Dealing With Anxiety WithOUT Meds

[xDissidentx]

I have always had panic attacks, this has dated back to childhood. I've also always been an introvert, very shy in personality, large crowds made me nervous. I've seen Drs in the past, each one wanting to medicate me with some designer poison. I've tried taking the meds, but they leave me feeling empty inside, left me feeling more depressed than anything and did little to affect my anxiety/social issues. I've found ways to deal in the past and have managed well, but lately my panic attacks have increased along with my social phobia. Going out among crowds or meeting even ONE new person is enough to trigger an attack. I get to the point where I can't breath, I try to make myself appear as small as possible, shrinking myself from the inside out. It's almost paralyzing. I end up being over run by this burst of emotions that weigh so heavy on me. Its affected my life so much and yet feels so ridiculous to have this be holding me down. Is there anyone else out there dealing with this? Aside from downing medication, has anything else helped you find ways to cope and function? I'd like to avoid Big Pharma and opt for Mother Earth instead.

[Paxiled]

Have no idea what Chamilla is.  Do you mean chamomile?  If so, that's a pretty mild relaxant compared to other herbal preparations.  At any rate, to the poster:  pick up a book called Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA who uses natural remedies in her practice.  It's a complicated way to go, not as simple as taking one herb.  Usually you would take some relaxant herbs plus some amino acids plus herbs to work on the adrenals, plus therapy, learning relaxation techniques, meditation, dietary changes, etc.  There are many books on this and most naturopaths can be helpful.  The only cure, of course, if the cause isn't physiological is for you to change the way you think.  CBT therapy is one way to attempt to do this.  No drug yet invented gets to the cause of how we feel.  

[stormy_days]

You can try Chamilla it's a herbal tea and is great for anxiety.  It does the same as if you are taking benzo's.  You have drink about 3 cups a day.You can also try meditating which will help relax and calm your mind along with breathing techniques.  Also, you can check to see if there are any groups in your area and start attending with small groups of course.  Being with other people who suffer can really help and learning alternative ways to deal and cope.