Hi my 12 year old daughter suffers from bad anxiety and had to be moved schools due to bullying and leaving a suicide note on her desk for her teacher to see I moved schools I moved suburbs and she was getting better but going into high school she’s very highly strung and anxious and has no confidence whatsoever I don’t want to put her on medication if I don’t have to she sees a psychologist once a fortnight which helps but I want to find some natural stuff to help her any information would be greatly appreciated thanks
Natural remedies for anxiety
Tuesday, 10 December 2019 - 16:06
Natural remedies for anxiety
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression
8 Replies
There are natural antidepressants/anti anxiety products out there but ones that actually work can have some pretty bad side effects too, so don't think just because it's natural it's better! I take St Johns Wort, I personally don't have a problem with it at all and it helps me but for some people it causes side effects. It is a proven anti depressant. Whatever you decide to try run it by your doctor first. Breathing techniques, exercise and something familiar and comforting she can take anywhere can help too, like a big jumper or a fluffy bag. Something disguised but can be hugged or squeezed!
If the Dr is saying she needs medication, then she needs it and no natural thing will do the same. They will work as strategies in the long term, but what's the point if theyre not working now, Get her the help she needs.
Don't get me wrong I am all for natural treatments. I too went down the natural path when my gp wanted to medicate my 5 yr old daughter for anxiety. However I think your daughters case is bordering severe and really should be treated with medication aswell as psychological therapy. When you see the light at the end of the dark tunnel she's currently in, then look at bringing in the natural treatments in an effort to reduce the medication use. Natural remedies can take a good 6- 12 weeks to show any benefits. If you have your heart set on natural treatments, please see a qualified naturopath. A good one will look at the bigger picture, not just say here you go, such n such is good for that give it a go.
Sounds like the meds are way overdue! She should have been started on them when the suicide note was left if not before! She is screaming out for help and obviously just needs that extra boost from the meds along with intense psychology!
The way I see it, if our kid has mental illness then more than likely this is something they will suffer throughout life. It's our job to teach them how to manage this themselves. This includes all the natural things that keep us mental healthy and balanced, and it also includes identifying when we've tipped and when and what to do to reach out - which includes psychs, professionals and meds without any form of guilt or negativity.
Learning all of the natural stuff can only be done when they're in the right space to feel it and put it into practice, which is not right now. Right now she's in emergency space.
I'll admit that I'd be reluctant to put a kid that young on anxiety medication HOWEVER I have suffered with anxiety pretty much my whole life and I wish medication had been an option when I was that age. I don't think there's *that* many effective alternatives that are safe/well studied but whatever you do, please do it in consultation with a GP.
Learn about what anxiety does to your bodys physiology. Its not just thoughts. Actual, real changes happen inside the body. Or speak to the psych and they will explain it. Why does her tummy hurt, head and eyes ache, legs ache or bounce, lethargic/exhausted, restless, hyper alert, short of breath, heart hurts, prone to panic or fight or flight response. Her body is alert and ready and has been over a long period of time, that affects what's happening inside.
Then the psychologist can explain what the medication does and how that gives her body the chance to reset and recover.
Has she started menstruating yet? Try and keep a diary of episodes and see if there’s any pattern to them. I suffered from anxiety for years and was misdiagnosed as a teenager with depression. Only did I recently get diagnosed with PMDD and the pill helped regulate my “depression” and anxiety and I finally was able to work a full month with no attacks or sick days. This is after meds and anti depressants and a lot of heart ache. I could be ready to die one day and wake up with my period and feel completely rational and wonder how I was ever so messed up. Omg and the anxiety. My normal life just had to wait. It was so frustrating. If your daughter could even possibly have such a simple explanation for how she’s feeling about life, and her bodies reaction to it, please consider it. The pill. The simple pill changed my life. If not it also something something to consider as she matured at other contraceptives can exacerbate symptoms.
Natural remedies zinc and magnesium.