Question:
I have a close friend who is currently experiencing paralyzing panic
attacks. She would like to avoid using antidepressants if possible.
Has anyone out there had any luck with any particular herb or
combination of herbs, or maybe with homeopathy. I'd appreciate any
feedback that anyone could provide.
Answer:
I also have a close friend who suffers from Panic Disorder, ME. I
have tried all the prescriptions like Prozac, the trycyclics,
benzodiazapines, and beta blockers. These are all dangerous and
powerful drugs. Now I regularily take herbs such as Kava Kava and
Ginseng for generalized anxiety symptoms and Valerian and Scullcap for
sleep.
Write to me if you want more info!
If your friend wants to go the herbal way, the greatest amount of
research seems to have been done on hypericum (St. John's Wort.) Go to
http://www.hypericum.com and you can read up on all the medical studies
that have been done on this herb. From what I've read it's used
extensively in Germany (up to 50% of depressive disorders are treated
with it). This page doesn't belong to anyone selling anything plus there
are pages and pages of research results, so you might want to check it
out.
** Will, I'm glad that herbs help you. BUT, to make a blanket statement
about the meds: "These are all dangerous and powerful drugs" is a
statement that can only be made by a "medical professional." I've seen no
such credentials, and as one who is quite comfortable with "my" meds,
would never say that they are good for all/most people (although the
medical reports seem to say that they are for treating Panic Disorder).I
hope you're not just another anti-med troll.
If you are a caring individual, just trying to share what works for you,
it would be best to give "your experience" and not condemn the entire
world of medicine. BTW, there is a difference between Panic Disorder and
generalized anxiety symptoms. You state that you suffer from Panic
Disorder, but that the herbs you take are for "generalized anxiety symtoms
and sleep." I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here, and hoping that
you can see that you may be scaring folks who are considering meds on the
advise of a qualified doctor.
I did not mean to condem meds at all. I still take a trycyclic and a
beta blocker every day. I forgot to mention my Generalized Anxiety
Disorder too. Sorry if my message misled anybody. I think a good
combination of meds and herbs would be helpful to some sufferers.
