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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic

Non prescription anti-anxiety drugs?

St. John's Wart has been reported to do quite a nice job with depression and anxiety, exhibit effects similar to rx anti-depressants. Valerian Root is very good IME with anxiety and sleep trouble. It is GABAergic, and really shouldn't be underestimated. Magnesium helps with some in a calming. I believe Kava Kava has some anxiolytic properties, but can be stimulating, too, and has varied effect. Other serotonergic supplements like pre-cursors are reported to help some.
 
I think the best drug for anxiety, is fresh food and eating healthy. Simple as that. Also, plenty of exercise. Don't be so quick to resort to substances.

I also have to take issue with this kind of generalised statement and not for the first time this evening, yet again we have people not thinking very carefully about what they post regarding this MEDICAL condition and how it may make thee OP feel.

I absolutely agree that for everybody including those with mental health issues a healthy diet and a moderate bit of exercise can do wonders for your over all health. I'm well aware that exercise release chemicals into the brain which may well help with anxiety and depression and make you feel better in general, mental health issue or not.

However for many people their condition may be to acute to be able to effectively make those changes and those changes alone are very unlikely to resolve the underlying problems that led to the mental health issue in the first place, the issue may be much more complex, at this stage the OP seems to be self diagnosing anxiety as well as wanting to self medicate. I'm not saying that's wrong but they are the facts we are working with.

This is just another example of blaming the patient for their condition, in this case what is being said is that "you eat a shitty diet and don't take enough exercise" so it's your fault you have anxiety.....Ronald McDonald always seems pretty chirpy to me.

For all we know know the OP east a fantastic diet and runs a marathon every month.

I'm going to stop now as my blood is likely to approach boiling point:!
 
it's not OTC, but any doctor will prescribe it as it is not addictive or dangerous in any way... hydroxyzine (Atarax) wworks for mild anxxiety dissorders
 
atm, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who eats healthy and runs a marathon every month who haa sever anxiety or depression... that doesn't mean those behaviors will cure the condition though. People constantly confuse correlation with causation... people who are anxious and depressed are less likely to be concerned with their diet and exercise if they're consumed with feelings of dread or hopelessness!

It would certainly be beneficial for anyone to try to put more emphasis on taking care of themselves but this alone is unlikely to 'cure' someone who meets the clinical criteria for any mental health condition.

With that said, I also think many (especially around here) over-rely on substances to treat many conditions, especial mental health problems. Most anxiolytics quickly become counterproductive when used regularly and are more appropriate in the short-term while the cause of the malady is explored with qualified professionals and healthy, sustainable means of addressing the problem and finding lasting resolution (or at minimum, avenues for amelioration) are sought out.
 
^^^

I understand what you are saying, however I still challenge the statement "I think the best drug for anxiety, is fresh food and eating healthy. Simple as that. Also, plenty of exercise. Don't be so quick to resort to substances."

I admit to using an extreme to try and make the point, apathy and a lack of interest in exercise or socialising are both symptoms of anxiety and depression, I do not believe it is the other way around.

I did make it clear that it is important, as it is for all, depressed or not eat a healthy diet and ensure they use moderate exercise although this can be very hard when you find just eating out of bed in the morning a significant issue.

My concern is that a view is not presented that suggests that those that do not exercise and eat the greatest diet are to blame for their depression, that may not have been the OPs intention but I think it is very important not to lay the blame for such a condition at the sufferers door, it can only be counter productive in such a situation, given the almost inevitable guilt and and low esteem they will already be suffering.

All of that said I do not believe that drugs alone can "fix" depression or anxiety issues in the vast majority of cases, I would say all but I'm in no position to make such a statement. I believe that drugs can offer some stability and breathing space for treatments such a CBT or whatever your psychiatrist deems suitable for your individual needs.

For me a combination of ADs (in my case Vanlafaxine) and CBT along with some moderate exercise, I walk the dog twice a day, I've stopped drinking alcohol and am on my way to stopping benzos has made a massive difference to my outlook.

I stand my statement, if you believe you are suffering from anxiety or depression get yourself to a doctor ASAP, do not wait whilst you join the lpcal gym, which you probably won't go to or change to a raw vegetable diet that your going to give up in a week....again extremes, but having had more than one condition where the where both the medical profession and others seem to want to blame the patient I have strong feeling on the subject so my apologies if this has come over a little harshly, its close to my heart.
 
