Any suggestions for a non-prescription way to treat anxiety attacks and claustrophobia?
26 May 2010
7 Comments
arcanine09 asked:
I’ve already cut down on coffee, but noticed that my anxiety attacks are happening more and more often. I also get really claustrophobic and tense in weird situations, like waiting on a check-out line or when people stand too close. I’d prefer not to take a prescription pill for any of it, but may have to look into it in the future. Are there any suggestions to lessen the problem? Like, any herbal remedies, or breathing techniques, or dietary change? And is this common with others?
I’ve already cut down on coffee, but noticed that my anxiety attacks are happening more and more often. I also get really claustrophobic and tense in weird situations, like waiting on a check-out line or when people stand too close. I’d prefer not to take a prescription pill for any of it, but may have to look into it in the future. Are there any suggestions to lessen the problem? Like, any herbal remedies, or breathing techniques, or dietary change? And is this common with others?
try hypnosis
I don’t think that there are pills for claustrophobia. There is a way to “cure” it though. Phobias are a learned fear of something and what is learned can also be unlearned. Try to think of something that can serve as a reward for not freaking out in those situations and you should gradually wean yourself off of the phobia.
I have the same problem. I did have to get on meds though because It became beyond my control. One thing that I would always do is to breathe in really deeply and imagine you are inhaling all your worries and problems and all that is making you anxious and hold it for the slow count of 5 and then exhale very slowly through your mouth while imagining blowing all that negativity away. Might sound stupid but every little bit helps. Good luck and I hope you get better on your own because I couldn’t and I love the meds that I am on and I only take a pill when I need it. I didn’t want to be on something that I would have to take every single day and have side effects.
I would also suggest hypnosis.. Get some selp hypnosis tapes for relaxation and listen to them at night before bed. Also, look into cognitive behavioral therapy
Smelling salts or lavendar (I carried a little bag round in my pocket and took it out to smell if I felt stressed) – makes you feel less dizzy. Also deep breathing and concentrate on your breathing – close your eyes and try to forget your surroundings until you feel more relaxed. Cutting down on caffeine is a good way to go, and also sugary foods.
Cognitive therapy works very well. You should eliminate all caffeine though. Before you consider medications, please check out
Many anxiety medications are dangerous, highly addictive and can actually make your anxiety WORSE.
Try neurofeedback. These types of therapy help you learn to control your mental state and to stay calm even when you are under stress. You can buy devices for a lot less than it costs to see a therapist, but a therapist who specializes in this type of therapy would probably do you good. Good thing is that instead of bad side effects you actually increase your brain power.
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