One of my most challenging symptoms is anxiety! I’d like to avoid taking anti-depressants, but there may be some remedies that have worked for others. Can you share your experiences?
- Sandra
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Sheila6 years ago
Hi Sandra, have you tried yoga? I've found doing any sort of movement (walking, working out, yoga) to be a sure-fire way to reduce anxious feelings for me. I've never been a yoga person myself but I recently started following some videos on youtube because I've felt my anxiety getting worse after covid and I couldn't do my usual exercise routine. I've only been doing it a few days but i find the breath work involved in yoga to be quite calming. Hope this helps
Sandra6 years ago
Thank you so much. I have tried numerous herbal remedies, HRT and I took up running for the first time 2 years ago. The herbal remedies and HRT didn’t make a difference, but running does help. It’s difficult to get out there sometimes, as anxiety saps your energy. It’s not always high, sometimes it’s just an anxious feeling, which is so frustrating because I can know it has no logic or substance, yet it’s there. I’ve tried yoga a few times, but I’ve not quite had that same feeling of relief. I’m probably trying to hard to get it right. I’m still trying to get into the position when their moving on! Lol My sense of humour is still here, thank goodness. Sometimes, I just have to laugh at the sense of unrealness of it all! It’s not always easy to do though. I’ve gained weight recently and that was getting me down. I eat very healthy, but haven’t been moving so much, despite the running. I’ve made a couple of adjustments with the diet, reducing fats, eating more vegetables and fruit during the day, rather than a standard lunch. I do feel better in myself for it. I’m might try yoga again. There’s a few things I need to get consistent with. Thank you!!
Anonymousreplying to Sandra5 years ago
I’m a yoga teacher. You both might find restorative yoga helpful. ???
Anonymousreplying to Anonymous4 years ago
Could you recommend a 15 minute or so You Tube yoga session I can do from home for anxiety?! Please and thank you! :)
Anonymousreplying to Anonymous2 years ago
I just search for “Yoga for Anxiety” and many options come up. I like Yoga by Adrienne! She’s got lots of videos. Good luck! I found that it helped me immensely.
Elle6 years ago
Sandra I can relate as I've also struggled with anxiety and tried to manage with both medication and other ways - even read books about it. Have you pinpointed what causes you anxiety on a daily basis (work stress, family, etc.)? Becoming more aware of where my anxiety comes from was my first step in learning to manage it
Sandra6 years ago
Hi Elle Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, I do know that much of the anxiety comes from the fact that I am a Consultant and there has been no work. So I do have a lot of worries. It’s what could be described as the perfect storm. I think the worry leads to insomnia, tiredness leads to doubts and the anxiety leads to the good old brain fog! I am job hunting as I need the security, but that’s giving me so much anxiety too. Processes are long and slow in my field, sometimes 2-3 months long and I have found it hard to maintain feeling uplifted and energised throughout and even harder to get back up, dust myself off and try again. Your reply has made me think. It does make more sense why non of the remedies I’ve tried have actually worked. I don’t know if I’ll feel myself until I have a sense of security back in my life. But, thank you so much!! It has helped.
Fionareplying to Sandra6 years ago
Dear Sandra, I can empathise completely as my work too has been impacted and I've found it hard to stay hopeful and optimistic at times not knowing what's to come. These are troubling times and my normal worries and anxiety (already heightened by menopause) are compounded, as they may be for you too. Your comment above makes me wonder if journaling or mindfulness may work for you if you haven't already tried it. I don't do it as regularly as i probably should, but it does help give me a sense of control when I feel things are getting out of hand. It doesn't change my circumstances but my reaction to them and that can be powerful in and of itself
Sandrareplying to Fiona6 years ago
Thanks again Fiona!! Yes I do that too, but again no routines really. A bit haphazard!! It’s a great suggestion as you can literally feel the shift as you continue to write. It can start off a little fiery (lol), but while you’re getting out the frustrations it does bring me to a place of peace and sometimes even a logical solution. I’ll need to just jot down a few tools, because I do have them and posting this and responding to all your helpful replies has made me realise, I do have a number of things that help. Being more deliberate about using them would make me feel in better control of my emotional wellbeing. A bit of a ‘when anxious...do this....’ list. ? Thank you!!
