![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 1, 2010, at 10:59:56
I had this idea of formulating a vitamin for social anxiety that could be taken on an as-needed basis prior to social events. There would be many difficulties in formulating it for everybody as everybody has different nutrient needs, but there are some key vitamins, minerals, and herbs that if combined together in proper dosages could help alleviate the anxiety associated with social events. I've just done some thinking about it because I have suffered from social anxiety for many years. To be able to help others with this debilitating disorder would bring me much joy. I have some ideas, but I still have a lot of research that would have to be done. A big question would be how synergistic the ingredients would be combined, question of drowsiness, question of dosages that would work for most people with this disorder. I spent years taking Ativan, and although it worked well for social anxiety, there is the risk of dependence, withdrawal, and rebound anxiety if used too frequently, and also the risk of worsening of depression if used long-term. I have dealt with each of these symptoms in the past. I would like to make a contribution to people with this disorder based on my experience, but I must admit, it would be a daunting task. It might not be as predictable as a benzodiazepine. Now, it is known that serotonergic drugs do alleviate anxiety, but in my opinion, they are not as effective as benzodiazepines. The key may lie in using serotonergic agents as well as a nutrient pill to combat the social anxiety. Also to take into consideration is the use of low dosage antipsychotics to alleviate anxiety. Again, they help, but they are not as effective as benzodiazepines. The antipsychotics may help as an add-on to alleviate overstimulation caused by abnormal dopamine transmission, but I do believe that a nutrient pill in addition to the meds or alone will alleviate a lot of the anxiety. There are so many factors to take into consideration. Pharmaceutical companies could formulate a nutrient pill for social anxiety, but there is no money to be made from it. Personally, I have been able over the years to gradually incorporate natural supplements into my medication regimen. They do make a difference when the medication has done all it can do. I wish I had delved into this years ago. I would have alleviated much of my suffering, I'm sure of it. Now, there is also the question of using one herb in particular, Kava Kava, if you are already taking antidepressants for social anxiety. This herb may interact with the meds, so probably it cannot be included in the nutrient pill. It's tricky because there are some good herbs out there for anxiety, and they may not work well with meds. Maybe I could formulate one nutrient pill for those not on meds, and another pill for those on meds. To me, it's worth exploring. Any thoughts out there?
Posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 11:16:45
In reply to Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 1, 2010, at 10:59:56
It's a great idea. I know there are some similar products out there. I'll come back later(need to take a nap) and weigh in on what I think would be a good formulation.
So what kinds of herbs and vitamins do you have in mind?
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 7, 2010, at 11:19:23
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 11:16:45
Some of the things I was thinking of were pyridoxine, manganese, selenium, niacinamide, Vitamin C, kava kava, cinnamon. There are others. I'm researching it. You're right. There are already some products out there specifically for anxiety. I was just brainstorming about all the nutrients that have helped me with anxiety. The trick is to find just the right combination for synergism, and of course, effective dosages with minimum of side effects. The other problem is, of course, is that some people may not respond due to the complexity of anxiety disorders. I just thought, one day, wouldn't it be nice to help people with anxiety disorders based on my personal experience, i.e. take a vitamin pill when you feel especially anxious in social settings. On the other hand, I guess the best way to treat anxiety disorders is to use medication with a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, herbs, fatty acids. This is what I already do. But I thought that some people may not want to take all these nutrients everyday. Heck, a lot of people don't even want to take their meds everyday. So if it could be as easy as popping a vitamin specifically formulated for anxiety, why not? I don't know. I'm just brainstorming.
Posted by morgan miller on August 8, 2010, at 21:14:43
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 7, 2010, at 11:19:23
I think it's a great idea Lao.
How are things going? Have you been able to exercise more?
Hope all is well!
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 9, 2010, at 10:31:38
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by morgan miller on August 8, 2010, at 21:14:43
Thanks for the support. I just posted something today about my ideas for social anxiety supplements, based on my experience over the years. I hope it helps some people suffering from social anxiety, especially those opposed to taking SSRIs. I think it is a good list and could help many people. Wish I knew this stuff years ago. I hope I'm making a contribution.
I just played tennis yesterday with my brother. I absolutely love it, and I feel pretty good afterwards. I'd play it everyday if my brother didn't have to work, but it seems the weekends are the only time I exercise. It's a bummer! How have you been lately? Did you get any results from your tests yet? My depression seems to be under control for now. I'm focusing on antioxidants and essential fatty acids. I seem to be less anxious and have more energy. I have to take both fish oil and borage oil for energy and depression. Fish oil alone doesn't quite do it. What I do is take my fish oil, then wait an hour, and then take my borage oil capsule. I've heard that the oils compete with each other, so you probably shouldn't take them at the same time. I find they do work better for energy and depression if I take them one hour apart.
