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Natural/herbal remedies for anxiety - do any of them actually work?

Kate Kestrel

Hello everyone,

Before I go ahead and potentially waste money on products that don’t work - has anyone tried any herbal/natural remedies for anxiety that actually work? In the past I’ve tried a few but never found they made any difference. I can’t take anti-depressants as I experience terrible side effects to them - so need to try something else. 

Has anyone had any success with things like Valerian and Passiflora etc? That kind of thing? 

I don’t want to make the mistake of wasting money I can ill afford to lose just because I’m at the end of my tether and desperate for anything that might work. 

And for anyone else who is struggling with anxiety - sending best wishes to you because it’s so hard isn’t it? Really tough when it’s bad. 

thanks 

Parents

  • The short answer is no. I am still searching for something that helps.

    Like you I had terrible side effects from various anti-depressants in the past. They actually made my anxiety worse and resulted in severe agitation and suicidal thoughts. I really wish doctors wouldn't keep prescribing them as a magic cure all for anxiety in autistic adults. They haven't been tested on autistic brains and I haven't seen any evidence that they actually work.

    I've tried St John's Wort, CBD oil and Valerian with no noticeable improvement in my anxiety.

    Currently I am trying Lions Mane supplements, based upon a recommendation on here a few weeks ago. https://community.autism.org.uk/f/health-and-wellbeing/27876/lions-mane-mushroom I've only been taking them around a week, so it's far too early to say if they are helping, but I think I seem to be sleeping better since starting them.

Reply

  • The short answer is no. I am still searching for something that helps.

    Like you I had terrible side effects from various anti-depressants in the past. They actually made my anxiety worse and resulted in severe agitation and suicidal thoughts. I really wish doctors wouldn't keep prescribing them as a magic cure all for anxiety in autistic adults. They haven't been tested on autistic brains and I haven't seen any evidence that they actually work.

    I've tried St John's Wort, CBD oil and Valerian with no noticeable improvement in my anxiety.

    Currently I am trying Lions Mane supplements, based upon a recommendation on here a few weeks ago. https://community.autism.org.uk/f/health-and-wellbeing/27876/lions-mane-mushroom I've only been taking them around a week, so it's far too early to say if they are helping, but I think I seem to be sleeping better since starting them.

Children
  • in reply to Autonomistic

    Yes - I had agitation and suicidal thoughts with anti-depressants too - it was a horrendous experience for me. I’m sorry you experienced that too.  I tried St Johns Wort years ago - didn’t seem to help. I’ve tried various other A Vogel remedies too, and cbd. I haven’t found that any of them have made a noticeable difference. I haven’t tried Lions Mane - I’ll look into that - thank you. It’s dispiriting to keep trying things without success. I feel quite desperate at the moment to be honest. Not sure what to do. Thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it,