FC6 years ago
I tried for the first 2 and a half years to ease my symptoms with natural remedies but I was never one to take any kind of medication regularly. My symptoms worsened though and that was when I decided to explore the use of HRT. It helped considerably but I still struggled with anxiety and stress especially when my two daughters 13 and 10 years old bicker and argue. Nothing out of the ordinary, just normal teen and preteen bickering but it would send my stress levels rocketing. It exhausted me plus I shouted a lot. When I had my HRT review with my doctor I told her that my stress and anxiety levels were heightened and that functioning at that level drained me. She then prescribed a 10mg antidepressant, Citalopram. It is helping me tremendously. Subsequently I discovered that 2 close friends are on the same antidepressant (not for menopausal reasons) and they highly recommended it. Besides using contraception before I had kids (had a non hormonal coil after my first child) I have never been on any medication. I’m 45 and 5 years peri-menopausal. 1 Year on a specific HRT (tried about 3 different ones) and 3 months on the antidepressant. Running was my thing but I think I lost my motivation when my peri-menopause started. I have lost the drive I used to have for running. I still run though but I don’t love it as much as I used to. I love walking and would walk 5k, 7k or 9km home from work but since the lockdown it has not been possible. Wishing you all the best in finding what works for you x
Sandra6 years ago
Hi FC Thank you so much. You describe what I have been experiencing. My reaction to conflicts between my boys or their conflicts with others, (like you, just normal day to day disagreements) was a feeling of fear and frustration. The littlest argument was just so exhausting and had me wanting to run for the hills. That seems to be a bit better now, but I’m still very capable of being a bit wired by it. Listening to conflicts does that to me too. There’s been plenty doses of that around us too. I have tried HRT, but apart from increasing the dose, my Dr only prescribed the same one. I do have the Marina coil fitted which has progesterone. I was also prescribed anti-depressants in December and really didn’t experience any difference from that. Though it wasn’t the same as what you have had prescribed. I decided not to carry on with that. I have made an appointment to have the coil taken out. It’s been 5 years. Due to Covid-19, I’m on a waiting list for that. I’ve just had enough of trying different things to be honest. So, I’ve decided to clear the decks, so to speak and start again. I’m 50, almost 51. I took up running 2 years ago by doing the Couch to 5K programme, C25K! It was an amazing experience. I had never run before, not even in high school, even though I loved sport, that’s something I deliberately dodged. I still run too. Very few long distance runs though. I do 5k occasionally. My motivation to get out there isn’t great at the moment as there’s been so many challenges in doing that safely. I like parks and quiet places to run, but I do still find it and go out a couple of times a week. Thank you for sharing what has worked for you!! I wish you much happiness and wellbeing.
Sharon Stone6 years ago
Cbd oil, but recently having had a hysterectomy 5 months ago and covid19 circumstances my anxiety has gone way beyond anything cbd oil can help
Mrs B6 years ago
I’m really struggling with anxiety at the moment and feel unable to manage it. I’ve been shielding so the isolation has been pretty tough and my world has become very small. I have a great family so I am very lucky But I haven’t been able to talk about it. I would appreciate any advise on how to manage it.
Kimberly6 years ago
Mrs B You are not alone. I got this app on my phone. It is called Calm. It is amazing. There is a category for anxiety. Try the 7 days of calming anxiety. It will really help you. Let me know how you like it
Fed up6 years ago
Funnily enough the pandemic has helped my General and health anxietIes. . Im working from home so dont have to go somewhere that made my anxiety worse and am in less contact with people that had a huge effect on my wellbeing. My work/life balance is better and im able to eat healthier and have lost weight. I have had to deal with my panic attacks on my own as i live alone. Initially i was very anxious as health related things are One of my triggers. Random physical feelings or pains etc and so a pandemic was very scary and being alone when this happens always made ut worse. Especially as i am in the vulnerable group. However having to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks on my own rather than one of my my children or friends popping in when im bad has forced me to deal with them alone and i am noticing a difference. I have tried antidepressants for anxiety but didn't like how they made me feel so do not use anything. I was determined that i would use this forced alone time to my advantage and decided to do an online course. Im already a qualified complementary therapist although that isn't what i do as my day job but therapy of all types is if interest to me. I decided to learn meridian psychotherapy and have found that whilst learning this and practising the technique i have been able to help myself.
