Anxiety Disorders Support Group

Hello, I'm new here. I'm not much of a social networker so finding a place like this to chat with other people that may or may not have similiar issues is great. Im interested in meeting like minded people to add to my (small) support team I have a nervous disorder. I suffer from pretty bad anxiety with panic attacks without agoraphobia. Im right on the edge of that agoraphobia thing. Barely leave the house. I am educated in herbalism but have totally fallen off my natural living path. My nervousness wasnt any better when i was on the path but at least i felt like i was doing what i am supposed to do I have 3 boys, 3 dogs, lots of fishies and a husband. At this point my life feels so chaotic that i'm just trying to make it to the next day without freaking out. I live a fabulous life with barely anything of importance to complain or worry about yet im constantly freaked out. Im not taking my medicine for the anxiety or my hypothyroidism and I feel shitty most of the time. Cant relax even when my kids are away and I'm supposed to be having a night off from my motherly duties... lol My oh my...I feel completely crazy and alone most days. I dont need a pity party. Just want to know that im not the only person that feels this way out there Hit me up if you need companionship or if your interested in the holistic lifestyle.

Hi herblovnmom, welcome! You are not alone. I also have PD and GAD w/o agoraphobia. I am on Rx meds but they don't help much anymore since I have been on meds for almost 30 years. I know anxiety disorders are crazy especially when you have a great life like you said. You should feel wonderful but you don't and can't figure out how to make yourself feel better. It really makes no sense sometimes. I can have a good day and then feel like pure hell the next day for absolutely no reason that I can specifically pinpoint. I also have that feeling of never being able to relax no matter how hard i try. It is an awful feeling. You can't sit and watch a movie or read a book without feeling this painful emotion. What kinds of herbs were you taking in trying to help with this mental health disorder?

Well, I've tried many things. Some times the natural remedies help and lately they just arent strong enough... Kava Kava for tension and general relaxation. St. Johns Wort for mood balance but that made me feel really depressed and crazier than ever..lol Its one of those plants that effect everyone differently and the sunny plant just doesnt fit me... Lemon Balm tea for anxiety, tastes good just a bit too mild for my needs. Motherwort does help with the heart palpitations. But it doesnt take away the worry in the mind. I've recently started taking Magnesium for my migraines associated with stress and my thyroid. We'll see if that helps any I also use a homeopathic remedy Sepia 30c, that is used for mood swings. Very helpful around my moon Sheesh, I've tried lots of otc remedies/drinks for relaxation. They are questionable... :/ Some good, some not... I try to take a B complex in the mornings with some ginseng for the adrenals but I'm forgetful... I did feel alot better with the allopathic med's but its expensive to go to the doctor every 3 months for refills so I go when i can and have hard core withdrawals. I love Xanax. Thats my best friend during a panic. And my body doesnt feel as sick when i take my levothyroxine so i will be back on my pills soon I hope... lol

Have you had any success with natural remedies? Thanks for welcoming me... Its great to know your not alone

Take care and we'll chat soon. Thanks again

Wow, you seem to know quite a bit about herbal medicine. I have tried a few of the things you mentioned but like you said, the anti-anxiety effects seem too mild. I have never done the lemon balm tea. Isn't it expensive? I know what you mean about allopathic medicine and the hardcore withdrawals when some of these Rx meds start not to work so well after you have taken them for many years. LOL

I laughed about what you said about xanax being your best friend. The benzos do work fantastic for anxiety but they will turn on you sometimes and start not to work. I have a love/hate relationship with these type meds...hahahah I thought L-theanine was having a positive impact on my anxiety herblovnmom but I think it was more of a placebo type thing. I took it for over a year, then stopped it just to see, and I felt absolutely no different. If it was helping me, the effect was very subtle. Moderate exercise and meditation do help but even that does not seem to be enough to make me as comfortable as I would really like to feel.

Do you have really good days sometimes but then they don't ever seem to last and you fall back into feeling crummy?

Hi Herb,

I was reading about yourself, and you said you had hypothyroid. I do as well, and when my attacks started coming back frequently,that was the first thing the drs checked. If left unreated the thyroid problem can cause major anxiety and depression. I just thought I would mention this because I had no idea how many problems th thyroid can cause. Its a simple blood test, but you may want to look into it. Good luck

Is it the "hyper" MichMom77 that makes you feel more anxious or can the "hypo" do it also?

honey i really dont know. i just remember the doctors stating that if your thyroid was out of whack that it could cause severe anxiety and depression. sorry i couldnt help

Hi I'm Philphil,

I am a GL in panic group. But find myself looking for advice information on anxiety and panic. Hoping to learn more and obtain new tools.

Recently, I had a nasty panic attack after being panic free for 1 1/2 yrs. I am under a lot of changes and stress. Have temporary custody of my 3 yr old Granddaughter since December 2011, lots of Dr appointments, court appoints, husband lost job, stress at work. Just a lot more than I'm use to. I feel like the weight of the world are on my shoulders. I keep pushing forward but feeling the affects of all the changes and stress and so much uncertainty. I do not have alone time like I did in the past, and finding myself feeling a lot of resentment.

Post edited by: PhilPhil46, at: 07/07/2012 06:48 AM

Welcome Phil.

I can relate a lot to your situation.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Thank you damsel,

I am trying.