^ if it wasn't clear in my last post, I agree 100% with absolutely everything you said in this one. Spot on throughout and very well articulated. cheers
 
I second the recommendation to see a doctor about your anxiety problems. HOWEVER, the OTC antihistamine chlorpheniramine and its relatives brompheniramine and pheniramine are weak SSRIs, and can perhaps stave off the anxiety for the time between now and your appointment should you make one. (In fact, the first ever SSRI was based off of chlorpheniramine.) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is also an SSRI. It helped me out a lot when I was on the rather anxiogenic antidepressant bupropion. For each of these I wouldn't take any more than is recommended for allergies. At these dosage levels they are relatively safe and worth a try. Just heed the maximums listed on the box!
 
My apologies Mr Cane, I think I am a little agitated at the moment with this taper:\

@blindingaffinty , its always tricky here on BL to discuss subjects when many people in BDD and TDS are from the US and I live in the UK.

There are many differences in our medical system, I am not a medical person neither do have any direct involvement in providing any kind of medical treatment and I don't have much in the way of knowledge of the system you have in the US. However fro discussion here and from visiting the US on a number of occasions, from Mississippi to Boston and other areas, I may have even strayed into Canada at one point;) I know the differences are significant.

I think ther are 2 important points to be made that, in this case are pertinent:-

* If I ring my Doctors and state the issue is and emergency they pretty much have to provide me with an appointment within 24Hrs, this may not be with your doctor of choice but they have government set targets that they must meet as long as you state it is an emergency. For anyone reading this in the UK, do not allow some power crazed doctors receptionist to try and wriggle out of this one, you do not have to discuss your medical issues with them, just say it is matter you will only discuss with a doctor and if you don't get on with your doctor see another. I don't see my official Doctor at all because he is an arse (thats ass to you guys over the pond ;) )

* The prescribing of Benzos for is very limited and for anxiety you would be lucky to get script for more than couple of weeks worth tops, depression and anxiety are treated mainly with SSRIs in the first instance moving on to Trcyclics and others if the SSRIs prove ineffective. It is very rare for anyone to get a long term benzo script IME. Treatments like CBT are also provided via referral from a doctor but waiting lists are around 3months for such treatment.

If you have the money you can have private treatment or indeed private medical insurance which would pay for such treatment, you will in many cases get the treatment quicker, weather in all cases it is better is debatable TBH, it really depends on what you condition is. Personally I do not have private health insurance but that is a personal choice.

And just to be clear before anyone starts to suggest we have system that is free, clearly that is not the case, it if funded via taxation which is not optional i.e. if you have private medical health insurance it has no bearing on your tax, although it does mean that those who do not work and pay tax get access to that system as well.

So back on topic there really is no need to self medicate, I've tried it everything from cocaine to whiskey to 5-HTP and a whole heap more, I would have been much better off just going to my doctor, its a bit like trying to fix your car with a adjustable spanner (wrench) and a hammer when your next door neighbor is a car mechanic, you might get lucky and fix the problem or you might at best take the skin off your knuckles and be no further on.
 
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Honestly, a lot of anxiety disorders stem from burned out adrenals. You'll know if this applies to you because no matter how much you sleep, you feel tired all the time. You feel like a space cadet easily, like you are always a bit groggy or in a fog. You also have anxiety or panic that is easily triggered by mundane situations. It means you need to work on your adrenal system. I lived with adrenal fatigue for years after all my drug use and travelling, but I had no idea that this was even the problem. So, I'm giving you this info now to prevent you from going through years of agony and misdiagnosis.

The best anxiety combo I've taken is adrenal adaptogens including rhodiola, ashwaganda, and pantethine together. Take them in the morning before you eat breakfast and it will modulate your adrenal system for the day. It gives you endurance for when you need it, but it modulates your cortisol levels in response to stress so that you aren't so wired. I find it very grounding. It also helps you to feel less impacted by stressful situations - it's like you can observe the chaos without feeling that sharpness of adrenaline rushing in your body.

I take a formula called Ortho-Adapt by AOR and in my opinion it's the best because it contains adrenal tissue from animals. The label says to take 3-4 pills/day but I take 2 in the morning and that does me just fine. Avoid stimulants like caffeine or redbull if you do this otherwise it might overwhelm you, and never take them at night because they'll be a bit too stimulating. Interestingly, if you're a caffeine addict, taking adrenal adaptogens can help you make the transition to sobriety.

Just one last note... no doubt that anxiety has a mental component as well, such as excessive worrying and over-thinking; but sometimes the adrenal fatigue and the worrying create a vicious cycle that is hard to break. Sometimes treating adrenals is enough to chill out the thought processes.
 
Kratom is a good anti-anxiety/mood enhancer for me. 4-5 "00" size caps of powder. It is mildly addictive and a GODSEND for opiod WD's
 
Have not read any responses: Hydroxyzine, it may be prescribed but it's not scheduled.
 
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