Megadoses of B vitamins, especially B6 and B12 have helped me tremendously. Bach's Rescue Remedy, which is a blend of 5 flower essences, is very helpful for acute anxiety attacks as well.

Valerian as tea or tablets. It's less intense as tea, but doesn't smell very pleasant. I drink the tea when I start feeling down to keep from getting too deep, but it makes me very sleepy.
Also the midwives had gives me a tablet when I was freaking out about something, to keep me from going into labor. Might have been that I was passed out within 10 minutes...

Try daily meditatio. Do a thorough relaxation, grounding, and aligning to Mother Earth and your divine self

Skullcap tincture works quite well. I grow my own Skullcap and make my own extract.

I meditate, journal, and breathe. Breathing has been shown to have a calming effect on all the bodily systems. (slow deep breaths - not just the ones we take to stay alive)

I do take prescription medicines for depression but I also always carry a bottle of Bach flower rescue remedy for when I have anxiety attacks, I don't know how they work but I do find them very calming. I have tried some of the single flower remedies but I still always go back to the rescue one. I still prefer the original drops which you put in water even though they now do other format.

I've dealt with panic attacks, anxiety and stress for a loooong, long time... for daily stressors, a multi-b complex is awesome... when we're stressed, our bodies use up b vitamins fast, which can leave us feeling loogy... a b-50 or b-100 will help put back what stress takes away. It won't remove the stress from our life but will help put back what stress does.

For actual anxiety or panic attacks? Rescue Remedy is wonderful!! I can't say more good stuff about it. It comes in a little spray bottle that lasts a long time, even with a lot of use (I got a $10 bottle that lasted me about a year) and at the first whiff of a panic attack, a couple spritzes in the mouth and/or under the tongue and it really helps with the physical reaction to anxiety... the tightening chest pressure/pain, the choking feeling that can come, et al. I tried prescription stuff... Effexor XR and was NOT happy on that... some folks are but it didn't do a damned thing but deaden my emotions, though I still HAD them, I couldn't FEEL them... I'd want to and need to cry but COULDN'T....that was NOT a good feeling... and the withdraw from Effexor was AWFUL... they don't tell you about withdraw when they hand over the samples and 'script... but there are lots of forums of folks who have tried to quit, gave up and went back on the drug or stepped down even slower than I did... I put up with it, actually didn't recognize it as withdraw until afterward and the 'brain shivers' started... anyway. Rescue Remedy, I can't say enough about it... the spray bottle is small and portable.

BTW, miss you *hugs*

I am on Lexapro, 30mg/day for anxiety and depression. I tried St. John's wort before but had no real success with it; it helped in a small way with the depression but didn't curb the anxiety enough to justify continue taking it. I'm normally all for a more natural response to life, but this is one case in which I have to go with a medical route. I have a friend who took Lexapro a couple of years ago for identical reasons with a much worse physical and mental response to it; I've been lucky and have found that it's a great option for me, and works perfectly. I find it's actually worst for me when I DON'T take it - I agree that coming down off of a prescription SSRI is pretty rough, no matter why you're taking it. You NEED to be ready for it, and docs don't inform their patients well enough, I don't think. Anyway, that's my two cents. :)
KAS
http://thosecrazycrunchies.blogspot.com

I suffered from anxiety and depression since the 4th grade. I lived on antidepressants and antianxieties (Xanax) for over 10 years along with too much alcohol. One day I finally decided I had enough of all of it and quit the meds and drinking all at the same time, cold turkey. (I do NOT recommend this to anyone) I went through about 8 months of hell as my body tried to get back to "normal" after being so addicted to these things. I had to lost my mother, sister and a very close neice during that time period and I found myself having to regrieve them all over again since the meds kept me being able to do so. During that time, I was led to Reiki, Paganism, and meditation. With these and other spiritual practices I have found a healing that nothing else could touch. I have now been off all meds and alcohol for over 3 years and I am doing well. No more panic attacks even with the anxiety that pops up with perimenopause. I also frequently use the Emotional Freedom Technique and I get acupuncture treatments usually 3 or 4 times a year. For those of you who suffer with anxiety and depression....please know there are things out there that will help you besides the meds (which always have some side effects and are horrible to get off of). ;)

I've had anxiety/OCD issues since I was a kid, still do. Tried a brief stint with an SSRI, but didn't like the weight gain and using a chemical neurotransmitter in general. Finally tried Homeopathy - HUGE difference! All natural, zero side effects. Also use the EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique. It's a simple series of tapping on certain accupressure points during a panic attack while repeating an affirmation. You look like a moron doing it, but I swear it works!

I have found that "Tension Tamer" tea by Celestial Seasonings is quite wonderful. One strong cup of that tea with a little honey in it and I'm all smoothed out again! ;)

Thank you for this!

NO caffeine?????? ugh :(

thank you :)

wow--what a story!!! I will look into this, thank you :)

will do :)

I have read this about Skullcap - time to give it a try

I a really trying to get meditating to work better for me, concentrating on breathing is key, i know, just difficult to do sometimes

Thank you for all the information and personal experience Saff. I miss you too. FB hates me...I'm slowly trying to add friends back :(

thank you for the opinion - I agree!

lol,,I know, not the most desirable thing but it really helped.

makes sense that valerian would be calming,,it's use as a natural sleep aid.