Non-Pharmeceutical Therapy

[nursewithcompassion]

Has anyone had success with non-pharmaceutical therapy? If so, what did you try?

[Calm_mama]

Hi there!

I was on Lexapro at a particularly difficult time with my anxiety, but found it made me feel more off-balanced/weird feeling than I was already, so stopped. I only gave it a month, so perhaps it would have helped if I'd stuck it out, but I didn't

I had some great years soon after that, although I have always had a propensity for anxiety and negative thinking.

I then had some really tough years that involved anxiety-induced depression. I could not get out of my head for about 2 years straight. I ruminated constantly. I was so detached. I hid it so well, only my husband really knew.

Then some more great years after I changed some things that needed changing, and I slowly pulled out of that.

Then, my teen daughter started having panic attacks and incredible anxiety, and I was thrust into a whole new place with some extreme anxiety myself, but I was also desperate to help her. So I left no stone unturned. It was then that I discovered the key to recovery. Others here have found it, too, and you will see Dr. Claire Weekes mentioned her a LOT. You can check out the resources I have on my profile, where I list some of her best-known resources, and I have also listed other resources that are based on her approach/teachings but come from a slightly different angle (because we all learn differently!) I also attended a year-long DBT course with my daughter and that reinforced some important things to seal the deal. (DBT is like CBT on steroids with some added layers.) I am a huge fan of CBT for anxiety. Dr. Weekes' approach combines CBT and psycho-neuroeducation. It's all amazing. If you decide to listen to/read Dr. Weekes' work, I suggest listening or reading repeatedly, until you really start to get it. Anxiety brainwashes us. It gets us believing all kinds of things that are so far from true. It gets us to believe we are ill or disabled with this terrible problem. It gets us believing that everything is or can be a catastrophe. It gets us so sensitized that we become bewildered, lose confidence, and are incredibly vulnerable. Dr. Weekes dispels all the myths and tells it like it is, with incredible compassion and warmth. We need to be "un-brainwashed" IMO. Give it a go!

PS I am also a nurse with compassion

[nursewithcompassion in reply to Calm_mama]

Thank you so much! I will definately check that out! I was on Paxil for a year and it never helled me and I sort of felt like it changed me, which I didn't like! I may try yoga and meditation. I started using aromatherapy a couple days ago and it helps!

[teemo1]

I've tried all kinds of non-pharmaceutical therapies. Two of them have had positive results:

1) The practice of Acceptance, as explained in the most classic of all books on anxiety called Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes.

2) Guided meditation using the Headspace app, particularly the series on Managing Anxiety.

Hope this helps!

[nursewithcompassion in reply to teemo1]

Thanks for the tips! I recently started painting which helps relax me