True meditation is being "thoughtless", that is, you have no thoughts at all.  It takes practice to still the constant "inner dialogue" that constanly runs through our brains.  We train our minds to think and process information all our lives. Training your mind to "stop thinking" takes dilligence and patience.  It is VERY WELL WORTH IT.\n\nThere are many nuts, religious people, and deceived people out there who offer varied and incorrect teachings on meditation.  Meditation is simple.  It is not complex.  You cannot expect to see visions, dreams, or colors as many people claim.  You will mostly see the insides of your own eyelids...  that's all.  There is a wise and wonderful woman who taught me a lot about mediation.  I credit her with helping me to free myself of anxiety attacks.   She is a beautiful soul with insight into life and living.  She is full of unconditional love for all people.  She has answers.   She has power.  However, she is not a religious nut.  You can contact her here...  http://TaoBarbie.com .  \n\nTake some time to learn what your triggers are.  Learn what causes anxiety attacks for you.  What happens just before an attack?  Work on fixing those problems.  Learn to slow your breathing.  Hyperventilation is almost always associated with attacks.   \nStay away from caffiene from coffee, Colas or other soft drinks (Mountain Dew has more caffiene than coffee), energy drinks, chocolate, or tea.  All contain caffiene.  \n\nOnly someone who has had attacks can truly understand your pain and concern.  I wish you well.  After beating anxiety myself, I believe it is possible for anyone to be free of them.\nGod Bless you and yours\n\n.
887793
Yup. Bad anxiety can give you lot of similar symptoms. \n\nThe best thing is to be active physically. Walking, jogging, working out and eating a healthy diet and of course making sure you have yearly physicals that include EKG and cardiac stree test.\n\nThat will ease your mind about your heart AND it wil help relieve anxiety and stress.
952171
You can go to the doctor and explain it to him or her. They will prescribe medicine for it. A friend of mine takes some anxiety meds and it makes her feel more at ease.
774006
I just wanted to say that meditation is not something that has helped me personally, I know many of these posters recommend it though. For me, I cannot get my mind to "quiet" enough to meditate, unless I take some of my tranquilizers (I have OCD and GAD along with depression). This is not the "best" solution, but as I'm sure you've experienced, sometimes these negative thoughts and the stress from them are debilitating. \nWhat helps me most (medication aside) is doing something else. I most often have to force myself to do it and it is hard, but throughout whatever the distracting activity is it will get easier. When I'm lucky enough to have the oppurtunity I call a funny friend. Making me laugh always distracts me. Good luck.
159369
Instead of medicine, try some simple natural ways.\n\n1. Go in front of mirror, and start dancing. Anyway you feel. You will start laughing loudly. You anxiety will run away.\n\n2. When ever you fell an anxiety attack, instead of avoiding it, learn to stay with it.\n\n\n3. If its beyond control, try some Yogic exercise,  Ayurvedic medicine, or flower remedy.
482468
I've had SAD for about 5 years. I take Effexor XR for it, but it doesn't really help me. I've tried Paxil CR and it didn't help either, so I'm glad your anxiety medicine works. When I am having an anxiety attack, I lock myself in the bathroom, sit on the toilet, put my head between my knees, and breathe. I just keep trying to do the breathing from yoga until my breathing slows down and becomes regular. I don't know what makes me better-being alone, sitting, head forward, or yoga breathing, but it helps me. Sometimes I can't be in a confined space though, so I go outside, to try and calm my breathing, by looking at the trees, listening to sounds, stuff like that. I mostly have problems when I'm really upset or when I am somewhere where there is a lot of people. When I feel anxiety coming on, I try to breathe slowly, remind myself that everything is fine, no one is looking at me or judging me or talking about me, and I clench and release my fist. Or I just leave the store. This helps me, hope it helps you, and answers your question.
410108
Try going to a herbalist. My son suffered from panic attacks and was given some drops to place on your tongue. It worked, but I am sorry, I can't remember the name, but someone else I know took it before their driving test and it calmed them down. Consult the herbalist is allI can advise. Good Luck!
203394
Pray.\nTake something for anxiety.\nBring a headset and listen to calming music.
670564
Counseling, adequate sleep, plenty of exercise, healthy diet, and prayer can help. Good luck!
