Hello everyone! :)

[Sunshine13]

Hi everyone! 🙂

I have just discovered that this forum exists and am very glad to be here.

Like many here I have experienced anxiety and depression since I was a little girl. I have been going through a healing process from childhood sexual abuse and have made significant progress. Yay! 🙂

However, the one lingering difficulty is severe anxiety. Sigh. It is affecting my life at work and in social situations...and I would really like to learn what others have done to overcome it! I have recently weaned myself off anti-d's which were a temporary godsend....and am taking herbal meds to try to help with the anxiety. Yeah I know...the herbal remedies are not as potent as the meds...but hey...you try what you can, right? The depression has not returned which is amazing!! But the anxiety....

I look forward to chatting with others here on this forum...and hopefully one day..when further healed....be able to help others! 🙂

Take care all!

Sunshine

[blondguy]

Hi Sunshine13

Welcome to the BB forums and thankyou for posting too!

What a bright and heartfelt post. I have had severe anxiety for many years and understand what you are going through. Anxiety can be a pain. I was first diagnosed with severe anxiety in 1983 when I was 23.

I am really glad that you have had the courage to post and share what you are going through Sunshine. If I may ask you, how are the herbal remedies going for you?

I am like you...I dont really like meds but after 15 years of anxiety I had no other alternative.....but thats just me.

You really have a great attitude....I hope you can stick around:-) You are more than welcome to post back as many times as you wish!

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[Sunshine13]

Hey Paul!

Thank you very much for such a nice welcome! 🙂

I am sorry you have been experiencing anxiety too Paul! It isn't nice is it?

Herbal remedies...hmm.....well....they certainly do not come with the plethora of side affects of meds. But...no...they do not provide the same strength as meds. To be fair...I have not experienced the return of depression which has been pretty rampant since childhood. So that is a plus! 🙂

So understand you taking the meds Paul! I have not ruled out totally not going back on meds (just for anxiety?) if nothing else works. But atm am taking St John's Wort....and like I said....seems to be working for just depression. Also taking another herbal remedy which is called 'Anxiety Aid' containing passionflower and somethingorother. 🙂

It would just be nice Paul....if we could go a day without the constant anxiety! I am not sure....but is it something that you can overcome completely or something you just learn to live with? Maybe just like healing from CSA (abuse)...you just learn to manage the triggers etc? Not sure.

Anyhow...improvement is certainly better than constant anxiety!!

Take care

Sunshine 🙂

[blondguy]

Hi Sunshine

Constant anxiety is a pain...and yes it was for me too every day. Does the 'Anxiety Aid' work at all?

My anxiety became that severe I had to go on AD's for it...The anxiety disappeared..even on a low dosage..(1997) The meds to me provided a platform on which I could apply the coping mechanisms and have greater success with implementing them.

Anxiety does decrease over time..I tried 13 years without meds and the anxiety became worse. It needs constant management by a therapist or even a good GP...I dont get the daily anxiety anymore which is great but 'fighting' anxiety for 13 years without meds was silly and also cost me two relationships.

Anxiety is really our system being 'over sensitized'. It can be desensitized but needs a fortnightly appointment with a therapist to help us do this.

Thankyou for posting back Sunshine:-)

Be gentle to yourself

Paul