Gina6 years ago
Exercise and CBD oil have helped me tremendously, as well as super clean eating and limited caffeine.
Anonymous6 years ago
CBD oil is amazing. But make sure you take a very high quality oil and 1000 mg a day only 3 percent of thc. Also meditation everyday keeps you grounded
Imogen6 years ago
I stopped drinking coffee. I realised it was making me jittery. Switching to black tea has really helped.
Elsa4 years ago
I gave up caffeine altogether, as it was triggering vertigo and didn’t help my persistent insomnia. I now drink herbal or decaf teas instead.
Kimberly6 years ago
I have struggled with anxiety my whole life but more challenging during Peri menopause. I have found CBD oil , meditation,acupuncture and exercise has helped me I am so glad to hear I am not alone in this problem.
Michele6 years ago
HRT! Absolutely no doubt about this, within 3 days i was feeling better
Jo6 years ago
I am in peri menopause and age 40 but have been suffering for the last 5 years with things getting progressively worse. I used a combination of herbal tablets, exercise and diet to manage my anxiety until this stopped working then I hesitantly went to the doctor and after a couple of trials I started taking anti depressants. A very low dose but made all the difference. There has been another shift now in my hormones and lots of other symptoms are appearing as well as another change in my cycle. Anxiety is my most hated symptom though and whilst I have a stressful job I find that it is worse when I am not busy, more time to think I guess. My plan is to try some different exercise (I am not a massive fan of exercise but it does help) meditation, Pilates that sort of thing and hope I can manage it. I wish menopause would just happen now as this is hard going
Maggie6 years ago
Hi my anxiety started about my two teenage girls. I couldn’t come to terms with them being out in he world for themselves with things like learning to drive and going out drinking and all that comes with that. I couldn’t protect them and it absolutely terrified me and I just sucked the joy out of all their adventures advising them of all the dangers they could face. One day I was watching the TV and saw an advert for glasses and I burst into tears and became utterly terrified because I thought omg what if one of them looses their eye ? it was that bad. So I had to do something. I went to a psychologist and did some one to one CBT. Talking about it to someone who understood what my mind was doing and why and getting strategies like stopping in the midst of an anxious thought and saying to myself “ It’s a thought not a fact” helped me. She gave me lots of strategies to help. I was overestimating the risk of something terrible happening and underestimating my ability to cope if something bad did happen. It’s so simple but when someone points it out it makes sense. She also encouraged me to distract myself with hobbies and give myself “me” time so I have started to teach myself watercolours with online tutorials and have booked local courses for when they are back on. I did a course on using my sewing machine at college and have booked another. I am really enjoying creating something- it gives me a great sense of achievement. I am also joining a Pilates group when it’s back on. I joined the choir at work. I read fantasy books to go immerse myself into another world. All this has helped enormously. My family has noticed an big improvement. So there is help out there that is not medication. I would advise getting referred by your doc to a psychologist. I was lucky and could self refer with private healthcare at work. Good luck !
Jolantru5 years ago
Just started taking ashwaghanda, I will update in a couple of weeks on how I feel, any improvement would be good even if it is a placebo effect ?
MC5 years ago
A good therapist. Honestly I don’t know why I waited so long to see one. Too many people hold a stigma about therapy but it helps to have someone help you refocus your racing thoughts and worries! Other things that helped me: running, yoga, CBD oil, hot baths, stretching focused on hips and psoas muscles, reading and, when things got really bad, I took “half of a half” tablet of Xanax. I didn’t want the medication either but when anxiety started interfering with work and daily tasks I learned it was necessary (I had learn that it’s ok to need it!). I used Xanax for 2-3 years and can say that it was worth getting me through those really hard times. I no longer need it but glad it was a “tool” in my toolbox to treat anxiety.
