Post by: Nightfall on December 07, 2006, 05:54:50 PM
So any good home remedies or recommendations? Thanks guys and gals.
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2006, 06:05:59 PM
If you like, please email me at dbaker@wi.rr.com. There are personal questions I'd ask of you, ones that you may not want to answer on a public forum.
I'm here to give whatever help I can, if you want it.
Post by: wingnutx on December 07, 2006, 06:12:16 PM
Getting more exercise is a good long-term remedy.
Post by: meinbruder on December 07, 2006, 09:00:46 PM
Valerian root is supposed to be very soothing.
Getting more exercise is a good long-term remedy.
Getting more exercise is a good long-term remedy.
Yes, try Valerian root, the brand I used for years is called Natures Way; the dose per capsule is about 500mg. I was also taking St. John Wort, the dose per capsule should be about the same but Ive been off them for a while now. Anxiety and depression can be a self-feeding problem as well as a self-fulfilling problem; Im just staying afloat from both right now without the supplements. One capsule, three times a day.
Valerian root may cause a hangover, my wife complains about it but I dont feel anything remotely like her response to them. I also used it as an analgesic for back pain, two capsules at a time. It has been compared to eighteenth century valium, treat it like a drug until you know how your body will re-act to it.
}:)>
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 07, 2006, 10:58:59 PM
Post by: TarpleyG on December 08, 2006, 03:24:33 AM
Greg
Post by: Sindawe on December 08, 2006, 03:54:04 AM
Quote
You have a dog or cat??? It's amazing how much stress they can relieve...
Yea, until you awake in the middle of the night to snarling hissing three way cat fight between your legs as the cats work out who gets to sleep in that privileged spot.Another vote for valarian root. It became a standard item in my home apothecary cabinet while I was in the midst of my "Crazy Years" in the early 1990s. I'd brew a cup of strong tea with it, light a candle, put the first Enigma album on the CD player and turn out the lights.
Post by: Ron on December 08, 2006, 04:01:35 AM
When I am under stress or feeling a lot of anxiety I stop the partying completely.
These are the times when you need to have all your wits about you and when your character will be shown.
I do have some over the counter sleep aids I will use if I go more than two nights without good sleep.
My last bought of anxiety was helped by taking a week off and going on a back pack trip. Something about a week of worrying only about food, water and shelter to help put things in perspective.
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on December 08, 2006, 04:12:11 AM
Xanax isn't too bad either.
What state do you reside in?
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 08, 2006, 04:42:18 AM
Post by: Nightfall on December 08, 2006, 06:59:35 AM
I seem to be allergic to the Bible too, HTG, but I may even try that none-the-less! 
Quote
What state do you reside in?
VA.
Post by: Fly320s on December 08, 2006, 07:21:27 AM
If it is a specific problem, work on getting it resolved. In other words, treat the problem, not the symptom.
Post by: mfree on December 08, 2006, 07:29:19 AM
Post by: SpookyPistolero on December 08, 2006, 07:34:36 AM
If you've got the time, I finding reading a book full of ideas or themes that you care about to be a good way to handle things. Something hopeful, pleasant, etc. I like to re-read any off of my 'favorites' list (LOTR, Atlas Shrugged, Gates of Fire..). If I'm anxious and stressed I probably am hugely lacking in free time so this one doesn't really work very often.
Make finding new music a habit. I listen to a lot of ambient electronica, jazz, classical and gregorian chant. That last one is a big help.
I try to sample a lot of different kinds of teas. I found a Rooibos apple cider tea that's really great. I'm a believer in all the healthy benefits of anti-oxidants, etc.
Take up pipe smoking! Healthiest choice you can make! A thousand smooth, tasty blends to sample. Just sit and puff slowly. "Smoke your pipe and be silent; there's only wind and smoke in the world." I didn't appreciate how pleasant and soothing the process could be until I actually started doing it regularly.
If it's chronic anxiety, it's worth consulting your physician about some prescription solutions.
But just don't lay there in bed staring at the ceiling. Either sleep, or get up and do something.
Post by: Nightfall on December 08, 2006, 08:00:15 AM
Quote from: Fly320s
What's causing your anxiety?
If it is a specific problem, work on getting it resolved. In other words, treat the problem, not the symptom.
