I'm 32 years old, and I'm so anxious all the time. I feel wound up, jittery, and stressed-out over everything. I have two kids and I work, and I just can't seem to stop replaying all the stuff I have to worry about over and over in my mind. I also feel physically anxious--my body feels tight and I can't sit still. I don't have health insurance, and I don't want to take prescription meds anyway. What can I do for my anxiety without the use of prescription medication?

It can be tough with so much responsibility not to get caught up in all the things you "have to" do. I have 3 kids--a 5 year old, a 2 year old and an infant--and the only thing I've found that works is yoga. Sometimes I do it with the kids, but I like to make it a personal thing I do first thing in the morning. Seriously, though, when you talk about feeling so wound-up, I can completely relate. Some form of exercise has always been the best answer for me. Another great thing you could do for yourself is to get a massage. Treat yourself, and let go of all that tension.

Hi Peaches,

There are many people out there who would rather avoid prescription drugs and conventional medicine doctors altogether. That's understandable, too. What with all the news reports about prescription drugs causing side effects and plenty of online commentary about how today's doctors only seem to care about prescribing drugs and not really helping the patient. All that being said, I think it's still important that you talk to someone—a licensed counselor or a psychologist in your area; there are even licensed dial-a-therapists with whom you can talk about your anxiety over the phone from the convenience of your own home. The bottom line is you might have a good idea that what you're experiencing is anxiety caused by being stressed out over everything, but the right type of healthcare professional can help you to understand the severity of your symptoms and teach you how to cope with them.

I've spoken with many people who, after talking to their doctor, decided to go the self-help route because they felt like they knew what was best for them. If you think this is the right option for you, here are a few books that I have read and think might help you get started:

Healing Anxiety Naturally: Harness the Power of Herbs

Beyond Anxiety and Phobia

8 Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life.

Dance Naked in Your Living Room: Handling Stress & Finding Joy

On the topic of stress management, you might also be interested in the 7 Aspects of Wellness. This view of wellness encompasses the 7 major areas of our lives—Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, Spiritual, Occupational, Social and Environmental. Here's one last resource that might be able to point you in the right direction. It's an article I wrote recently about breakdowns in the 7 Aspects of Wellness and how that may often cause anxiety, depression and other emotional stress responses.

I hope this helps, Peaches.

Peace, love and light,
Peter Holy
123 Feel Better Wellness Advisor
http://www.123feelbetter.net/

About a couple of months ago I started getting anxiety quite strongly.It kept me up at night and there was nothing in my life I could hook it on.I did a combination of vitamines,herbs and exersizes. I took a herb called Ashwagandha,I don't normally even take herbs but I was desperate. Ihad some Valarian to help me at night,and took my B's and multivitamins as it was affecting my digestion.Calcium and especially Magnesium are good because they are mustle relaxants.I make sure I do yoga every morning!It's not just an exersize it's very affective on your nervous system.I also do meditation and read alot of spiritually inspiring books.Music is also very soothing as of aromatherapy. Anyway my anxiety is gone but I still do these things to maintain an emotional balance in my life. Hope this is helpful. Lynda

Great suggestions, Lynda!

Nan Little
Wellness Advisor, 123 Feel Better Company

I have struggled with this for years and although people don't like to hear it some of the best things you can do are cutting out SUGAR & CAFFINE those are two things that can have a very negative effect on people with anxiety. You will quikly find that by eating healthy and cutting out those two things you will feel tramendously better.

