Can anybody recommend non prescription treatments for Anxiety / Depression?

[Mark h]

Good afternoon everyone.

I am hoping you can help with any advice or experiences for myself.

I have been diagnosed with a long term anxiety disorder (so GAD) which of course borders into depression also being that they tend to run side by side with each other. I have been taking medication for many years now and at night to help with sleep.

Recently my wife and I have separated which has caused a flare up with anxiety / depression. It's been extremely stressful and it looks like this will continue for a while yet. Ii am told it may take up to 2 years to get myself back on my feet and so far it's only been 4 months.

I would love to hear from anyone who can recommend any herbal treatments or supplements that have helped in relieving anxiety / depression symptoms. I have of course looked online and read through different sites and it looks like the main ones include Rhodiola, Vitamin D, Omega 3, GABA and Kava. I have also heard that whilst it can be costly, CBD oil is also a good option to look into?

Whatever help and advice you can provide would be great. I don't particularly want to increase my meds as such because of the side effects so if herbal supplements or other remedies can help I would rather pursue these options.

Thanks again for all of your continued support and help.

Mark

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Mark h,

I am sorry that you have been going through such a very hard time for a while now...

While herbal supplements can be good for us...

I would like to urge you to please check with your Dr and professionals..before you travel down that road...as some herbal supplements can interfere with or could cause a bad reaction mixing them with any prescription medication...

I am sorry to hear that you and your wife has separated...and I wish you all the best wishes I have...

My kindest thoughts Dear Mark...with my care.

Grandy..

[smallwolf]

hi Mark.

I would tend to to agree with Grandy about checking with GP. Also, sorry to read what you have been going through with the separation and the effect it is having on your well being. It sounds like a really challenging time for you. I hope you don't mind me asking... with your anxiety and depression what sort of the coping strategies do you have? Do you have support from friends or family as well?

[blondguy]

Hi Mark h

I understand the pain you are experiencing especially with your recent separation. This can be difficult to cope with for sure. I used to have chronic anxiety followed by Gad and still on a low dose of meds to take 'the edge off'

I have been looking for a non prescription based treatment for a long time yet the best I have found is super regular appointments with my GP to 'ground' myself. I did recently buy a inflatable spa (1000 liters) and it has brought me huge relief. Yet if our anxiety symptoms begin to have a negative impact on our ability to function on a daily basis we really need to see a counselor as often as we can...Its hard work

what do you think?

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Mark, I am also sorry about your separation and understand what it can cause and to consider herbal 'medication' may or may not have any effect, this depends on whether you believe it will help solve the problems you're having, however, I've tried many different types that are meant to help with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and shingles and don't believe any have been of any help what's so ever, some people may have had success, but I haven't taken any of these for a long time.

Most of these are very expensive and by all means, try some other types to help you with your GAD but if you are able to go to a swimming pool, I know this can reduce your symptoms if you go regularly.

If you can please let us know.

Geoff.

[therising]

Hi Mark

My heart goes out to you as you face incredible challenges in the way forward. So glad to hear you are looking at the way forward, even if that means looking outside the square.

A fully qualified highly reputable naturopath could be the way to go. They focus on the body's nature and chemistry. They'd also take into account the chemistry you're currently taking, in the form of medication. Having an open minded mental health professional is a bonus, someone who's happy to interact with a naturopath in the search of finding what works best for you. A good naturopath may offer you further natural resources/management strategies for managing flare ups of anxiety.

By the way, an interesting book perhaps worth taking a look at, is 'Becoming Supernatural' by Dr Joe Dispenza. It's a new take on body/mind/spirit. He writes of epigenetics/neuroplasticity/quantum physics. May sound like a mouthful but it's actually a fairly easy read. It's the kind of book that can leave you thinking 'I had no idea I actually worked like that!' Knowing how we work can become a game changer.

I wish you well on your path forward to finding the difference you need 🙂

[Mark h]

Hi therising

Many thanks for your reply to me, it truly means the world to know that people out there care.

I think a naturopath could be a good idea for sure and I will look into this today to see if I can find someone reputable.

I will also make sure to grab that book too. I feel very alone right now and so it's probably a good time to to sit and read while I try to heal the best I can.

Once again, I really thank you for your amazing words which help at this difficult time.

Best

Mark

[Mark h]

Thanks Paul

I am getting counselling weekly which certainly helps. I have tried to get out more and meet new people too but it's taking so much effort to even do the small things I used to be so good at in the past.

I am functioning everyday but only to 50% at the moment. I can't still as I then procrastinate and I am sure time will heal for sure.

Many thanks for your advice and kind words. This is so hard right now yes and I wish there was some way out but there isn't.

Best

Mark

[Mark h]

Hi smallwolf

Thanks for the message.

I will certainly check with the GP and agree with you that maybe herbal supplements can be a waste of time and money too of course.

I am seeing a counsellor weekly and she is great. Unfortunately I have only one friend who I can talk to about this as all of the friends I did have in the past were linked to my ex wife. She has reached out to all of these and so I feel it's a bit of a conflict of interest if I were to reach out also. Most are 'female' friends too so not many male people as such. My family are all based in the UK and so I have nobody over here apart from my counseller, one close male friend and doctor of course.

It's very tricky, very sad and very confusing but I really thank you for reaching out and replying. I am going to post on this forum too to get some advice and connection with people outside of my circle as I think this is important.

Once again, thank you so much.

Best

Mark

[Mark h]

Thanks Grandy

I truly appreciate your kind words.

I am going to get in touch with my GP for sure and see what he recommends here. I was thinking that it was going to be a waste of time to be honest but it was worth asking incase others had positive experiences with anything.

This truly is a sad time for me. It's hard to function correctly or even get through each day at times. Just when I think I am making progress, I then have a bad day which sends me back to the beginning. This lady was my life and so it's just insanely hard to not stop thinking about the past.

Many thanks again for your kind words and take care

Mark