Has anyone found an alternative to ADs?

[CuriousMama]

I've come off citalopram again and am sick of feeling my body tense up and my breathing slow. It really affects my stress levels. I go dizzy and just don't feel well. I was on ADs for panic and have been on and off them for years. I'm not against them but I would like to try and do without, for as long as possible.

What's helped you? I'm thinking of trying yoga as have a dvd, Yoga for dummies. I did it a few times a while ago and it's easy to follow. Any tips on coping with tension would be appreciated

Wonderful thread

Exercise and chocolate

Now if you'd said exercise and crisps I'd be all for it

now that you mention it, crisps are good too

Especially posh ones. I like a family bag of those now and again.

CBT worked for me. I went into it very cynically but it was fucking excellent. It actually changed my life, far more than the few years of psychotherapy I'd already had (which was good, but still)

I'd recommend CBT to everyone. I really would.

It doesn't work for everyone though sadly. I'm going to give this book a try and maybe see if I can save up for some NLP sessions?

Very interesting.
I haver had CBT , but found it useless. Which I was very disappointed about , because it is seen as the 'solution to all problems' thesedays !!
I went to see my Gp yesterday and she too was none-the-wiser as to what to do next.
She has put me down for in-depth blood tests. But other than that, I am totally lost

Oblomov do you think you're getting the right vitamins/minerals etc.. Or even if you are could they be being depleted?

What are your symptoms?
Are you happy with your GP? Maybe there's on at the surgery who may be of more help?

Sorry, I see you've already tried it Well clearly it won't work for everyone - and I do still have various issues, still feel very depressed on and off etc.

I think I just have better coping strategies now iyswim? I learned a few tricks about handling it, I suppose. That was why it was useful. And I had a very, very good person doing it with me, maybe that makes a difference. I didn't do any of the exercises on paper but we talked through other stuff a lot.

Mama, no I am not sure that I am getting the right vitamins, that is why I find the suggestions of calcium & magnesium, very interesting.

I am diabetic, on an insulin pump, and my hospital specialist does not know what to do, to make things better, becasue we have tried all the norms.
I am tired all the time, and i have no sex drive. My GP tells me this is diabetes related.
I literally can't cope with my Aspergers ds1, who is very testing. and my boisterous ds2, who is testing in a different way.

Everyone keeps telling me I'm NOT depressed. But I tell you what, this quality of life, means I haven't enjoyed life for ...... 6 years?
I am a confident person, but I sure can't cope with life as it is.

Vitamin d deficiency is linked to depression - if you are deficient, the recommended level to take is 6000iu for 6 weeks then drop to 3000iu daily, particularly if you are in the at risk group (elderly, office workers, kids on computer all day, stuck indoors all day).

St johns wort has been shown in studies to be as effective as ads.

If stress and anxiety is at the root of it then there are lots of other nutrients that can help - but best to get cortisol output tested first to see what's going on via an adrenal stress index test to tailor supplement regime appropriately.

HTH

I'm glad it's helped you EdsRedeeming we need all the help we can get.

Oblomov If you're diabetic maybe talk to your specialist to see if you can take extra minerals/vitamins? I know what it's like having a child with SN, just had a call from CAHMs today to say ds2 isn't autistic. He is a lot easier nowadays mind you, never in and when he is he's no bother. But I've had some hard times day and night. It wears you out. How old is your ds1? Must be hard when ds2 is difficult too. And on top of that you have diabetes.

puffylovett thanks for that. I'm pretty sure my adrenal glands aren't working right. I doubt my GP would do any of those tests so would have to go private?

Yes you would need to get done privately, usually around £70 ish for a salivary swab test - which you may need to se a naturopath to get ordered. Although I think you can order them yourself from Genova labs uk?

Thanks for the info puffylovett.