I have had some of these things happen recently to me and I also figured out if you don't give into the thoughts they go away. It's all about choosing the right thoughts. The devil puts thoughts in our heads..They are LIES. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. I have recently became saved by God's amazing grace and since then the struggle over my mind has begun..He can cause a lot of things to happen and they are not real....Panic attacks,anxiety..JUST REPLACE THE NEGATIVE THINKING WITH POSITIVE THINKING AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED.... A GREAT BOOK IS BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND BY JOYCE MEYER... IT IS SOOOO HELPFUL. HOPE YOU CONSIDER THIS.. IT HELPS AND SO DOES GOD!

well, don't know if I can help, but I'll try.
for the first time i heard about anxiety was when my boyfriend told me about his problems few weeks ago. We were talking about it mayn times since then, and i belive it helps him. I'm taking him to places where he feels his fears talking aboout nice things he likes to talk about, keep him smiling all the time. He used to be affraid to drive his car, now he loves it. We explore nature whenever we can, 2 weeks ago we bought a new camera and take pictures whenever and wherever we can, we try to be happy all the time. It is the best way to fight it, just keep smiling. I know, it is not easy to do, it's much easier to say, but for now it works.
We talk about it whenever we can, whenever he feels good, we are trying to analize every step he made when he was feeling good, trying to project the same thing all over again, he sleeps much more that he used to, we wach tv together, play PS whenever we can, it makes him smiling.
The most important in our lives whenever we have a problem is to find someone we can talk to, someone supportive, it helps. just the feeling that yopu can do whatever you want in front of that person helps us. I had many problems in my life, and those who helped me where my friends and my family. they are the most precious we have, don't you ever forget it. I was depressed many times in my life, but I know what is the best for me. you just have to do the same thing we did. I love music, I love dancing, I do it at home, when I'm alone, when noone's there to see me, then I relax and enjoy every moment I have. I had no idea what anxiety was, aldo I had it too, but now, when it's all behind, I am trying to help my boyfriend because I know how he feels. He has found things he likes, he's enjoying now more than ever. he still has it, but he's fighting, and that's very important.
We are what we belive we are. Don't let yourself to float into the feeling, fight it!!!

The only thing left I could do for you is to give you my e-mail adress, in the case you would like to talk to me. I'm far far away, in Croatia, but there is web all of us can use if we need some help.

it is

pipi_0077@yahoo.com

I agree doing natural things like positive thinking help. To my experience psychiatric drugs make things worse and I don't relate to the thinking of people who say they need their drugs for the rest of their lives and get mad if you say that wasn't right for you.

http://www.panicreliefinc.com/

Hi Peaches,

If you find these suggestions don't work for you. You might connect to how Jen got her life back. Go to this website http://www.lifepotential.ca/coaching.htm and listen to the audio interview with Jennifer who had major panic attacks and anxiety for years.

All-ways the best,

Ronda

Hi I have been prescribed oxazepam for my anxiety which is to help help take the edge of my depression when I feel stressed

Hi, Im new to this forum but felt i had to post. for years (6-7) i took xanax - and it worked well for me, but when buspar became available around 7 years ago... i took the chance to find a more safer drug. (note the generic does not work for me- so its kind of expensive)

i take it daily and have no side effects from it. it works differently-not the calming of xanax- which i missed for a while - but more as a overall stress stabelizer. I also now workout 4-5 days a week- and more during stressfull times- which balances some of it.

the two weeks - getting off xanex were not easy but doable leaving every inch of my house spotless! (i was on the go continuesly.)

anyhow just wanted to share my experience with meds...

Lexapro. It's excellent. I take 20 mg a day.

you sound like you are on stress overload which causes anxiety and depression.
try to weed out as much things,people and whatever else gets on your nerves and try a health food store.

I have used all kinds of prescriptions for anxiety...going back roughly 8 years. I am also in my thirties, have three kids, etc.., and have same issues you described. I recently weened myself off of all RXs partly due to money constraints, but mostly because I hate the idea of being a slave to chemicals in order to feel somewhat normal.
I found the herb called valerian root that I now take at bed time that is for relaxation, along with another vitamin called melatonin that helps me fall asleep. Both are natural herbs that help enhance what your body is already doing (if that makes sense). True, i am still taking pills, but they are at least natural, and they don't break the bank or require permission from a doctor. I should also note that I am also enjoying the benefits of yoga and other mind soothing exercises in addition to reading more books about the human mind and how it plays "tricks" on you (try The Power of Now and/or A New Earth by Ekhart Tolle). It also helps if you have a patient significant other. Good luck.