Joseph asks…
Supplements for Anxiety, what to pick?
My boyfriend is 21 and has anxiety…somewhat general, somewhat social anxiety. It comes and goes randomly, not due to specific situations. He also needs help focusing.
Sometimes he just feels blah and disconnected. I can relate because I have had very similar anxiety experiences myself.
He started going to my psychiatrist and was put on Zoloft, which he reacted badly to; he felt way worse and more anxiety. A few weeks later he tried Paxil and had similar reactions. He has Xanax to take occasionally, a tiny dose, but he can’t take it everyday. The psychiatrist said that meds probably won’t help him and to go for cognitive behavior therapy, which he plans on doing.
We’ve been reading a lot about different supplements that may help anxiety, all with mainly positive feedback from consumers and studies. However, what to choose?
There is:
L-Theanine
GABA
HTP-5
Vitamin B Complex
We have found some products that have a few of the above combined, such as Natrol Stress Anxiety Day & Night from GNC, which has 5-HTP, L-Theanine, and B Vitamins in the day, but not GABA, which is said to be one of the best supplements. A GABA Supplement we found only has GABA and B6, but not the other amino acids, 5-HTP and L-Theanine.
Can he take both? Or see how it goes with one or the other?
Any other ideas or suggestions are appreciated!
He currently takes a multi-vitamin and vitamin c (most days)
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3709754
vti answers:
Looks like you have already done a lot of research. Since you say that your boyfriend has anxiety and also needs help focusing, I would suggest L-Theanine and vitamin-B complex.
Here is a brief description of each of the supplements that you have mentioned: -
i) L-Theanine: A natural and safe compound extracted from green tea. It increases GABA and dopamine levels in the brain, and produces a relaxing effect in about 30 minutes. The effects can last for about 8 hours. It increases alpha-waves in the brain, which are found during attentive but relaxed behavior. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.
Ii) GABA: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Substances (such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and other anti-anxiety drugs or herbs) that increase the available amount of GABA in the central nervous system have relaxing, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsive, and sedative effects. Unfortunately, pure GABA supplements DO NOT cross the blood-brain barrier at significant levels, and may not be of much help. However, a substance called “picamilon” is able to cross the blood–brain barrier and gets converted into GABA and niacin. In theory picamilon might produce an anxiolytic effect.
Iii) 5-HTP is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. However, there are risks and side effects associated with 5-HTP. For example, when combined with MAOIs or SSRIs (e.g. Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, etc), 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening drug reaction.
Iv) Vitamin B Complex: Essential for a healthy nervous system. May or may not help anxiety, but taking it in the recommended doses is not going to hurt. Low levels of vitamin B6 is associated with depression, confusion, and a weak immune system.
In short, I would suggest L-Theanine, vitamin-B complex, and cognitive behavior therapy.
Richard asks…
Had anyone used ashwagandha supplements to control anxiety?
I mean the physical symptoms. If so, how long does it take for it to become effective, and what other supplements is best to combine with it?
vti answers:
Most supplements take one to three months to really work well. Ashwagandha is used to build up general strength, and there are better things to treat anxiety and its underlying cause. You would need to see a trained oriental medical doctor to get a proper evaluation done as to the underlying cause of your anxiety and they will order a combination of herbs just for you.
You can also apply this method to all your anxiety and isses to help heal them permanantly and quickly. Garythink.com , it works whether you believe it or not.
Carol asks…
Possible supplements for anxiety?
Long story short, I have had anxiety for 6 or 7 years and I’m only 22 now..
The type of anxiety i have is where my stomach hurts, I don’t eat a lot and I go to the bathroom quit often when my stomach starts hurting..
I have taken xanax before and feel really good without any side effects, eat more and become more productive forsure.. but I have taken 60 pills in the last 3 years and it always come back when I’m stressed
What are some good over the counter supplements or pills I can take daily to help me overcome this?
I have read something like bh-5 or mood stabilizing pills might help me. I need something kinda powerful but open to trying anything natural.
vti answers:
Http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/physicians-urge-americans-stop-wasting-money-supplements
A great article to read and follow up on before you spend any money.
Sharon asks…
how do you cure anxiety?
i only know 2 ways to realy cure anxiety one of them is exposing yourself as much as you can and second is realizing why your fears are irrational and ive been exposing myself to this fear 24/7 since the past year and it hasint gone away so i guess i should try the other option but are there any other ways?and dont wanna hear anything about god and antidepressants i know can be helpful but i never heard it has cured anybody as well as natural supplements
u dont know nothing about anxiety moriente
vti answers:
Well, anxiety isn’t actually something that is “cured”. Anxiety is something you learn to handle, and then the more you accept and understand it, the easier it is to treat.
