Posted: 10/28/06 - 23:00 Post subject: Can one beat anxiety without drugs?
Hi. I`m 26 yo F and I suffer from anxiety. I can`t stand it any longer, to be troubled with all life problems all day long. Don`t know what to do, really. I`ve heard about some meds to treat anxiety, but I would like to know Can one beat anxiety without drugs?
Hi. I have the same problem. Welcome to the anxiety club. You may treat anxiety through conversation with you closest ones. I always talk about my problems with my best friend. It`s really helpful. Hot bath and candles are perfect for relaxation. Meditation is also recommended. Sometimes I watch movies and find myself not thinking or worrying about anything at all. TV rules when you have anxiety problem.
Posted: 01/26/07 - 08:16 Post subject: re Can one beat anxiety without drugs?
About 15 years ago I went to my doctor and asked him if he could prescribe me with a mild sedative to help me over come feelings of anxiety. He prescribed the drug Seroxat which I now know is prescribe for people suffering depression. The drug I think was quite new about 15 years ago and I certainly found it more therapeutic than any drug I had been prescribed before. I have used it on and off since then. Apparently it combats a deficiency of a natural feel-good chemical in the brain (Serotonin). Today I think of when my life and social set-up was different and I didn't need a drug like Seroxat. I would guess that if one's social/life situation was working properly then the feel-good chemical would be produced naturally in sufficient quantities without having to rely on a man-made drug to induce it. So probably a social support system-friends, clubs, laughter, fun-are all better ways of dealing with anxiety before resorting to prescriptive drugs.
If you are willing to put some time in on yourself you may want to give CBT a try. Cbt teaches you exercises that help you learn to think more objectively. It has changed my life dramatically and I highly recommend cbt for panic, anxiety and depression. If you can't afford a cbt group pick up a copy of been there, done that? Do this! By sam obitz (*****) and start doing the tea form exercise in it. This is one of the two books we used in my group. I was in and out of therapy before finding cbt and helping myself. I have been off meds and feeling better all the time since I finished my group and still do the exercises daily and continue to see improvement.Take care and know you can get better if you learn to think more objectively about your symptoms through the cbt exercises. The more you work on the exercises the more relief you get, Good luck!
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