774069
Christine, first you must know what is the root cause of your anxiety/panic attacks.   I agree with you that drugs will only mask the root cause and will not resolve the root cause that is still inside of you.    \n\nThere is what is know as "anticipatory", reaction to anxiety.   When you feel an anxiety attack coming on you must do everything in your power to not allow the cause of the anxiety to take over your entire body.  If this happens then you will have a full blown panic attack.   \n\nWhen you feel anxious or a panic attack coming on, your very first action is to try and think of someting beautlful, or do Yoga breathing exercise.. (Just breath through your nose, taking in as much air as you can hold).  Don't allow the the stomach muscles to force the air out.  You want to control the air by letting it out as slow as possible through your mouth.   \n\nPractice this Yoga breathing exercise at home, so that you will get in the habit of doing it right.  (Usualy two or three max., taking in all the air you can through your nose & letting it out very slow through your mouth will make you feel very relaxed.  \n\nI do it myself.  An it works 100%.    \n\nA phobia of any kind, requires behavior modification, reality therapy or hypnosis.  (If say you have been through therapy an it is obvious it did not work for you).   \n\nYou must be conditioning your mind, with your social phobia, becasue you say that is getting better.  (This means that you must be exposing yourself little by little with being around people.\n\nNow you will have to try and find out why your panic attacks are increasing.  As soon as you feel a panic attack coming on look around yourself, or think of what it is that is own your mind at that monent..  (Perhaps what is around you or what is on your mind at that given moment may be the cause of the panic attack).  \n\nThen if you find the cause, you will need to find an alternative solution to resolve the problem.  This is what I do for my patients.   I find out the root cause an I never tell them what they must do.  I provide them with many alternative solutions and they must pick which one is best for them.  If they ask me about the choice, I can tell them what is the light at the end of the tunnel.\n\nWish you all the best, as panic attacks are no fun.  Plus I am proud of you that you will not let any psychiatrist put you on a controlled substance like Aprazolam, Tafil or Xanax. (All the same drug).  Names depends on what country you reside in.\n\nClinical Psychiatrist, France\n\nExcuse my english
21942
i personally have panic disorder. i've been told...get help from a mental health professional first and possibly medication. i've tried the medication, but i'm not one for pills. and honestly, talking to someone...doesn't make it go away! i've had to teach myself relaxation techniques. first and foremost, i repeat to myself over and over, "i'm okay, i'm fine, i'm not hurt, and this too shall pass". but it has affected me in everyday life, even when i'm not having an attack. truly it is all about your mind set. changing your way of thinking, and that can be the hardest part. i haven't found a concrete solution, i just take it day by day.
780580
Talk to your doctor about your anxiety.  There are several medications on the market that can control the symptoms and allow you to have a normal life.  Your doctor may even have a suggestion for a therapist you can work with to learn to modify your reactions to the anxiety.  If your doctor doesn't have a suggestion ... open the phone and start calling therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists until you find one that works with anxiety-related problems.\n\nSome of the things you can try on your own are:\n\n#1 -- Start journaling, if you don't already.  Carry a notebook with you and jot down all of your random thoughts and fears in the notebook, especially when you start to get the anxious feelings.  Abuse the heck out of the notebook instead of yourself.  Then once a day or once a week (or even never), whenever you are in a safe place that you don't have anxiety symptoms -- read back through what you've written to see if you can find the source of your anxiety.  Work on that source.\n\n#2 -- Turn off the voice in your head.  I know that sounds silly, but that's exactly what I had to do when my anxiety was/is out-of-control.  I literally lock myself in my car or a bathroom stall or my bedroom and I tell the voice:  "Shut-up!  You are lying.  I am _____ (a positive angle for whatever your particular anxiety is)."  Repeat your new-found mantra as often as you want to turn off the voice in your head.  That voice is still there and it still talks to me, but I don't have to listen to its lies.  :)\n\nGood luck!
422880
I'd suggest that you try and find the root cause of your anxiety: is it caused by one or several problems? Some people are more anxious than others and part of treating the symptoms is accepting that the condition is part of you so that you can start addressing the causes. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga or aromatherapy. If you have access, cognitive behaviour therapy is one of the best methods as it helps you identify what makes you anxious and helps you find ways of dealing with it. I have tried all these myself, and they have made me feel a happier person. Good luck!
984905
My doctor has me on Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Adderall. A lot of drugs, I know. I even have Xanax in case I really lose it. I don't think that medicine is the only answer. Consider speaking with a psychologist, who can help you get down to the root of your anxiety. I know that exercise and a better diet would improve my attitude, if I were ever to get motivated.  Also getting in touch with your spiritual side, such as going to a worship service or meditating, can help alleviate the stress that causes anxiety. I hope to someday chose the path outside of medicine. I wish you luck with dealing with this struggle, and also Happy Holidays!