What you’re thinking of when you say exposing yourself to your fear is cognitive behavioural therapy. For example, I have a severe needle phobia, so I’m gradually introducing myself to vaccinations. First, I walk past the health unit. Next, I sit inside. Eventually, I will hold a syringe in my hand. This will gradually desensitize me to the idea of being given a vaccination.
Realizing your fears are irrational is a good step to take, but don’t beat yourself up over it, either. If you are constantly talking down to yourself for your irrational fear, you may start to feel badly towards yourself for having this irrational fear.
1. Talk to your doctor. Even if you do not want to take medication, it is important they’re aware of the problems you’re having. Remember, your doctor is there to help you! If it is necessary, you may be offered medication or therapy. However, I’m not your doctor, so I can’t prescribe anything.
2. Talk to someone you trust. It’s very important to make sure everyone around you understands what’s happening to you. For example, it’s much easier to handle a panic attack when the people around you know what you’re going through and they know what to do for you. It’s also important to get your feelings out, because if you try to bottle them up, they’re going to consume you.
3. Start a diary or a journal, either on the computer or on paper. It doesn’t have to be eight pages of writing every day, but just write down how you feel. Be as consistent as possible, and take time to reflect on what you’ve previously written. You might notice patterns in your thoughts or realize something new about yourself that may help you handle your anxiety.
4. Meditate. It’s easy, simple, and very cleansing. You can either find a guided meditation on the Internet (YouTube is good) or download an app onto your iPod/iPhone/device that offers guided meditation. You can read more on meditation just by doing an Internet search, but it’s actually quite easy and offers a lot of enlightment that is very effective when treating anxiety.
5. Deep breathing. As with meditation, there are actually apps that will time your breaths for you. Practice deep breathing, and the more you do it, the easier it will become. It decreases stress as well as combats anxiety.
6. Herbal remedies. Lavender and chamomile are two herbs proven to help with anxiety, and those two are the most safe.
-Aromatherapy. Bath & Body Works, as well as various other places, offer lavender-scented perfume, body wash, and even mist to spray on your pillow that will help you relax and sleep. Also try candles and incense. Lavender is very relaxing and is a natural sedative.
-Chamomile tea is also proven to calm anxiety. However, I find drinking any kind of tea generally makes me calmer.
(Note: there are various other natural remedies, but lavender and chamomile are the two safest. You may also like to research valerian root, kava kava, passion flower, rhondiola rosea and winter cherry.)
7. Eat foods that are high in tryptophan. This is an amino acid that reduces anxiety by promoting sleep.
-cheese
-chicken
-soy products
-eggs
-tofu
-milk
-fish
-turkey
-nuts/peanut/peanut butter
-pumpkin seeds/sesame seeds
8. Avoid alcohol. I’m not sure if you drink or not, but because alcohol is a depressant, is worsens anxiety.
9. Get a good night’s rest. Make sure that you are able to sleep well and do what you can to ensure that you can sleep. Adjust the room temperature, wash the sheets, fluff your pillows, spray lavender-scented mist on your pillow, drink a glass of warm milk, ect.
10. Warm drinks, such as warm milk or apple cider, are excellent. Tea (especially chamomile) is also wonderful. The only downside of tea is caffeine, and caffeine can increase feelings of shakiness, nervousnes, or anxiety. Tea is also a diuretic, so if you drink it before bed, you may be up all night peeing, which will interfere with your sleep.
11. Vitamin B! B vitamins are believed to help fight feelings of anxiety by affecting your brain’s production of neurotransmitters.
-cereal grains
-legumes
-cauliflower
-leafy vegetables
-mushrooms
-citrus
-seeds
-pork
12. Stay hydrated! Drinking water is proven to keep you very healthy. Not only does it increase your general well-being (which is key in treating anxiety), even mild dehydration can make your mood go down and worsen anxiety.
Remember, the most important thing is to understand your anxiety. Some things may work better than others. Best of luck to you!
Charles asks…
Anxiety!!!?
Has anyone ever overcome anxiety?? I want to know how long did u suffer from this and when u were getting thru it were u on meds and are u now off of them!!
vti answers:
Yes. I suffered with major anxiety and panic attacks for about 2 years. At first I took zoloft to help keep myself “under control” then after about a year on that I got off of it and tried natural remedies. I tried St Johns Wort which did calm me down but gave me heart palpitations so I stopped. Then I started taking magnesium and taurine supplements throughout the day which helped with my anxiety tremendously. At that time I also found a WONDERFUL herb called MOTHER WORT which saved my life from anxiety/panic.
Although now I have cut back on the mag/taur supp, I still take Mother Wort if I start to have that familiar creeping feeling of panic.
Hang in there because your anxiety won’t last forever.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers