My daughter is having some problems and I am not sure which direction to steer her.  She has anxiety problems and has been on medication in the past.  It seems as though she is now having a phobia problem that is getting worse by the day.  She is not keen on taking medication and so far will not consider talking to a professional.  She is young, on her own and 500 miles from me and I am really getting worried.  I think it is starting to get out of hand.  Does anyone have any experience with phobias, depression and anxiety (in particular phobias)?  Any advice, links and words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.  

I spent a long time living with these silly things. Not to mean to sound at all that they are actually silly, they are not. I went to numerous hospitals, some of which gave me very sophiticated as well as invasive tests, any one of which could have given a healthy person a coronary, I am now pleased to say I feel MUCH better. My Dr has me on a regime of Effexor along with ativan if it should get out of hand. mY MOOD And EVERYTHING has changed to the wonderful, but please understand he had to go through several anti depressents befor Effexor worked with my body, There is definitely, there are deffinitely the correct balance of medications

Hi Bill,

Thank you very much for your reply.  She is going to call the doctors office this morning.  I understand what you are saying about hospitals and tests.  We went through this with her when she started having anxiety.  I am glad that we  now KNOW what an anxiety attack is!!  lol

Have you ever tried any natural medications or treatments for your anxiety?

I am simply putting in a vote for a counselor and psychiatrist...I think it's very important to have a psychiatrist and not a general practitioner prescribe anti-depressants b/c GPs aren't always up on the latest mental health meds and might not prescribe the one with fewest side effects.  Also, let your daughter know that you are her advocate, b/c it may take time to find a counselor that she connects with...the first try might not be a good fit, so knowing that from the outset can help with frustration.  Paxil is often prescribed for social anxiety, with good results.  But it is important to keep an eye on eating habits/appetite, b/c some people gain much weight (which leads to feeling bad again).  If it is a short term type of anxiety, i.e., a time in your daughter's life with lots of crises/stress, then Xanax might be a short term solution.  It has a shorter "half life" than some other anti-anxiety meds, and so won't leave you with a sluggish feeling.  (Most anxiety meds have addictive properties, another reason it is important to have a knowledgable physician following you.)  Zoloft is another good med to help w/ anxiety and depression, but really puts a damper on libido in many people.  Lexapro is a newer anti-dpressant with few sexual side effects.  Just a few thoughts to share.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel...but it takes awhile to find it.  Any chance your daughter can move/stay closer to family for a little bit?  Good luck.

Hello,

Before any medications, please try to get her to exercise, exclude soda or other caffeine from her body, and try homeopatic medicine called Gelsemium Sempervirens.It has no addictive properties and no side effects. Chamomille tea also helps, and less junk food, sugar especially. I guess lifestyle change iswhat is needed, with daily affirmations. And, it is not her fault...

Good luck.

Amie and Amira,

Thanks for the replies.  Shortly after I posted she did go to the doctor and ended up taking a low dose of prozac and and seeing a councelor.   She quit taking the prozac several weeks ago.  Won't try different meds.  She just moved back home last week and seems to be doing better.  We are looking for  council in this area.  Thanks Amira for the suggestions. She is running, diet is better.  I will check out the Gelsemium Sempervirens.  I know it is not her fault...but I still get aggravated with her not  wanting to take care of it like she should. 

Thanks again!

Hi Judy,

I cut out caffeine which helped with my anxiety.  In my "chemical makeup" medication helps.  My doctor suggested yoga to try and cut back on the stress.  Maybe your daughter could try some yoga?  I know it's tough when you're anxious and you're trying to relax.  I think it just takes time.

I hope she starts to feel better and please let her know she's not alone.   

You may want to look into cognitive therapy.  The Wiki article isn't very clear, but it has some good links at the bottom.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_therapy

The way I understand it, and this is a very unscientific explanation, is that the therapist trains you to redirect your thoughts before you get to that anxiety attack.  A way to work around mental minefields so to speak, or build a bridge over that rut in your brain so you don't fall into it again and again.  I understand that it can be very effective when coupled with the right medication.

http://partners.nytimes.com/library/national/science/health/011100hth-behavior-beck.html

My Dr. just put me on prozac and I'm trying to eat better. I've tried several different antidepressants and just started prozac. I really hope it works. You may also want the Dr. to test her thyroid. If some of the meds don't work for her, it could be the thyroid. Lucky for me, mine came back normal. So, I have to keep trying until I find one that works.

A great book for anxiety problems called Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies by Charles H. Elliott, PhD and Laura L. Smith, PhD (my therapist recommended it). It's a really great resource for your daughter because it teaches her how to identify when she is becoming anxious and how to help herself change the thought patters that lead to a panic attack. It even includes a section for how you can help her and a list of other helpful books and websites. I think the Dummies series also has books on depression and anxiety, but I'm not shure. I hope this has been helpful, because I've been there too and I know it's a scarry place to be for both you and your daughter.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 -Maureen

P.S. - You might try to find a local NAMI chapter (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Their web address is : www.nami.org

A great book for anxiety problems called Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies by Charles H. Elliott, PhD and Laura L. Smith, PhD (my therapist recommended it). It's a really great resource for your daughter because it teaches her how to identify when she is becoming anxious and how to help herself change the thought patters that lead to a panic attack. It even includes a section for how you can help her and a list of other helpful books and websites. I think the Dummies series also has books on depression and anxiety, but I'm not shure. I hope this has been helpful, because I've been there too and I know it's a scarry place to be for both you and your daughter.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 -Maureen

P.S. - You might try to find a local NAMI chapter (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Their web address is : www.nami.org

oops...

Hi - not everyone has the same formula.  Maybe she was going into the "red" with anxiety because she was so far home and did not feel safe...doing better at home.  Also vitamins deficiency- I am finding out the hard way - can play a role in all of this.   Let her know she may not have to take this stuff for the rest of her life.  I was on something for anxiety for a couple of years.  I got to a place that I didn't have any for a year but gave me a chance to fingure out the triggers.  For me it is a combo of hormones, stress and lack of sleep.  I have some pills that I have available that I can take if one starts.  It makes me very calm..I may take them for a day or two.  Have she seen a Holistic doctor?  I have a friend who has crones and since seeing him she has improved.  It is dietary and exercise changes along with vitamins for awhile.  Maybe that is alternative for her???  Good Luck

Hi - not everyone has the same formula.  Maybe she was going into the "red" with anxiety because she was so far home and did not feel safe...doing better at home.  Also vitamins deficiency- I am finding out the hard way - can play a role in all of this.   Let her know she may not have to take this stuff for the rest of her life.  I was on something for anxiety for a couple of years.  I got to a place that I didn't have any for a year but gave me a chance to fingure out the triggers.  For me it is a combo of hormones, stress and lack of sleep.  I have some pills that I have available that I can take if one starts.  It makes me very calm..I may take them for a day or two.  Have she seen a Holistic doctor?  I have a friend who has crones and since seeing him she has improved.  It is dietary and exercise changes along with vitamins for awhile.  Maybe that is alternative for her???  Good Luck