what has helped you the most with anxiety?

[Molliejo]

Since the beginning of my pregnancy, I have had the worst anxiety ever over silly things. I know that they are trivial and shouldn't really be a big deal, but I still have horrible reactions to things. I can actually feel my blood presssure going up, and my heart starts pounding. My mouth gets dry and my palms start sweating. It's bad. I hate it. I feel like it has begun to take over my life.

I have been to a naturopath about this, who gave me a remedy (pulsatilla, not sure if it is working), fish oil supplements, and extra B vitamins.

I don't know what else to do.

I am just wondering what has worked for other people.

[sphinxie]

First I recommend checking out Edmund Bourne's books on anxiety.

What works for me...

- klonopin

- daily vitamin powder in drink, which I got from my ND... have trouble with diet & nutrient absorption

- epsom salts baths w/ lavender... the bath is relaxing, the epsom salts provide magnesium which is relaxing and detoxing

- breathing: still working on this.

I recently got a book called "the woman's comfort book" by Jennifer Louden (sp?) which is also helpful on ideas for self-care.

[kaydee]

I second the recommendation for the Bourne books on anxiety, along with a suggestion to try cognitive-behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy if you can manage it.

For me, medication has been essential to my mental health. Diet, meditation, therapy, etc., have been great, but not enough on their own.

My anxiety issues are longstanding, and Paxil has been the most helpful ongoing medication in lowering my overall anxiety levels. I do take Ativan once in a while when I am going through a particularly anxious/panicky period.

[stayathomecristi]

Sometimes Rescue Remedy will take the edge off if I catch it right away (I keep this in my purse).

The homeopathic remedy Aconitum Napellus usually works for me pretty quickly.

If neither of those works (usually the aconite does the trick), I go to Klonopin (1/4 tablet).

Mega doses of fish oil are helping with the depression--I've noticed a marked difference since I started taking them 2 weeks ago.

[Molliejo]

Originally Posted by stayathomecristi

Sometimes Rescue Remedy will take the edge off if I catch it right away (I keep this in my purse).

The homeopathic remedy Aconitum Napellus usually works for me pretty quickly.

If neither of those works (usually the aconite does the trick), I go to Klonopin (1/4 tablet).

Mega doses of fish oil are helping with the depression--I've noticed a marked difference since I started taking them 2 weeks ago.

What would be considered a mega-dose? I take a tablespoon a day now. Do you take more than that?

thanks for all your responses so far! :