What is the best treatment, natural remedy or therapy for GAD/anxiety & panic disorder? HELP

[jcs1987]

I have suffered from GAD and panic disorder on an off for about 6 years now. I recently in the last 3 years have been really good! Even adventurous some might say, which for me is miraculous. It just sort of eased up and i was able to test myself and succeed. With things like: going overseas, going on hikes, learned to drive, got license, lost weight, went to concerts and other things i wouldn't normally do. All of t his was great until recently i have begun hiding again, doubting my self, creating issues from situations in which didn't bother me before and worst of all now having panic attacks while driving which is really saddening and disappointing. And i hate myself for it. Like all of you, i do not want this in my life and i want to be normal (im angry at myself). I do NOT want to take meds, i have been through cognitive therapy and i try and meditate once a day to help, I stopped drinking caffeine and stopped smoking cigarettes, I eat better, I use the rescue remedy drops like water and i do generally have a positive outlook on life. So i don't know what else to do. Can you please give me your BEST fixers for anxiety/panic attacks before i stop driving all together and lose my wings forever? Do you have any natural remedies, ideas or what has helped you take control. Perhaps experience in hypnotherapy? Thank you. 🙂

[blondguy]

Hi JCS1987

Welcome and good on you for posting too!

You have done well by being as pro-active with you health as you have been.

I feel your pain on this subject a great deal as I had acute anxiety from 1983 to 1996. I tried to self heal as well but after 13 years I started low dose meds combined with weekly therapy and I felt brand new. I was also anti-meds like yourself but in the end I also learned this disorder is also chemically based which makes it partially physiological as well.

The driving was a huge pain. I was so apprehensive (and scared of meds) that my GP gave me a script and told me to carry a couple in my wallet (as a PLAN B) whilst driving so I knew that I would always have a 'way out'. In 6 years I took one anti-anxiety med in a full blown attack.

Knowing the meds were there helped a lot even though they weren't used. Just another coping mechanism 🙂

I will keep an eye out on your thread as I havent met anyone that has had success with long term natural fixes.

Its only opinion JCS but GAD is like diabetes or a physical illness (depending on the severity of course). After wasting 13 years med free I really had no alternative.

The GAD is not only mentally exhausting but places a huge drain on you physically including lowering our immune system as well. My career performance and my personal life were also enhanced with a low dosage of an AD......the driving also became enjoyable not terrifying 🙂

I must say that you have done exceptionally well to date using your current techniques and well done to you!

The good news is the severity of anxiety does decrease over time with regular therapy too

what an inspirational post JCS

there are many kind people on the forums with GAD that can be here for you too 🙂

I hope you can stick around

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[blondguy]

Apologies for the double post JCS

Please dont be angry or hate yourself because of these awful symptoms

you are incredibly strong to have done so well until now. You will bounce back!

If you had a physical illness that was serious you wouldnt be angry at yourself.....Anxiety is no different..

please be gentle to yourself 🙂

Paul

[jcs1987]

Thank you Paul, i really appreciate your reply. You made me smile!

[blondguy]

Hey JCS

no worries at all....and thanks heaps for the kind compliment 🙂

The driving and anticipatory anxiety that goes with it can be distressing for sure. If you have any more questions you are more than welcome to ask

The driving has improved vastly for myself compared to when I had years of it. There are still some areas in traffic that I have some issues with but no where as chronic and awful as it was 🙂

To know that I have made you smile has made my day!

Welcome to the Beyond Blue family JCS

my kindest thoughts for you

Paul

[SChris]

Hi,

i was the same and became 100% for ten years and recently have been struggling again. I have finally given in as I have children now, and taking a very mild medication it takes the edge off. I'm still definitely not recovered it it does help

[blondguy]

Hi SChris (excuse me JCS1987 for hi jacking your thread for a moment)

Welcome to the forums and good on you for having the courage to post too!

You are spot on with having a mild dosage to take the edge off. You and I have a lot in common as the roller coaster ride of anxiety can come back. It also will lessen in severity too 🙂

You have a lot of experience to offer Chris...You are more than welcome to start up a new thread under anxiety or depression and we can have a chat there. I really hope you can (if you wish to of course)

my kindest thoughts

Paul

[Tunafish01]

I too suffer from GAD and have recently found that after joining a gym with running and lifting some weights has helped a lot with reducing my anxiety. I've also recently adopted a kitten which keeps me busy and my mind off of worrying about my anxiety. These forums have also been a big help reading that I'm not alone in this fight with anxiety. I was on a low dose meds and I am now slowly comin off them as I want to deal with it myself with out meds and their bad side effects. Keep strong and live each day in the moment and don't worry about the future. Cheers

[jcs1987]

Thanks for sharing, i guess i could step up the workouts a bit more definitely, thanks.

I am heading to a naturopath very soon to seek some help before there before i seek help with medication still. I really don't want to become Dependant on them. What are some of the side effects if you wouldn't mind me asking?

[blondguy]

Hi JCS

Tunafish01 has made some good points above for sure for their own level of anxiety which could be minimal.

I am still anti-meds too even though I take them its a necessary logical step for my own medium level GAD.

The side effects can vary (just like a pain killer for a toothache) but dependency is rare. The side effects vary from person to person. Chronic driving anxiety can be helped with ongoing therapy in its early stages

I tried homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, St Johns Wort and specific Vitamin B therapy too. I just seemed to get worse after 13 years of self healing and being very physically fit/eating well

There is one solution that may work....without meds...Its worth a try....

Fortnightly or even better weekly therapy with a really good therapist. If you get uncomfortable and start to cry your eyes out then you are on the road to some peace of mind...

Its a pain but with patience, time and determination and super regular therapy there is hope JCS

Great to see you on the forums

my kind thoughts

Paul