Anxiety Treatment

[Saw11_2000]

Did you gradually come off medication, or did you just stop? Was it an antidepressant or a benzodiazepine like Xanax?

A good place to start is http://www.bioticsresearch.com/Products/DeStress.htm

I'm also impressed with biotics' 5HTP product for depression.

These are but only two products out of many that could be of help to you.

In my opinion, one needs to clean up their diet and make major life-style changes inorder to truly beat this distructive condition. Do not look for a magic pill (either medical or natural) that will bring about inner peace. I too suffered from major anxiety, so I know what it is like. The best day of my life was when I went to my medical doctor and told her that I no longer needed her prescriptions any more. She thought I would be back. She remains wrong after over a year.

I will not debate anyone about this issue. Consult your doctor before stopping any medication(s). I will though help anyone, in any way I can.

Peace be with you,

Ardent Listener

 

[Saw11_2000]

Does anyone believe that medications should not be prescribed for any mental illness, and a naturalistic approach should be forced upon people with depression, OCD, GAD, SAD, PTSD, panic disorder, or whatever other mental conditions exist? Does anyone believe that medication is just for people who don't want to deal with their problems, or that they don't have any problems at all?

 

[Solon]

Does anyone believe that medications should not be prescribed for any mental illness, and a naturalistic approach should be forced upon people with depression, OCD, GAD, SAD, PTSD, panic disorder, or whatever other mental conditions exist? Does anyone believe that medication is just for people who don't want to deal with their problems, or that they don't have any problems at all?

Not at all, that way, you would force utter collapse on many: Medications can be salvation.

Solon

 

[Darkdale]

I usually eat better, try to get 8 hours of sleep a night and plenty of exercise.

 

[Solon]

I have found that stretching is very relaxing.

I do some Yoga and weights combined, which is useful. I haven't thought stopped taking xanax and I have no intention of doing so. I find a combination of different things helps most. But nothing can shield you from the rubbish that life dumps upon you, you just have deal with it.

Solon

 

[Saw11_2000]

Do you believe exercise should be used in addition to medication or exercise should be used in exclusion of medication?

 

[Solon]

Excercise and Medication, best in my opinion to have a combinational approach.

S

 

[michel]

Do you believe exercise should be used in addition to medication or exercise should be used in exclusion of medication?

If you can avoid medication, do so. If you are already on medication, do not try to come off it without advice and monitoring by the doctor; sure excercise is good - excercise produces endorphins, which make you feel good.

I had no choice; as a sufferer from Chronic depression for the last 40 years, I am on medication. Add to that medication for Exzema, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Spodulitis, Arthritis; well, shake me and I rattle!!

 

[Pardus]

I believe that some people can "cure" themselves by working through it, but some people need the help of medication. Very few types of medication actually "cure" problems, the only class that comes to mind is antibiotics. OCD and illnesses like it such as depression have been physically seen to be disorders. There is increase brain activity in those with OCD and a mutated hSERT gene, which further proves that it isn't just in your head.

Acctually that is how i use the aforemention illegal substance (cannabis) as it allows me to sit in a relaxed state in which i can comfortably face the issues linked to my mental state.

If anyone is interested, the problem is that i have a phobia of other people.

 

[Saw11_2000]

Does anyone believe in a natural treatment for depression using some type of plants or something?

 

[Pardus]

St. Johns Wort?

 

[Saw11_2000]

Assuming that you have social anxiety disorder, did your doctor try to put you on medication? Were you more willing to try the natural alternative to medication? Did you take medication?

Of course if the answer is no for the first one, there won't be much of a response I suppose.

Acctually that is how i use the aforemention illegal substance (cannabis) as it allows me to sit in a relaxed state in which i can comfortably face the issues linked to my mental state.

If anyone is interested, the problem is that i have a phobia of other people.

 

[Pardus]

Yes, Yes, Yes.

I do believe, tho, that taking your healing into your own hands is not the best thing for everyone.

In my opinion you also need to have people close to you that you can talk to for a more objective opinion on issues you are trying to resolve.

Above all act responsibly and take responsibility for your actions.

P.S Don't forget to allow yourself to cry.

 

[Saw11_2000]

Do you guys think that the predisposition of anxiety disorders is related to genetics? The environment? Both?

 

[Fluffy]

Do you guys think that the predisposition of anxiety disorders is related to genetics? The environment? Both?

There is strong evidence for it being genetic and triggered by the environment. This is not to say you can't get anxiety disorders if you aren't predisposed to them just that you can't become predisposed to them based on experience.

 

[Saw11_2000]

That's my feeling as well.

 

[michel]

That's my feeling as well.

I understood that it was more situational, or from environment, but the following article seems to say otherwise...................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2135704.stm

Friday, 19 July, 2002, 00:11 GMT 01:11 UK Genetic link to anxiety

Anxiety is a common disorder


Anxiety may in part be an inherited condition linked to a specific gene, researchers have suggested.

