Ive lately been having panic attacks and anxiety after years of being anxiety free. I think it is because of all the new stresses in my life. Has anyone tried acupuncture or any other holistic treatments for things like this? How much does acupuncture cost?
Ohh i need to hire my own personal masseuse hehe
I have not personally had an anxiety attack, but I suffer social anxiety, and I find even some bubble bath can sooth me, maybe just fiddling with something, tapping a foot etc, maybe a massage.
Acupuncture can help but I’d recommend Polarity Therapy first. I’ve tried several holistic approaches for anxiety but Poliarity was # 1 for me for results, it may vary for you though. Cost was $60 for 1 1/2 hrs of pure bliss that stopped the attacks for a long time and I was sceptical. Reiki can be very helpful too. You also can learn some great cranial pressure techniques on your own that really can help – I use them frequently. Feel around on your head and you’ll find lots of places that at different times, will hurt or be sore – apply pressure and it may change your mood, it does mine.
A Naturopathic doctor would be worth a visit too for a homeopathic liquid mix for nerves that works wonderfully – I keep mine in the frig for when needed. All natural and a Naturopathic Dr. often will go for faster results than a lot of just homeopathic practitioners.
Make sure you are taking an excellant multi-vitamin, add multi-B complex (helps with mood and lowers stress affects), think about trying some 5-HTP (over-the-counter) which increases your seratonin levels which are likely lower due to the stress and it comes in different dosages, so example: you take 100 mg at bed and your find but then have a really bad day – you could pop a 50 mg during the day. Follow directions and keep your doctor informed of what you do in case of interactions or if you had an emergancy. You cannot take 5-HTP if you are on anti-depressants. Make sure you are getting 2500 mg of omega 3 (combination of fish oil, borage and flaxseed) may be best. Omega 3 helps your body deal with the stress too. Drink lots of water, decrease alcohol consumption, get plenty of sleep and if you are not sleeping well, try Melatonin (over-the-counter) which will help you get to sleep and if you wake up, helps you not wake up as often and go back to sleep faster. Increase your vitamin C dosage, take vit E & D too.
You know you have new stressors in your life and you know your body is telling you it’s too much. So look closely what what the stressors are, what can you do about them – decrease or eliminate some of them, and those you can’t – you need to find/develope additional coping strategies to deal with them, so they won’t stress you out as much. Stress is a major enemy of the body, for everyone and especially for anyone with a mental illness – it will suck the life from you and leave you not having a life. So listen to your body carefully, take thought out action steps, make sure you have a good support system of friends and family and you may even want a ‘tune-up’ (a couple of sessions) with a cognitive therpay practicing LCSW or Psychologist.
A life coach is great to help you identify the stressors and brainstorm ways to deal with them and deal with other life factors, so you are moving forward and not swirling away in chaos and headed for the ‘pit’.
You’ve got to make time to relax too and do some fun things. So easy to say but so hard to do when you’re in the ‘place’ you are in but it is so necessary as part of the healing and dealing with the anxiety.
I found a pretty good article for you: http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Can+acupuncture+treat+depression+and+anxiety+
I can not say personally if it works for anxiety or depression but I can tell you this, I once had a Chinese Dentist that used it on me when I was having some multiple dental work done & wow did it ever relax me (well I guess I can say it works for anxiety, DOH) I still needed a few shots to numb my mouth but not as many & I was a lot more relaxed. I have faith in it. I sure would rather have acupuncture done than take a bunch a pills. I think it was Paula Abduel that spranged her ankle very badly after practicing for a show & it was so bad they were going to cancel her tour (back in the day) & she went to an acupuncturist one time & whatever he did he told her to get up & walk & she did & the pain was completely gone. Ok, I am babbling. Insurance wont cover it & you will have to call one in your area to find out cost but I don’t think it’s extremely out of line like shrinks charge here or what most of these medications cost here. Good luck.