Alternative Remedies/Therapies for anxiety/depression?

[dishandspoon]

I wondered if any MN's have any experience of treating anxiety attacks/low level depression via alternative means - herbal remedies, complementary therapies etc?

I would really like to hear of any thoughts/feedback/exeriences of this.

I am looking at ways of managing anxiety attacks and low level depression and ideally do not want to go down the prescribed medication route. I am hoping to access CBT (or similar) but there is a long waiting list.

I am wondering about other options .... EFT.Hypnotherapy. Valerian ... St John's Wort ... I am not to well off financially so some feedback before trying these things would be really helpful.

I am trying all of the usual distraction/relaxation techniques to tackle the depression - which is not so severe that I feel I need medication from my GP - I exercise/walk outdoors every day and I have found that that really helps. Also setting time aside to just watch telly or knit or similar (I used to find relaxing very difficult, felt it hard justifying the time). I am also eating well and taking vitamins where I thought there might be a deficiency. Again these have helped considerably.

If anyone can offer any other tips/advice I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[dishandspoon]

*too not to.

Other thing am considering is doing some voluntary work to get me out of the house more as am not in full time work at moment, but do work PT on an irregular basis.

[MrsMcJnr]

Hi, I´m no help to you I´m afraid but I was wondering what "all the usual distraction/relaxation techniques" are as I think they might really help me.

[dishandspoon]

Hi MrsMcJnr it might seem like stuff that many people do as a matter of course, and this may sound odd to some, but I kind of have to tell myself to do things that will help me get out of how I'm feeling - so for example I might knit, or read a trash mag, or go for a walk ... seemingly obvious stuff to many, am guessing, but I have to remind myself that these are good ways of distracting myself from feeling down/fed up. They often help me cope with how I am feeling/distance myself from it a bit/manage it on day to day level; especially the walking/exercise/gardening; but am aware that I still have this low level depression, underlying really, that am wondering if St John's Wort may help.

[SylvanMuldoon]

I'm a hypnotherapist and have myself also suffered with anxiety and depression and use hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT amongst other techniques with my clients and my own issues.

Out of them all I can't speak highly enough of EFT. It is amazing and very fast and simple to learn. I use tapping more than anything else and teach all my clients how to do it.

There are loads of free how-to videos on YouTube and it is one of the most useful things I have ever learnt. I tap almost every day for something or other!

[GeoffLeopard]

Hi dishandspoon. I'm having CBT at the moment for depression and anxiety. Here's some of what I've learnt so far:

Depression relates to the past. Anxiety relates to the future so you're never in the present

Mindfulness helps you to stay in the present. Google it... It's really so powerful and relaxing.

In reading Martin Seligman's book Learned Optimism. Worth checking out it's really good.

A crucial component of CBT is that you have to identify the negative thoughts you're having and interrupt them ("I know you're there but I'm not listening to you"... Out loud if necessary). Helps to form new neural pathways.

Hope that helps and good luck xx

[dishandspoon]

This is brilliant - thank you so much for posting SylvanMuldoon and GeoffLeopard. I have heard of EFT but never looked on YouTube, I hadn't even thought of that, but yes of course great place to look! I will check that out today and report back, as it might help others checking out this thread?

Thanks so much for the book recommendation too Geoff - I will definitely make a note of that title and order it online, I am trying to do self-help as much as I can as there isn't much available where I live on the NHS, other than pills which I'd rather not take. I already have a book on Mindfulness that I am reading for a second time (I have to read things a few times for them to sink in, it seems).

Thanks so much for the advice, I will definitely update here once I am a bit further along!

[SeasonofTheWitch]

Hello dish

I posted a thread the other day about the Three Principles. It could be exactly what you're looking for.

Lots of hynotherapists and EFT, CBT or NLP practitioners are moving over to this because it works so well.

Have a read and feel free to ask me any Qs: threeprinciplesblog.com/new-start-here/

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

St John's Wort is good but better in the winter than summer as it can cause light aversion.

Wild swimming in cold water - really. A lot of wild swimmers find it keeps mild depression at bay and I had a severely depressed boyfriend who found it really helped.

You sound really proactive and wise in the way you're dealing with it. Best of luck xxx

[magicgirl74]

I take anti-depressants but when my anxiety and panic gets bad I use something called rescue remedy you can get it from boots and other chemists and also some supermarkets.they are herbal and come in drops or pastills I use both and carry the pastills in my bag when I'm out they also do night rescue if you struggle getting to sleep xx