What to take for anxiety?

[Spainintherain]

Is there anything anyone can advise that I can take that helps with severe anxiety? Life is extremely stressful and will be for a long while and I really need to try something to help. Either prescribed medicines (that help you sleep too) or alternative. Thank you

I take saint jon worts for mine, been on them for over 3 years now and they are really good.

DD is on Fluoxetine (prescribed)

Any of the SSRIs will help with the anxiety. (That’s selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The one you are likely to have heard about is Prozac generically called Fluoxetine. It takes quite some time before it reaches levels at which it works, often a month to six weeks then you notice you are back in control. Once you feel you can cope you reduce it very gradually over the same period. I was on it for a couple of years after my husband died. It gave me back my life.

Re St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), please be aware that it can have significant side-effects (www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/st-johns-wort/side-effects-and-withdrawal/) and potentially dangerous interactions with some other medications (bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction/st-johns-wort-2.html#bnf_i1633485680319). It's very important that you let your doctor and pharmacist know you're taking it when they're prescribing/dispensing any new medications for you.

I take propranolol to help with the physical signs of anxiety - palpitations etc.
Citalopram to help with the anxiety itself.

Also Bach Rescue Remedy.

CBT can help as a longer term solution but I'm not sure what the waiting times are on the NHS, you may have to go private nowadays.

Citalopram. It’s changed my life.

Citalopram for me. It’s been a game changer.

Citalopram here too. I was on it for 3 years or so and wouldn't hesitate to take it again if I needed to. It totally took the edge off all of the stress and angst I was feeling and I was much better equipped to deal with 2 young DC as they were then!
My teen daughter is currently experiencing some MH issues and anxiety is at the heart of it. She is on sertraline. Again. It has been a life changer for her.

Fluoxetine made my anxiety worse- I know it works differently for everyone but it isn’t something I would recommend for anxiety from my personal experience.

Also citalopram, I've tried most SSRIs but I won't change again unless it stops working, it's definitely been my favourite. I feel functional again. I was also taking propranolol for the physical symptoms but had to stop as I'm pregnant and it's not safe, the citalopram is safe though.

I have tried citalopram and it gave me headaches and didn't help me sleep. I'm anxious all the time and nights are word when I wake in the night and can't get back to sleep

Worst not word

I'm a big advocate for CBD. I find that it helps settle my anxiety quite nicely, not that it completely goes away, but it makes it a lot more manageable. It doesn't work for everyone, but I'd always say it's worth trying something natural before moving down the medication route.

I have tried cbd oil at 3000mg dose and it did nothing. I have ordered some 600g dose and will see but it's so expensive . I have a v stressful life and think I do need meds. I'm scared of the link to Alzheimer's from anti depressants

Have you tried counselling?

What is causing the stress? (be vague if you prefer).

So many big problems in my family, and my child suffering at school

OK. Can you solve any of the problems? Would counselling help you to help your child?

Meds may well stick a plaster on the issue but they won't deal with the underlying cause. It might be that a plaster is what is needed at the moment, to get through a stressful but defined period of time. If there's no realistic end in sight then coping strategies via counselling would be more appropriate (possibly in conjunction with meds).

Beta blockers? Propranolol helps with my anxiety attacks.
My DD read butterfly pea tea helps too

Meditation
Yoga
Lavender under the pillow to sleep
Incense in the evenings
No screens two hours before bed
Write down your anxiety's and then burn them - OUTSIDE
warm bath before bed if you have one if not gym membership and sauna and jacuzzi as much as possible
Get a new hobby even if it's something like stamp collecting
Get some lush skin creams and hair things and use them maybe even a face cleaners machine
Hand held massager
Foot spa
Read a book
Take up an instrument
Make a new friend
Get a pet - a cat or a Budgie of a dog is too much
Eat healthy as possible
Drink water all the time
Cut of caffeine
Don't watch sad movies or the news if it depresses you

Thank you all so much.