A team from the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, have pinpointed a gene called SLC6A4.

They found people with a certain form of this gene were more prone to anxiety.

However, they admit that the differences were relatively small, and that a single gene in isolation is unlikely to determine whether a person is anxious or not.

Instead, it is likely to be one factor among others.

It is estimated that more than one in ten people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder.

The SLC6A4 gene plays a central role in the transmission of the chemical serotonin around the brain.

Each parent passes either a short or a long version of this gene on to their offspring.

The short version transports serotonin less efficiently, and people with one or two of these tend to show abnormal levels of anxiety.

Brain activity

The researchers tested their theory by measuring the anxiety response in volunteers who were showed pictures of faces with angry or frightened expressions.

They did this by recording levels of activity in an area of the brain called the amygdala, which plays a role in controlling the emotions.

Activity in the amydala was higher for individuals with at least one short version of the SLC6A4 gene.

Researcher Dr Daniel Weinberger told BBC News Online the study was the first to show how a gene contributes to aspects of human emotionality and temperament.

"We have known for a long time that temperament is genetic and that it is present to some degree from very early in life.

"Also we have known that the amygdala is a part of the human brain involved in emotions, particularly the sense of fear and anxiety associated with danger.

"This study shows that one of the factors related to the response of the amygdala to the environment - presumably how quick it is to see dangerousness and how "loudly" it responds - is related to the form of the gene that people inherit."

Dr Weinberger said the next step was to look at other genes and environmental factors that might interact with SLC6A4.

Complex factors

John Fraise, a chartered clinical psychologist at the Adult Psychological Therapy Service in Wakefield, said it was possible that some people had a genetic pre-disposition to anxiety, while others may have become more anxious as a result of life experiences.

He said that the interaction between genes, environment and behaviour was likely to be a complex one. Even if a gene for anxiety was discovered, a lot of work would be needed to put that knowledge to practical use, he said. "What I am waiting to find out is not whether a particular gene is involved, but whether things can be engineered to straighten the faulty version of that gene out."

 

[Saw11_2000]

I said it was genetic and environmental.

I understood that it was more situational, or from environment, but the following article seems to say otherwise...................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2135704.stm

Friday, 19 July, 2002, 00:11 GMT 01:11 UK Genetic link to anxiety

Anxiety is a common disorder


Anxiety may in part be an inherited condition linked to a specific gene, researchers have suggested.

A team from the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, have pinpointed a gene called SLC6A4.

They found people with a certain form of this gene were more prone to anxiety.

However, they admit that the differences were relatively small, and that a single gene in isolation is unlikely to determine whether a person is anxious or not.

Instead, it is likely to be one factor among others.

It is estimated that more than one in ten people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder.

The SLC6A4 gene plays a central role in the transmission of the chemical serotonin around the brain.

Each parent passes either a short or a long version of this gene on to their offspring.

The short version transports serotonin less efficiently, and people with one or two of these tend to show abnormal levels of anxiety.

Brain activity

The researchers tested their theory by measuring the anxiety response in volunteers who were showed pictures of faces with angry or frightened expressions.

They did this by recording levels of activity in an area of the brain called the amygdala, which plays a role in controlling the emotions.

Activity in the amydala was higher for individuals with at least one short version of the SLC6A4 gene.

Researcher Dr Daniel Weinberger told BBC News Online the study was the first to show how a gene contributes to aspects of human emotionality and temperament.

"We have known for a long time that temperament is genetic and that it is present to some degree from very early in life.

"Also we have known that the amygdala is a part of the human brain involved in emotions, particularly the sense of fear and anxiety associated with danger.

"This study shows that one of the factors related to the response of the amygdala to the environment - presumably how quick it is to see dangerousness and how "loudly" it responds - is related to the form of the gene that people inherit."

Dr Weinberger said the next step was to look at other genes and environmental factors that might interact with SLC6A4.

Complex factors

John Fraise, a chartered clinical psychologist at the Adult Psychological Therapy Service in Wakefield, said it was possible that some people had a genetic pre-disposition to anxiety, while others may have become more anxious as a result of life experiences.

He said that the interaction between genes, environment and behaviour was likely to be a complex one. Even if a gene for anxiety was discovered, a lot of work would be needed to put that knowledge to practical use, he said. "What I am waiting to find out is not whether a particular gene is involved, but whether things can be engineered to straighten the faulty version of that gene out."

 

[Pardus]

Yeah it's both.

 

[Dark_Waltz]

I believe that some people can "cure" themselves by working through it, but some people need the help of medication. Very few types of medication actually "cure" problems, the only class that comes to mind is antibiotics. OCD and illnesses like it such as depression have been physically seen to be disorders. There is increase brain activity in those with OCD and a mutated hSERT gene, which further proves that it isn't just in your head.

No your wrong Anxiety attacks always have a trigger, even if its a small trigger its a trigger none the less,
We live in a highly stressful world.
Though I often get attacks via temper but I would never blame it on genetics