Supplements

[roseanxiety]

Ever since I first started having anxiety three weeks ago, I have been taking supplements. I take two magnesium citrates, a 5-HTP, valerian roots, and 4 anti-stress anxiety pills from whole foods (two in morning, two at night). Anybody know if this is bad at all? Cause sometimes during moments of high stress I will take another anti-stress pill. They're all natural supplements but I just want to know that its okay and not bad for me or just prolonging my anxiety. I also drink chamomile tea, kava tea and sometimes take melatonin. I just feel like I invest so many "calming" things, and i wonder if its bad.

[SuzanneJohn]

Do they help?

[roseanxiety in reply to SuzanneJohn]

They seem too. Though I am too afraid to not take them, I wouldn't exactly know. But, when I am feeling anxious, and i take a valerian or an anti-stress pill, i do notice that i am not as prone to anxious feelings after about thirty minutes. I think the magnesium also helps reduce my nervous physical sensations.

[SuzanneJohn in reply to roseanxiety]

Are u against pharmaceuticals?

[roseanxiety in reply to SuzanneJohn]

not necessarily! but i just think my anxiety is situational, it only started around three weeks ago after i had a panic attack. before that i had no anxiety/stress and i was the calmest, happiest person. i also don't have depression, so i feel like my anxiety might not have to be managed with medication. i also am worried about side effects. i am a really paranoid person when it comes to pills and medication, so i want to get rid of my anxiety as naturally as i can. medication will be an option for me, just more of a last resort.

[SuzanneJohn in reply to roseanxiety]

Interesting, how long did your attack last?

[roseanxiety in reply to SuzanneJohn]

it was late at night when my best friend was sleeping over, i laid down to go to bed and felt like i couldn't breathe so i quietly walked into my moms room to see if she was still awake and i slept in her bed with her haha. it lasted for about 30 minutes of me freaking out and then i was just jittery and anxious the rest of the night. i couldn't sleep until 6am and i spent the whole night on my phone looking for answers as to what was wrong with me. the next morning i thought it would be all gone and i would be fine but i had generalized anxiety throughout the day, which i still happen to be dealing with three weeks later...

[iris_r]

Hi there...I can't speak to whether they are bad or not but I'm wondering if they're helping? I'm assuming so since you keep taking them. What's the name of the anti-stress anxiety pill from whole foods? What is HTP? I'm interested in natural supplements.

Perhaps there is a naturopath you can ask about whether they are bad for you.

Thank you and wishing you well!

[roseanxiety]

5-HTP is 5-Hydroxytryptophan, its in turkey, so thats why some can feel really relaxed after big thanksgiving dinners haha. It also increases production of serotonin naturally.

The anti-stress one Im using now is called AnxietyFree and i got it at whole foods, If you go look in their supplement section they usually have a section where there are lots of anxiety supplements. Definitely recommend doing some research and getting some if you want a natural alternative to medication!

[Runell1024]

Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA due to either a lack of study, results that vary too greatly from person to person, or both.

That being said, these may not yield similar results for you as they may for another. This also means that any side effects could be a mystery.

My advice is to just do some digging. See what types of medications each supplement has known contraindications with and make the decision as to whether (if there is even a risk at all) you want to keep taking these.

I hope this helps.

[roseanxiety in reply to Runell1024]

yes thank you! definitely going to do more research.

[SuzanneJohn]

Well that doesn’t sound too bad. My first lasted 14 hours til I got medicated at the ER. It’s not a competition tho😂 nor do I wish to minimize your pain. Definitely try not to get sleep deprived.

[roseanxiety in reply to SuzanneJohn]

yea i guess it wasn't of course compared to what others experience, it was just completely horrifying to me because i had no idea what a panic attack or anxiety was before it happened. i also thought there wasn't going to be anxiety that follows it day to day, my sister had a panic attack once but the next morning she was fine. so for two weeks i thought something was actually wrong with my mind until i did enough research.

[SuzanneJohn in reply to roseanxiety]

Are you worried about having another?

[SuzanneJohn]

Are you worried about having another one?

[roseanxiety in reply to SuzanneJohn]

kind of, but since it hasn't really escalated to that and its just anxiety now, now I'm just worried when the anxiety itself will go away. its really interfering with my life now cause i can't even stay in my own apartment at school, I've been driving home from classes like an hour to my parents house to sleep. just want it to go away cause this isn't me.

[Hidden]

I’m 23 and have dealt with panic attacks off and on my whole life. It’s a vicious cycle bc once you’ve had a panic attack, you end up worrying about having another one which, that alone, can set off an attack. I have found that knowledge is power, and the more I’ve researched panic attacks, the more I’ve been able to talk myself down when i feel one coming on. My biggest thing is just knowing that it’s a panic attack and not something wrong with me/I’m not dying (even though it definitely feels like it). I’ve been on medication for years, but hopefully soon i can transition to more natural methods to cope with it. Good luck and sending positive vibes your way. ❤️

[roseanxiety in reply to Hidden]

thank you! yea i guess what was so strange to me is because most people with anxiety are like you, where they've spent their whole life dealing with this, but me having my first one at 21 must have just thrown me off. the natural supplements do help! I'm sure you can use them once you ween off meds <3 good luck to you too.

[Hidden in reply to roseanxiety]

Yeah i totally get that! Unfortunately anxiety doesn’t discriminate when it comes to age. I hope you are doing better!!!❤️

[SuzanneJohn in reply to roseanxiety]

I had my first at 30.

[Elaine1963]

My doctor is totally against herbal supplements. I take Adrenal Health, 2 capsules daily and Zenmind for when I have attacks. I have also been using Black Seed Oil, 1 tsp daily.

It has helped me with overall anxiety. But I choose to see a counselor because the anxiety may have produced the phobia of not wanting to be alone. We let you know how things work out.

[roseanxiety in reply to Elaine1963]

why are they against herbal supplements? i would really like to know because i haven't heard much negative about them.

and yes please let me know how things work out! good luck.