Hi Kant63 --
Anxiety disorder runs in my family. I took several medications, but nothing ever helped much until a Dr. prescribed xanax for me. xanax is the best medication i've found for my anxiety disorder, panic and anxiety attacks. I've been taking them since the 70's, and i have never abused them, only took what my Dr. prescribed.They are habit forming.
Xanax can be the worst medicine in the world if you abuse it as it is very addictive and they tell me that some people abuse them to get high. I am 75 years old, and never have abused any drug, and here nearly 40 years later i still take only 5 mg. when i go to bed at night so i can calm down and relax and get a good nights sleep.
If you ever want to get off xanax, do not go cold turkey. Gradually start cutting back the dosage over 1-3 months i would say.
My daughter and my son has the same thing. My son is a minister and refused to take anything that was habit forming, so he did research and he was told by a Dr. to take Passionflower. You can get it in liquid form with a dropper. It's a nateral herb,
and since my son does not take prescription meds of any kind HE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT INTERACTIONS WITH ANY DRUG. I have to take thyroid meds, BP meds, pain meds and xanax, so i am being very careful about interactions.
I am taking it very slow on passionflower, but it does seem to help stop anxiety attacts in it's tracks. MY SON IS WELL PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF THIS HERB, AND SO FAR IT HAS NOT HURT ME.Although i don't take near as much as my son does. So it would be a good idea to talk to your Dr first, tho i did not myself.
My daughter used to be that she would not go out of the house, especially alone.
Xanax was also helpful to her. She has since quit it as her attacks are better.
The xanax does not increase my blood pressure, in fact it helps lower it.
If taken as directed i think it is the best thing i've found for anxiety disorder.
But i agree with my son that natural is always better if you know what to take.
This was from the advice of a very famous Dr. that told him to try passionflower.
So this is our experiences, and you can decide for yourself what is best for you.
Good luck and i hope this helps you.....
Pearlpearl
Please go to our Agoraphobia Forum. The folks there will have a lot of support and excellent advice for you.
You CAN beat this.
I wish you the very best
Peace
Greenlydia
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in places where help might not be available. It usually involves fear of crowds, bridges, or of being outside alone.
Symptoms -
•Anxiety or panic attack (acute severe anxiety)
•Becoming housebound for prolonged periods of time
•Dependence on others
•Fear of being alone
•Fear of being in places where escape might be difficult
•Fear of losing control in a public place
•Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
•Feelings of helplessness
•Feeling that the body is unreal
•Feeling that the environment is unreal
•Unusual temper or agitation with trembling or twitching
See your doctor! Good luck.