Has anyone successfully treated severe anxiety without any prescription medications?

Hello, has anyone out there have successfully and completely been able to beat anxiety without the help of antidepressants? Is it really just a learned behavior? If it is, how could I have it 24/7 without even thinking about it? Would someone share their story with me?

Answers:
When I first started having anxiety attacks I had them all the time I was super terrified i was going nuts. it was such a shock and I felt vulnerable, i had lost my life it seemed. Doctors prescribed meds and i wouldnt take them and after a year of bad times i started reading about anxiety and feeling a little better. i initially started having them when i was just 16. I am 26 now and i get really worried and anxious at times but i feel so much better I have only had one attack and that was when something seriously bad happened so, yes it is possible to treat anxiety.
exercise is the best advice i can give you.
eat healthy and cut out all caffiene
spend quiet times relaxing
these things really do help.
contact me if you need more info and good luck!

i did. u just have to realise what it is that u do wrong.
I have severe anxiety & depression & am currently treating them with psych meds. But sometimes I can control the anxiety with deep (from the stomach) breathing. Also, I'd like to give Yoga a try. No, I don't think it's a learned behavior, as such, but I do think we can re-train our minds & bodies to avoid it as much as possible.
I tried treating my depression and anxiety disorder without medication, but it didn't work. I just got much worse. Even in between different medications, I would slip down. It took me about 5 years to get on the right medications to where my depression and anxiety were under control. But now that I am, I have never felt better! I would recommend at least talking to a counselor. They are trained professionals who can help you through your rough times. Best of luck!
I started having severe panic attacks about 6 years ago. When they first started they were so severe and lasted for days. I did take medication for a while, but then effectively took myself off. Since then I started to do relaxation techniques every day. I started to exercise, and I had a plan of action when I would get a panic attack. I always do have medication on hand in case the anxiety gets so bad that I can't control it, but I haven't taken anything in a few years. When I start to feel anxious I try to distract my mind. Sometimes I start counting numbers in my head, or doing simple math problems. I deep breathe and keep telling myself that it's just anxiety, I'm safe and IT WILL PASS! My husband helps me out a lot too. I just tell him that "I'm getting that feeling" and he helps me to physically and mentally relax. It's scary and it's difficult living with anxiety. I would recommend that you see a therapist that has dealt with severe anxiety and they will surely be able to give you tips on dealing with it. Good Luck and I wish you the Best.
I don't know if I can really help you, the only time I have really bad anxiety attacks is when my blood sugar drops too low (sounds stupid I know but I really do get BAD anxiety, I've seen a few trips to the emergency room for it, they always stabalize my blood sugar then I'm fine). The only thing that I've found that works for the anxiety part is throwing glass, I love the way it sounds when it shatters BUT that is not always the best thing to do (I can't tell you how many sets of glasses I've had to replace, not only my own but friends also) so I've found a new great way to relieve that feeling like you have to get out of your skin. I now have a designated bat that I use to hit the tree in my backyard with as hard as I can and that seems to make me feel better. I'm sure I'm not feeling the same level of anxiety that you are so this probably does nothing for you but I'm just sharing my story. I wish you the best of luck!
When I was in high school I suffered from depression and mild social anxiety. I started taking Prozac and I felt 100% better, I was more out going in school, happier, etc.

That was back in 1999-2000.

I didn't really have a problem with it until 2004 when I got a DUI. I suffered a severe panic attack in the courtroom and I haven't been the same since. I had severe anxiety and panic attacks constantly. When I woke up, going to work, going to stores, restaurants, seeing family, I mean real sever anxiety and fear that left me very suicidal. I thought I was loosing my ******* mind.

I started seeing a shrink about 3 weeks after this happened, desperate to get on meds because that worked for my anxiety, as a side effect, when I was in high school. At first I was on Prozac, didn't work. Then I researched meds more and found at what was good and what wasn't good. Unfortunately, I don't remember all that now, that was 2 years ago. Then they ended up putting me on Buspar during the day and Trazadone at night. None of that helped, it actually made me feel worse.

Then I found out about Nardil, which is supposed to be the best for treating anxiety and phobias. It has really severe side effects, especially if you have a history of drugs abuse so they wouldn't put me on it.

All counseling helped me with was understanding that I wasn't going insane and that millions of people have the same problem. That was comforting to know my future wouldn't be in a straight jacket in an asylum, but still day-to-day life was nearly impossible. I couldn't do anything I used to do, only hope that the anxiety wouldn't get so bad that I'd finally take my own life.

I lived with it for a year when I started taking a Phob-ease class in Vallejo, CA. I got allot better, I felt almost 100% after taking it a few weeks. I didn't take my meds, I cut back by drinking severely (that probably helped the most), and I followed the course book for the class. Anxiety and phobias come from underlying conditions, experiences, and predisposition and it is matter of chance and circumstance that make them full blown. Ie. With my DUI that I came out of as a sever agoraphobic, I was under stressful conditions, I don't like talking in front of people, etc. and it just came to a boil in a court room full of people. After that my brain said, "Small, crowded rooms, and etc. made that happen to you, avoid them." Anyway, I'm rambling, you can buy books on it or take a phobia class.

However, I have had set backs since then and I've been working my way back up the ladder for 6 months now. I feel probably about 30% better right now. It sucks, but I know that I got to nearly 100% once, I can do it again.

The reason it is a learned behavior is because you start avoiding places and things that give you anxiety, which makes it a lot worse. The only way to get over it is facing your fears.

Also, behaviour therapy is really the only proven succesful treatment for phobias, OCD, and anxiety. The Phob-ease course success rate is aroung 92%. Medication is like less than 10%.

Good luck getting help. Don't get discouraged, and know that no matter how shitty you feel, you are curable.
I suffered from depressions, panic attacks, generalised anxiety and phobia for years.
I was on medication against depressions for some time and it helped for a while.
Anxiety is learned behaviour! This is what you you learn when you submit to a behaviour/behavioural therapy which I did and it definitely helped me deal with anxiety and panic attacks without medication.
BUT, everyone has to find out what is the best therapy for herself. Some people will find psychotherapy very helpful and some medication. I appreciate clear as glas, logical analysis + people trying to support me the way I am + I had a severe chemistry/medicine phobia - accordingly I prefer behavioural therapy (sometimes medication is applied, but not in my case - I simply refused!) - You get clear instructions and guidance.
At any rate - there's a way out. Anxiety disorders can be cured!
All the best luck!
The page content post from users, we do not guarantee its accuracy. If you belong to the copyright which contains information, please contact us to remove it.
More Questions...