Can anyone offer advise on alternative medicines?

[BeeL]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time using this forum or any forum as a matter of fact, so apologies if I do anything wrong or if I have missed a thread with a similar topic.

I have recently been prescribed medication for my anxiety from my doctor but I really don't like how it makes me feel.

Also when I stop taking it I find I get very depressed for up to a week after.

Can anyone suggest some non prescription options?

I have seen some things in the chemist but am a little skeptical, What have you tried and what has worked for you?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[Sophie_M]

Hi BeeL,

We can't provide recommendations for treatments on the forums, but if you have a look through the two beyondblue resources below, you'll find evaluations for a large number of complementary treatments.  A summary of the evidence for the effectiveness of each is provided:

A guide to what works for anxiety
A guide to what works for depression

[white knight]

Hi BeeL, welcome.

Good question.

When i look back on my panic attacks of 1987 and anxiety the latter that lasted 25 years, for me it wasnt medication that worked really well it was the following

- relaxation techniques especially muscle tensioning exercises

- therapy whereby i was taught how to identify what was and what wasnt realistic thoughts.

- changes in employment and environment. For me that included a move to a regional area.

- spirital peace

You can google the following

Topic: be radical- beyondblue

Topic: meditation, i followed him for 25 years, maharaji- beyondblue

Tony WK

[MsPurple]

Hi BeeL

I understand not wanting to take medication and wanting to try some alternatives. It can be hard dealing with the side effects some medications have. In saying this you should be open with your doctor. Tell him about the side affects (or effects, I'm sorry I'll probably get them mixed up this whole post, dyslexia does that) and how you are handling them. For some people some side affects they can't handle and that's ok. Your doctor should help you find solutions or consider changing you to a medication that is better suited. Also you need to remember the side effects are usually worse at the 1-3 week mark. So some doctors will ask you to stick at it, but again be open and if it is unbearable let them know because they will need to help you with it.

The problem with some alternative medicines is they can interfere with prescription medication. I know saint john wart affects with many medications including anti depressants, anti anxiety, the contraceptive pill etc. I would suggest you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the interference between medications. I know there are some websites that can tell you if medications interfere (some are better than others) but again never take internet advice over professional.

I suggest looking at the posts white knight and sophie suggested as they have great content and can help relate to you. Another alternative to medication is trying yoga, meditation or deep breathing. I use these in conjunction with my medication as I find they help slow down my racing anxious mind. Maybe trying some of these may help. I also use distraction. If I am having a down day I tend to try and do things to occupy my time such as reading a book (I usually go back to a classic harry potter) or watch a movie

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any more questions

[MsPurple]

Sorry I forgot to add that alternative medicines or herbal medicine are not as strictly regulated so you can never know what is exactly in each table (like exact quantities). On john oliver 'last week tonight' they did an episode on supplements (which is regulated in the same body as some alternative medicines) and they found one in three of the products didn't contain an ingredient that was on the label (imagine buying an iron tablet with no iron?). Now I am not saying this is the case with all, because there are some really good supplements out there, but you just need to be aware of this.