Anonymous4 years ago
I draw, and listen to loud music and dance outside! I like to just go with the flow. Try some medicine. Try talking to someone. I talk to a therapist and it helps me get insights of who I am and ways to manage anxiety.
Anonymous4 years ago
I have Tried Everything and Nothing has worked. I’ve tried Prescriptions, over the counter , and Natural. Any Suggestions would be Appreciated. Thanks ?
Lina4 years ago
My anxiety is through the roof. I’m pretty sure it’s a combo of perimenopause, the pandemic, war, and struggling with long COVID. I’ve been trying to come off of clonazepam which I’ve been on for well over ten yrs. Trying to cut down on that during this time, has frankly, been a nightmare. I’ve asked for psych intervention and the Dr is backed up. I even went to the ER and they declined me a psych evaluation. Im exercising and eating well. Meditating, yoga, HeartMath. However, I’m hesitant to put any medications or natural substances in my system because I have adverse reactions. I recently moved to a new state and feel very much alone and scared. I will take any advice or encouragement. It’s very much needed. Thank you.
Jo4 years ago
I checked the HeartMath book out of the library, thanks! Yes i have been to the ER too but they sent me home with the all clear, i was worried i’d had a stroke the panic attacks were so intense. It’s so frustrating! You are not alone. I have been using some apps like Headspace, Calm and recently a cognitive behavioral app Bloom to deal with anxiety. Thank you.
Anonymous4 years ago
I just got the HeatMath book ?, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Also downloaded Bloom today , appreciates Jo,s recommendation to you . Beli
Lisa4 years ago
I have found short daily mindfulness sessions have helped. Was sceptical at first but use the Calm app and it’s like mini therapy sessions each day. Also a monthly counselling session which just helps me to rationalise things. It really helps to track and write things down as there are times it’s worse, I guess around what would have been period time (in those months you feel pre-menstrual and nothing happens). It’s hard not to get stuck in a negative headspace and the mindfulness helps with that and not making big decisions at those time of highest anxiety/emotion. I force myself to go out when I don’t feel “in the mood” and am an active person anyway, but it does help. Equally so does cutting myself some slack and watching movies all Sunday if that’s what I feel like. I have stopped over planning weekends as commitments can make the anxiety worse, so taking it as it comes, cutting ourselves some slack, keeping active and seeing friends but maybe on a less commital level and taking the few minutes a day for a calm session have all really helped me. I have just stopped my HRT so I can assess where I am at and actually thjnk maybe my mood is better. So not sure how much impact the HRT has.
Anonymous4 years ago
Dear Sandra , I have general anxiety since many years ago, with ups and downs and the periods that I do not have anxiety, are those that I focus on personal goals. Examples: arranging a get away or get together with friends , feeling loved and cared for …this and disconnecting from toxic people or those relations that do not contribute to my wellbeing. I will never wish these people bad , just I am careful with my selections. Hope this helps . Beli
Taia4 years ago
My husband has introduced microdosing shrooms to me and it’s been very helpful to me with anxiety and depression, and it’s not doing enough to make myself trip,and I’m very much hoping for the medical industry to start paying attention to everything that actually helps people.
Brigitte3 years ago
High estrogen was triggering my anxiety and panic. I started taking DIM to reduce estrogen and also B vitamins. Both have helped. If I start to panic, deep breathing and silence help. I also have emergency diazepam. I only take 1.25-2.5 mg if absolutely necessary.
Michele1 year ago
I’m working with a naturopathic doctor and there is a surprising correlation between anxiety and blood sugar regulation. I would delve into insulin’s resistance info online. I used a continuous glucose monitor for a bit and I found I was having blood sugar dips often coinciding with anxious episodes.