Herbs for Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Diane
Posted on: August 06, 2004

I have been living with anxiety for ten plus years. I had a very stressful job and one day I ended up in the emergency room. They diagnosed me as having a panic/anxiety attack. I went into therapy and they gave me a prescription for clonazepam 0.5mg. I have been on this medication this whole time. It has helped somewhat. The therapy didn’t really help and was very expensive. What really bothers me is the fact that I fear driving a vehicle. I had a panic attack on the freeway one day a long time ago and it has affected me since. I went into a panic attack and I felt I was not going to be able to stop the truck. I became very weak in the legs and did not feel I was in control. I have limited my driving to just making trips around town. This has taken away all my freedoms. I do not like taking medications. You hear pros and cons against taking herbs. I mentally feel better taking herbs. I want to get control of my life again and start driving like I used to. Do you have any suggestions for me? I don’t know if there is an herbalist nearby that I could go see and talk about my problem. I thought maybe there would be an herb that would help me keep calm all day.

In panic and anxiety, there are many factors involved. Herbs certainly can be helpful but must be taken along with a good diet and a lifestyle that promotes healing. I recommend that you consult with a natural practitioner such as a medical or clinical herbalist or a naturopath, who will give you information and recommendations for diet, lifestyle, relaxation exercises and herbs after a full health assessment. This natural practitioner will follow up and make changes to the recommendations as you progress.

Please see our web page at www.richters.com for information on how to find a natural practitioner in your area. Choose Q&A from the main menu, then enter "Finding a herbalist" for the search.

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