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Original poster

PTSD/Depression/Panic & Anxiety ~ Any Alternative Therapies?

27 replies

QuootiepieTheChristmasAss · 27/12/2006 11:52

Just been thinking, while the NHS are getting their act together, if there are any alternative therapies that might help me? Not accupuncture though (needle phobia) unless it's very highly recommended. in which case i'd give anything a go!

Many Thanks! xXx

OP posts:
loopylopey · 27/12/2006 12:32

i was panicky and down after birth of DD1 am still am from time to time - i've nearly cut out all caffeine and am trying to go to massage every month... also do an hour of walking pram every day to get fresh air which clears my head. hope you're ok - just remember you're not alone!

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 18:47

reflexolgoy, meditation, anxiety management (which i start after christmas) you will need a referral from your GP, other than that i don't know.
good luck and let me know if you find something that helps. i too suffer with panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 18:49

Thanks... ill look into it

Caribbeanqueen · 28/12/2006 18:54

Reflexology helped me a lot with depression.

fiiiivemadmarchhaaaares · 28/12/2006 18:57

Cutting caffeine and alcohol helps me a lot.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 18:58

I rarely drink caffine and alchohol... but I do find caffine and sugar does make my anxiety worse sometimes... adds to the adrenalin.

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 18:59

the reflexology only helps me with the panic and anxiety. does nothing for the depression. Anti depressants help with that.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 18:59

reflexology - thats the feet thing isnt it?

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 19:00

yeah - its very relaxing.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 19:01

Might give it a go. Ill try anything!

CheeryGarciaFollowsTheStar · 28/12/2006 19:06

Did you order the book I recommended Quootie? It's good at explaining what PTSD is, and has some self-help exercises in it. There's also an audio CD available.

Breath control is good for helping with panic/anxiety (because there's a tendency to hold the breath when feeling panic, which just aggravates the panic) so basic relaxation classes or yoga (which helps develop awareness so you can spot the signs before they become too overwhelming) can be useful.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 19:07

I am so sorry, I really can't remember what book I have a memory like a seive

madamecasanova · 28/12/2006 19:16

Hi Quootie, I went right under with a severe panic disorder after the birth of my first daughter, 8 years ago. It's a long story but all sorts of things contributed to my illness and, while just talking about it really doesn't help, you do need to take a horribly brutal look inside at exactly what brings your attacks on...I ended up in the Charter Nightingale Clinic in London (on antipsychotic medication and everything) and ended up having a long course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which I would recommend to anyone, 'ill' or healthy! Read a book by Windy Dryden (yes, really!) called 10 Steps to Positive Living. I have also tried to support my body and mind holistically. Get out of the house when/if you want to, treat yourself with respect and so on...When you're in the middle of one/feel it coming on, stand up, if you can and stamp about, grounding yourself. Take a look around you and say out loud what you can see (sounds mad, but very very useful to me). I remember being in a taxi once and literally shouting about the trees outside!
I have been pretty much panic free for 4 years - you can do it!
Good luck. x

CheeryGarciaFollowsTheStar · 28/12/2006 19:36

dealing with PTSD book recommendation here

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 19:37

very good point mademasconova. i break out in a sweat whenever i am faced in a social situation that involves people staring at me. even if they are not staring, i think they are and still break out in sweats. i think i worry what people think of me. Anyway, instead of trying to hide the fact i am breaking out in a sweat i just say to everyone "look at me i am sweating, i must be going through the change or something" or "is it hot in here i am sweating" by just saying this to people it reduces my sweating. it is bizarre but true.

madamecasanova · 28/12/2006 19:41

Unfortunately, it is still the way of the trusty old GP to shove some antidepressants down you and tell you you'll feel better if you 'just relax'. My treatment was completely centered around dealing with what is going on in your head and addressing it, or choosing not to, but being totally honest with yourself. So much of my anxiety was about simply not wanting to be a married mother of 1 at the age of 21. All panic and anxiety is about control or lack of it and choosing to make (or not making) decisions that we simply find too tough.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 20:21

Thanks for the info - I did have CBT, or what I thought was CBT, but im not too sure now. The guy was a )(&(&(%(&%&()(&((%^$"$(£("$&)")"&$_"$&%(%("*(%&2 , clock watching and getting my name wrong, and doing the same thing each session saying we would do something else next session.... I can be quite good sometimes at thinking and talking myself out of my bad moments, but, sometimes it's impossible! Ill have a read of those books... Thanks xXx

Flowertop · 28/12/2006 20:31

Strawberrydream, I think you suffer from social phobia, which I have too. I shake when faced with a scary situation which involves people and me thinking they are looking at me. I have had this condition for about 23 years and has affected so many things over the years, even me thinking I would never be able to have children. Just wanted you to know that you are the first person who has described how I feel and have always wanted to know if anyone had this condition. I have been treated at the Maudsley Hospital in London over the years and they have been fantastic. I have never thought of trying reflexology, but you have made me think. Maybe give it a go.
XX

olivhohoho · 28/12/2006 20:33

Quootie - maybe give reiki a go? i had it in combination with reflexology for anxiety and mild depression - it worked for me
good luck.

QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 20:34

Whats reiki? Is it like head massage?

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 20:35

Flowertop - i have only felt this way since having kids. prior to that i was a very sociable person. it is very difficult for me as i attend college 3 times a week, and break out in a sweat as soon as i step foot in the classroom even though i feel comfortable in front on my fellow students. it is very frustrating.
any ideas how to cure this awful phobia?

mummytosteven · 28/12/2006 20:36

anything that relaxes you is bound to be a good thing, whatever floats your boat - swimming/yoga/gym etc. when I was mentally unwell during PG I found the birth breathing/relaxation classes really helpful.

lulumama · 28/12/2006 20:37
QuootiepieTheNewYearsAss · 28/12/2006 20:38

I have abit of social phobia... I used to be OK, now I can't go out alone, and it takes alot for me to even go out with DH! College was awful, I felt nervous every day for some reason.

strawberrydream · 28/12/2006 20:48

lulamama - was it the awful spelling and grammar that gave it away?