Something Ive always agreed with. Im certainly working to fix it, but I wont find out if I solved the problem for another week or so. So Im just trying to ease the anxiety how I can&If it is a specific problem, work on getting it resolved. In other words, treat the problem, not the symptom.
Quote from: SpookyPistolero
If it's chronic anxiety, it's worth consulting your physician about some prescription solutions.
&but I think this is primarily what I have to do. Not doing it before is a big reason I'm dealing with this now. I just finished with The Hobbit, and Im doing LOTR again, Spooky. Having something that keeps my mind from obsessing over problems that have been addressed helps. Id normally do that with studying, some coding, but my mind has been too much of a mess for real critical thinking work.
Post by: The Rabbi on December 08, 2006, 09:30:25 AM
Everyone will have his own remedy. I find some vigorous exercise, like fast walking, works pretty well. I have never tried Valerian. At the end of the day Valium has always worked for me but it is a time-limited thing.
Post by: DrAmazon on December 08, 2006, 10:30:11 AM
I got to being pretty non-functional at a point in my life where I needed to be absolutely on top of my game. The GPs at student health gave me Xanax to use at night just to get me through the month of my defense and I used it maybe 3 times after during my final re-writes. I was also given some anti-nausa drugs so I could get my strength up. (If you ever want to have fun, try going to a campus health center as a 20-something female with AM nausea and get any diagnosis besides pregnant).
Here and there I'll have isolated incidents of it. I had a bad stretch when my marriage was falling apart and lost about 30 pounds that I didn't need to loose (not pretty). That one also lasted about a month and ended when I became resolute in my decision that I had to leave.
When I feel it coming on I eliminate all caffeine and try relaxation techniques. The "tension tamer" tea has valerian in it, and it does work (The funny smell is valeric or pentanoic acid, also found in stinging nettles). Exercise during the day is good, but at night or once you're all wound up a slow walk may do you more good. The slow pace can help to get your mind to slow down. I also find that getting out of bed and taking a hot shower seemed to break whatever circles the brain was running around in.
Post by: Standing Wolf on December 08, 2006, 04:29:59 PM
Post by: Waitone on December 08, 2006, 05:18:42 PM
A fine single malt scotch
A fine 1 hour cigar.
A pool of sunshine
Anxiety is caused by worrying about things over which you have no control. While you are in the sunshine sipping scotch and smoking a cigar try to list the stuff in your life you are trying to control. Amazingly effective in identifying the source of anxiety.
Post by: 280plus on December 08, 2006, 05:43:32 PM
Post by: Cosmoline on December 08, 2006, 05:44:13 PM
Hot mustard baths.
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 08, 2006, 05:52:58 PM
I'm very glad that none of you have, because I wouldn't wish one on anybody but my worst enemies.
You don't get rid of them by jogging, or going shooting, or smoking a cigar.
I can't explain panic attacks to anyone who hasn't had one. Trust me, though, it's a living Hell.
Post by: Winston Smith on December 08, 2006, 07:33:26 PM
Post by: Sylvilagus Aquaticus on December 08, 2006, 08:27:19 PM
Get a cat, too. I've got one laying across my lap, nearly on top of the keyboard trying to create typos.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Post by: 280plus on December 09, 2006, 12:23:47 AM
Post by: Bogie on December 09, 2006, 05:16:36 PM
Pick a small part of the problem. Fix it. Pick another small part. Fix that. Repeat as needed.
Post by: Felonious Monk/Fignozzle on December 09, 2006, 07:52:10 PM
Dad always said (despite his usual lack of depth):
Yard by yard, Life is Hard.
Inch by Inch, it's a cinch.
Or, put another way:
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.
Post by: Dannyboy on December 09, 2006, 08:00:37 PM
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 09, 2006, 08:36:17 PM
Let me outline my personal definitions, and others can modify them as they like.
Stress: there's too much work to get done in the time allotted; money is just about gone, and bills are due; or any other situation that raises blood pressure.
Anxiety: the meeting/job tomorrow is either going to make or break my career; the job interview is tomorrow, and I really need this job; etc.
