SAMe Does it work for Anxiety too? I don't think I'm depressed

[atlcharm]

Okay I ordered SAMe because I didn’t think my situation warranted going to a doctor and I wanted something natural not some chemical that would cause horrible side effects. I ordered it because I believe I suffer from a mild form of social anxiety. Public speaking, being put on the spot, trying new things (especially in large groups) terrify me. I just get really nervous.

I made the mistake of putting depression and anxiety into the same category. I realize they are two different things although both can occur at the same time in one person. I really don’t think I have depression. If I do then I have a very mild form. The only thing that would indicate depression is I sleep a lot. I am always tired. But I think that has more to do with me being a night owl, hating my job so not wanting to go to sleep, being tired from stress and also being bored (when I am bored I sleep).

Anyway, for the last 3 months I have been taking 400mg of SAMe once a day. When I first started taking them I thought I felt better but I think that was just the placebo effect as I am really noticing no difference in my social anxiety now and boy am I tired. I’m more tired than usual. Not sure if it is the SAMe, lack of exercise, or the antiobiotic that I am using for me skin (only temporarily).

Anyhow, I was thinking of upping my dose but decided to come here and get opinions first. SAMe is really expensive so I don’t want to up my dose and flush money down the drain if it is not going to work. As a matter of fact, all of my google searches turn up nothing on SAMe helping anxiety but I get a lot of hits on depression. So basically, maybe SAMe is not indicated for my situation. As a matter of fact I read that if you take too much SAMe it can cause mania and anxiety.

So all of that to say has anyone here used it for anxiety? Is it indicated for depression only or does it help with anxiety as well? Will upping the dose possibly help? I am already diligently taking 400mg per day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[compnet]

Have a look into magnesium and the B Vitamin Complex.  These are wonderful helpers for stress, anxiety, etc.

[Paxiled]

Well, big deal -- looks like the only comment you received, at least on here!

[atlcharm]

Most helpful comment I received.  thank you!!!

[Paxiled]

It's for depression, not anxiety.  Now, if your anxiety is caused by depression, it might help, but if not, it's not the right remedy.  It's also seldom going to be the case with natural medicine that one remedy will work.  It usually takes a combination of remedies targeting the integrated biology of the body to work.  For anxiety, for example, if you were to see a naturopath, he or she would probably deal with your adrenals, find something that directly affects GABA, and possibly go after serotonin with 5-HTP.  SAMe would only be appropriate for depression.  Same with St. John's Wort.  Substances more often used for anxiety are taurine, passionflower, kava, valerian, eleuthero, ashwagandha, and 5-HTP.  Try reading a book called Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA, for an overview, and it might be a good idea to see a naturopath or practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine or someone like that.  They will also discuss diet, sleep, meditation, exercise, and therapy with you, as they heal holistically, meaning treating the whole body, not just one symptom.  Doesn't mean it'll work, but if you want to do it, do it right.