Any natural advice for severe panic disorder and g.a.d.?

I suffer from debilitating anxiety attacks. I've had them all my life and the dabbling in "modern medicine" worked for a spell but plateaud, leaving me even worse and with withdrawal to boot. I've been to a handful of different professionals and they just guess, prescribe, guess, prescribe... very frustrating.

So the long and short of it is, I'm sick of taking medicines like effexor, paxil and zoloft... I just can't stomach trying more. So I've turned my sites on natural therapy.

Is there anything that truly works for anyone out there? I mean really works... not "well natural prescription for wellness encyclopedia says...."

I've tried 5 HTP, took up yoga for about 2 years, took St Johns Wort for about 2 months, took extra B vitamins and took up tai chi. I've been to therapists and normal doctors.

I'm looking into homeopathy and bach flower remedies and am a bit overwhelmed. I wish I could try acupuncture, but I'm out of work because of this and can't really afford it.

Be sure to rule-out these possible CAUSES:

1) Celiac Disease

2) Food allergies

3) Intestinal Dysbiosis/Leaky gut syndrome

4) Heavy metal toxicities (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.)

5) Micronutrient deficiencies (e.g. folate, B12, Magnesium, etc.)

6) Essential fatty acid imbalances - too little omega-3s and excessive levels of omega-6s.

7) Excessive levels of trans-fats.

8) Chronic, low-grade inflammation - e.g. from a chronic infection such as in the teeth from root canals, in the gut (dysbiosis), etc.

9) Environmental intolerances (multiple chemical sensitivity).

Obviously, your "doctors" have not evaluated you for these underlying biochemical problems. You may need to find a specialist in Nutritional Biochemistry, Functional Medicine, and/or Environmental Medicine to assist you. Some medical doctors, some Chiropractors, some Certified Clinical Nutritionists (CCNs), and most Naturopathic Physicians have the appropriate training.

Best wishes and good luck.

There are no instant remedies for a chronic condition be patient and focus on one treatment at a time; some treatments may take months before you notice an improvement.

Personally I've found working with Angels to be the most effective way of helping myself and the results do come quickly, but need to be continually updated.

The secret is to not ask for anything, but to say 'Thank You' for it already being done.

i used to have panic attacks allot, i had them for a few years and then i realized that they cant hurt you. so what i did was when ever i felt one coming on i would make some chamomile tea and turn on some Nora Jones and just relax, i know it doesn't sound like it would work but it did for me and here is why, i was scared to death when i had them i really thought i was going to die. and it was almost like my body was having fun scaring the **** out of me when i stoped caring and just let it happen i wasn't scared any more and i just eventually stoped having them

Patients with severe panic disorders, I've always recommended to try an experimental technique called neuro emotional technique. It's very effective, usually 1-2 visits, and fixes it for good.

http://netmindbody.com/patients/find-a-p...

This should bring you hope:
http://deadsmall.com/34J

Found stories by typing in anxiety in the search engine of this web site:
http://deadsmall.com/34K

Message me on what these people were taking and reinforcement as to why there are results.

Simple, not overwhelming.

For me, I always thought my panic and GAD were happening because I was sort of oversensitive and nervous... but in therapy I actually realized that I have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and that I am pretty much the poster child for it. So, reviewing my memories and looking at the things that have always triggered my panic... that places everything in a context and gives me a lot of confidence that I'm not crazy, that I feel like this for a reason.

I did try EMDR (look it up on Google) for processing of traumatic memory. It helped a lot.

I do have a (mostly) daily meditation practice. Much better than yoga/t'ai chi for MY anxiety, though I respect everyone who benefits from them. My meditation tradition is focused on letting feelings come and go, without judging them or fearing them. I feel a lot of joy and relief and I'm not as afraid of my fear.

Here's a link to something about fear, by one of my teachers:

http://www.dharma.org/ij/archives/1998a/...

These are the things that have worked for me. Good luck to you, keep having faith in yourself.


*Edit - I'm looking at this and I realized that it seemed kind of like I was trying to convert you to my meditation style. Not trying to convert you, no, no!! Just happy about what has worked for me. :)

Hi...panic attacks can sometimes be triggered by certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems. Panic attacks are symptoms that go along with hypothyroidism...so , you may want to get a screening for that.

Secondly, in the natural field, you could try aromatherapy. Essential oils such as lavender, geranium, and bergomont help calm the nervous system. You can inhale them from the bottle, or you can sniff them on a hankerchief that you have put a few drops on. You can also diffuse the smell throughout your home with a diffuser or steam vaporizor.

Most oils need to be diluted first ( with the exception of lavender which can be applied neat or directly to the skin), to prevent allergic reactions to the skin, but can be rubbed into the pulse points too.

Furthermore the oils can be dropped into a hot bath for relaxing and calming the nerves.

I hope this works, and remember, when all else fails, pray. =)