Has anyone had success controlling their anxiety without medication?

[Twoweekcruise]

I have terrible anxiety, have had it for years and years along with other anxiety related health issues.
Thing is, I am now mid forties and I don't want to spend the rest of my life feeling this way.
I have tried medication but I can't not get over the initial horrible side effects which just feeds my anxiety and health anxiety and makes me feel so much worse.
I've also tried various therapies such as CBT and counselling and whilst they help, I have only been able to have these treatments on the NHS and can only get up to 6 weeks help so I just start feeling I am getting somewhere and then the sessions end and I'm back to square one.
If I had tons of money I would pay for long term therapy but that's out of the question!
So I'm looking to help myself,hopefully without meds and wonder if anyone has had success this way i.e. Mindfulness, vitamins, adding stuff in diet/taking stuff out etc?

[EezerGoode]

Watching with interest...am about to have CBT...for the same as you

[HeyBigSpender]

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but this really stuck out for me:

"I have tried medication but I can't not get over the initial horrible side effects which just feeds my anxiety and health anxiety and makes me feel so much worse."

I was exactly the same for years, I took citalopram and completely lost my appetite, felt sick and generally felt dreadful - and gave up after a week.

I've been having CBT, therapy, all sorts, but not really getting any better and really struggled to function in work and in relationships. I had frequent panic attacks.

When I went to the doctors in April they suggested I tried medication again. What they said was that though I was hesitant, ultimately what I was doing wasn't working. If I really didn't get on with the antidepressant we tried then we could come off it and try something else. I wouldn't lose anything by trying.

So I agreed, and honestly it's the best decision I made all year. I feel so much calmer and able to think through things clearly without the constant cycle of worrying and panic attacks. For the first week I felt quite sick and had some stomach problems but really, it wasn't that bad and I just had to push through it. I appreciate that if you have health anxiety then it does make it harder, but maybe you could agree with your GP to meet with them after one week to go over the side effects.

Please give it a go - it's honestly changed my life and I am continuing to have CBT type therapy to learn how to handle things better. Since I feel better overall it's a lot easier to focus on learning those skills.

[EezerGoode]

Didn't know you only got 6 weeks of it....I'm going it alone .as in no meds.spent 20 yrs on various stuff ..that made me put on weight ,huge amounts..so now I won't touch the stuff

[Twoweekcruise]

Eezer good luck I really hope it helps, anxiety is horrible 😞

[Twoweekcruise]

Hey maybe I should give meds a go but the truth is I'm so scared to.

[HeyBigSpender]

Sertraline is what I'm on, by the way. I've seen lots of positive comments about its effects on here over the last few weeks, actually.

[HeyBigSpender]

I was literally petrified, I hated the idea of medication and thought I should do it "properly" for it to be real. I really had to give myself a shake and tell myself enough is enough, I have to do whatever it takes to get a decent quality of life

[Cooloncraze]

Sertraline. I tried numerous alternative therapies and counselling and hypnotherapy and CBT but sertraline made me feel like myself again.
You do have to cope with how awful the first 3 weeks are though. I wish I'd taken it sooner.
Good luck OP

[EezerGoode]

I got put on matazapine a few weeks a go..I've a thread on here somewhere...only managed one tablet...spent the whole day unable to ive the kids to school and feeling stoned

[HeyBigSpender]

And I personally haven't put on any weight, so the side effects definitely vary from person to person and you can change medication if one type doesn't work for you.

My GP is very nice and supportive though, which really helps. She reassured me a lot and I've had many follow up appointments to check in. Do you get on with yours?

[EezerGoode]

Drive

[Twoweekcruise]

The weight thing would also be a huge issue for me. But then I tell myself that's me thinking now maybe if I were on meds and much more relaxed and at ease, I would be living a much free and easier life and a few extra pounds wouldn't be such a problem as it would be now in my constant 'uptight' life!

[NouveauBitch]

The only thing that controls my anxiety if I'm not taking meds is anorexia. So not an option.

I have tried loads of meds and eventually found valdoxan is the one that works for me with the least alarming side effect profile. The first few weeks on any med are horrendous but it does get better if you can push through them.

[Twoweekcruise]

Actually, I am about to change gp's. I have been at my current surgery all of my life and used to have a fantastic gp, she understood my anxiety but she retired a few years back and the new gp's are just not the same. So maybe a change is needed.

[EezerGoode]

I think a good gp helps enormously.my doctors closeddown.was dreading a new dr...but he's fab..so understanding and actually listens..the last one I'd had for years and talked rather than listened

[Twoweekcruise]

Nouveau that's my problem I give up at the first hurdle!

[HeyBigSpender]

Finding a good GP was really important to me and I've felt really supported and listened to.

[HeyBigSpender]

Sorry posted before finished typing - so it's good you're trying to change GPS

[HeyBigSpender]

GPs!

[NouveauBitch]

I have the same issue Twoweekcruise but the two I have taken long term (sertraline and valdoxan) were much more manageable side effect wise from the start and the minor side effects wore off over time.

I agree with all the voices on here that finding a supportive GP is really helpful, I recently was allocated a new one and was worried he would be crap but he's been wonderful - and actually more compassionate and helpful than the dedicated MH team I see who are all bastards.

[Twoweekcruise]

Yes a good GP is worth their weight in gold. I will change and discuss the issues with them and maybe, give meds another go!?
So, are meds the only real way to get anxiety totally under control? I mean, I don't smoke, drink, I exercise and eat ok (ish) but am still consumed by this constant state of worry, panic and anxiety with ongoing physical symptoms as a result. Obviously, like us all I'm hoping there is a magic cure, a wand I can wave over my head and it all goes away but that not going to happen without me putting some effort in!

[Twoweekcruise]

And tbh sometimes I think that part of me (somewhere deep in my psyche) likes holding onto the anxiety, it's all I've known for such a long time, I'm scared to feel any different. A bit like the Stockholm syndrome for the brain!

[NouveauBitch]

I think mild anxiety can be controlled through mindfulness/exercise/whatever you do to help but if you're not at that point then you probably need the medication to help you do the work that will get you to that point.

Maybe think of a physical condition like eczema. Some milder cases can be controlled by diet or avoiding irritants, some need hardcore medication and direct treatment.

There still seems to be a consensus that medication for MH conditions is indulgent or unnecessary, but if you need them (and if you're not managing whilst not on them you do need them) then take them. You wouldn't try to manage asthma without inhalers, or short sight without glasses. It's not a case of trying harder/doing work in therapy - you need to get to the point where therapy can help.

[onadifferentplanet]

I am a bit older than you and have suffered with GAD for several years to a point of at times not being able to leave the house for weeks at a time. CBT worked to a certain extent but found it hard to sustain as I wasn't always able to attend. I was suffering from aching muscles and hot sweats too which I put down to the Menopause which was adding to the anxiety so I tried some supplements which contained Magnesium and this has helped my anxiety no end. An unexpected but very welcome side effect as well as reducing the other symptoms

[pascalpascal]

'I think mild anxiety can be controlled through mindfulness/exercise/whatever you do to help but if you're not at that point then you probably need the medication to help you do the work that will get you to that point.'

What NouveauBitch says is spot on. I find minfulness is very helpful. It is a life long thing though. You need to keep practicing regularly. There are a number of tecniques you can learn to help you in stressful situations you might come across during the day. It's not for everyone though. I would suggest you try a mixture of medication/meditation and see what combination works for you.