Hello Chrit,
The Use of Natural Supplements
There are two classes of such substances.
Natural tranquilizers- include herbs such as kava, valerian, passionflower, chamomile, as well as amino acid GABA.
Natural antidepressants- which can have an anxiety-reducing effect as well, include the herb St. Johns wort, S-adenosyl-methionine (abbreviated as SAM-e), and the amino acids tryptohan, tryosine, and DL-phenylalanine (abbreviated as DLPA). You may find any of these supplements at your local food store or drug store. Any one or a combination of them may be quite helpful as an alternative to prescription drugs in treating your problem with anxiety or depression. The key consideration in deciding to try natural supplements is whether you consider your anxiety problem to be in the mild to moderate range of severity. If anxiety is more of anuisance- a discomfort or incovenience in your life- and not a debilitating or highly distressing condition, I suggest you consider natural supplements first before consulting with a psychiatrist about prescription drugs. If you are already taking an SSRI antidepressant or BZ tranquilizer,
do not try natural supplements without first consulting with a doctor about combining prescription medications with supplements.
I hope this is of some help to you. In researching my book on natural remedies I came across this for you;
Supplements for Anxiety
B Vitamins* and Vitamin C
It is widely known that during times of stress your body tends to rapidly deplete stores of B Vitamins and Vitamin C. Many find that taking both of these vitamins made a noticable difference in their energy level and resiliency to stress. The B vitamins are necessary to help maintain the proper functioning of the nervous system. Deficiencies especially of vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12 can lead to anxiety, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, and even emotional instability. It's best to take all eleven of the B vitamins together in a B-complex supplement, since they tend to work together synergistically. Vitamin C is well known for enhancing the immune system and promoting healing from infection, diesease, and injury. Less well known is the fact vitamin C helps to support th adrenal glands, whose proper functioning is neccessary to your ablility to cope with stress. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) also supports the adrenal glands, and many find that it is helpful in dealing with excess stress. (A high dose-such as 1,000 mg- of B5 actually has a calming effect for many individuals.)
Suggested doses in the book are as follows:
*B-complex: 50-100 mg of all 11 B vitamins once a day (twice a day under high stress)
*Vitamin C: 1,000 mg in a time-release form, twice a day (double this dose under high stress). Vitamin C in combination with bioflavanoids is preferred.
When under unusual stress, it is also a good idea to take extra B5 (pantothenic acid). Up to 1,000 mg in a time-release form may be needed to help mitigate the effects of pronounced anxiety and stress.
Please note that it is not possible to overdose on B vitamins, since they are water soluble. The one exception to this is vitamin B6. It is important not to exceed 100mg/day if you're taking B6 on a long-term basis. (Higher doses of B6 may be taken on a short-term basis to relieve premenstrual symptoms, however.) High daily doses of Vitamin C are generally harmless and a good hedge against infections and colds. However, repeated daily doses in excess of 8,000 mg/day have been associated with stomach complaints and even kidney stones in some people.
It's important that you take B vitamins, vitamin C, and other vitamins with meals. Stomach acids and enzymes produced while digesting food are necessary to help break down and assimilate vitamins. Do not take vitamins on an empty stomach (with the exception of amino acids). Capsule forms of vitamins are probably easier on the stomach than tablets.
I recommend the book (Kava: Nature's Answer to Stress, Anxiety & Insomnia) by Hyla Cass and Terrence McNally.
I hope you find a solution in our workbook (Lesson 10) to stop the scary thoughts you've been having Chrit, I hope some of this helps answer your question, keep in touch.
Your friend,
Dee