Anxiety attack: rapid breathing and heart rate; sweating; feeling like you're either going insane, having a heart attack, or are going to die; inability to focus on the task/conversation at hand; wishing that you could leave whatever place you're in and just get to someplace where you think you'll feel comfortable.
Panic attack: when the anxiety attack comes on quickly, and is much more intense than an anxiety attack; may actually be physically debilitating.
I've had all of the above. I've had anxiety attacks so bad that my wife could actually hear the bed rattling on the floor. Panic attacks so bad that I had to pull to the side of the road because I couldn't drive. (A few months ago, a woman here in the MKE area had a panic attack, and drove off the road into Lake Michigan, with her kids in the car).
Those are my loosely-defined terms. Just trying to make sure that we all understand what each other is talking about.
Post by: 280plus on December 10, 2006, 02:55:53 AM
and this: http://www.anxietypanic.com/
I'm sure there's more. Type in anxiety and panic and look around.
Post by: The Rabbi on December 10, 2006, 03:35:54 AM
It would seem that none of the posters so far have ever experienced real panic attacks, except Nightfall and me.
I'm very glad that none of you have, because I wouldn't wish one on anybody but my worst enemies.
You don't get rid of them by jogging, or going shooting, or smoking a cigar.
I can't explain panic attacks to anyone who hasn't had one. Trust me, though, it's a living Hell.
I'm very glad that none of you have, because I wouldn't wish one on anybody but my worst enemies.
You don't get rid of them by jogging, or going shooting, or smoking a cigar.
I can't explain panic attacks to anyone who hasn't had one. Trust me, though, it's a living Hell.
Ooh, let's play "my experience is worse than your experience."
I think plenty of us have experienced everything from unease to anxiety to full blown panic attacks that disable the person. And all the remedies suggested will deal with that range as well.
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 10, 2006, 04:34:34 AM
Panic attacks? It helps to shoot back, and keep hoping that training sets in... Then run like hell.
Pick a small part of the problem. Fix it. Pick another small part. Fix that. Repeat as needed.
Pick a small part of the problem. Fix it. Pick another small part. Fix that. Repeat as needed.
Damn fine advice. Don't tackle it all at once. Fix what can be fixed one piece at a time.
Post by: ...has left the building. on December 10, 2006, 06:43:06 AM
Another thing could be to get a dog that is from an extremely loyal breed. It is hard to have any kind of anxiety when you're playing fetch or 'rassling with your doggie after work.
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 10, 2006, 01:08:53 PM
Rabbi, that's a cheap shot, especially coming from someone as respected as you are.
But, if you believe that anxiety attacks and panic attacks can be treated with exercise or fine cigars or whatever, that's fine with me.
Post by: The Rabbi on December 10, 2006, 01:49:12 PM
"Ooh, let's play "my experience is worse than your experience."
Rabbi, that's a cheap shot, especially coming from someone as respected as you are.
But, if you believe that anxiety attacks and panic attacks can be treated with exercise or fine cigars or whatever, that's fine with me.
Rabbi, that's a cheap shot, especially coming from someone as respected as you are.
But, if you believe that anxiety attacks and panic attacks can be treated with exercise or fine cigars or whatever, that's fine with me.
Sorry, Dick. You're right. You're the only one to have experienced anxiety and panic attacks. No, exercise never helped anyone deal with anxiety. All the suggestions made here are reflective of ignorance rather than knowledge, which uniquely resides with you. My humble apologies.
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 10, 2006, 02:05:34 PM
Am I the only person who's had anxiety attacks and panic attacks? Absolutely not.
I have no way of knowing what you or others on this forum have experienced in terms of attacks, as I have no way of "seeing" into someone's mind. What you or others have experienced may be the same as what I have, or maybe not. There's no way to know.
So, let me rephrase my previous statements: there is no way that exercise or a fine cigar or anything of that nature would have helped my problem with panic attacks. Of that I'm sure. For others, exercise or cigars or shooting or whatever may be a solution.
I hope that rephrasing is satisfactory to you. If not, then I hope you'll agree that you and I are simply in disagreement, and leave it at that.
This thread, after all, is about Nightfall's problem. Not yours or mine.
Post by: Winston Smith on December 10, 2006, 02:16:10 PM
Let's focus on helping.
Post by: LAK on December 12, 2006, 01:29:44 AM
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