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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.

  • 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, 

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  • 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, 

Children
  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    It was a horrendous experience for me too and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It's scary to think that medication freely prescribed by doctors is capable of such negative effects. My GP kept saying that was normal at first and that I should continue with them. If it hadn't been for a locum doctor, who recognised what was happening and took me off them, I don't think I'd be here today.