Hope all is well with you! Are you exercising at all? I know it's difficult when you have bipolar. You tend not to feel motivated to exercise. I know what that's all about. I might get on my bike a couple times of week, but I really have to force myself. I think if one addresses the depression and energy levels, you probably will feel more motivated to exercise. This seems to be the case for myself.
How was your weekend? I didn't do a whole lot, but I do feel a lot better than I have this whole year.Stay well, and thanks again for your support. It means a lot. I just hope people will be helped by my ideas. I've spent enough time working on all this. I figure that if I can get better having schizophrenia, then people with less severe mental illness can do wonders for themselves. All they need is a little knowledge and some key nutrients, and perhaps medication if the nutrients don't work well enough.
Take care of yourself, Morgan.Lao
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 9, 2010, at 13:44:43
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 9, 2010, at 10:31:38
Hey Morgan, I'm back to using the holy basil again, just to let you know. I find that it does help with the emotional aspect of my depression, as long as my energy is okay. Felt pretty good today because of it. How is the schisandra working for you? Someone said it might be good for psychosis, which is what I have.
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 9, 2010, at 23:56:50
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 9, 2010, at 13:44:43
> Hey Morgan, I'm back to using the holy basil again, just to let you know. I find that it does help with the emotional aspect of my depression, as long as my energy is okay. Felt pretty good today because of it. How is the schisandra working for you? Someone said it might be good for psychosis, which is what I have.
>
> LaoHey Lao, I think using Holy Basil 4 to 5, maybe 6 days out of the week is a good idea. I think taking the little breaks from it helps maintain it's efficacy. I'm sure it differs for most people.
Schisandra is good so far. I think I notice I am more alert and have a nice calm energy, which is what it is supposed to do. Maybe Schisandra can be your next herb to experiment with. I'm using a product by Planetary Herbals called Schizandra Adrenal Complex. I read about other people having success with it so I bought it. I personally think Schisandra in the liquid form might be more powerful. The PH's formula has other things in it that may work in synergy with schisandra. I may order a liquid version or buy it from my local Vitamin Shoppe and take a little of it along with the PH's product. We will see.
I'm doing o.k.. I just upped my Lithium dose to 600 mg extended release lithium carbonate-300 mg twice a day. I also am only taking Prozac every other day now. I will be getting off Prozac or reducing it to 5 mg and adding in another AD(Zoloft again, or st. john's wort). Haven't been able to see the pdoc lately cause I owe him 1200 dollars! Eeeek!
Trying to remember what else you asked...Oh yeah! I'm not exercising, it really really really SUCKS! It's not really my bipolar as much as my body being a total wreck and major fatigue(which I believe is being caused by more than just depression), resulting in me being so unmotivated and miserable because of this. If it were just bipolar that was going on with me and I was a bit younger with a healthy body and fairly sharp mind and no fatigue, I would be at the gym 5 to 7 days a week. I would be playing basketball 2 to 3 days a week. I would be going out 2 to 3 days a week, sometimes to bars, sometimes to dance clubs. There are many things inhibiting me from being able to have comfort and enjoy everyday life. These things are making my bipolar depression, anxiety, and psychological(from my childhood)issues much much more difficult to manage and deal with.
I'm so glad to hear your depression is pretty under control! Hope this trend continues. You are very bright, if you want to stay well and continue to get better you will. We always will take small steps back, the important thing is that we take larger steps forward. My old therapist taught me this long ago. I still love her even though I think she made a few crucial mistakes with me.
Get your *ss out there and exercise! Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure if you do it you will feel so much better. I know, I know, I need to take my own advice. When I am 60 percent again, I will start working out regularly. Remember, exercise promotes neurogenesis and helps to increase serotonin, dopamine, and those feel good endorphins!
Take it easy brotha!Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 10, 2010, at 15:56:55
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by morgan miller on August 9, 2010, at 23:56:50
Hey Morgan,
You're so right. I have to take larger steps now that I feel better. I have to get out there and exercise and get a job, two goals on my list. I'm not making any other goals right now. That's enough for me.
Oh, you play basketball? I used to eons ago, but not anymore. I think tennis is my thing. I sprained my ankle slightly yesterday at the tennis court. It should be okay in a few days, no big deal. First time I did that while playing tennis. Maybe I need a better pair of shoes. I think I'm going to go out and get a good pair of tennis shoes.I hope raising your lithium and changing your antidepressant is going to work for you. Good luck in that regard. I never tried lithium or a lithium supplement. Both of my psychiatrists never even mentioned it. The first mood stabilizer they put me on was Lamictal. It's an okay med, nothing spectacular. Initially, it really helped with the depression, but lately, it's just okay. Supposedly, it is a better med than Depakote, at least that's what my doctor said.
I remember way back when when my first doc tried me on Gabitril. I had a bad psychological reaction to it. I went into a rage and punched the door to my room REALLY hard. I got off that very quickly. I tried to use it as needed almost like Ativan, but that didn't work. It actually made my depression worse. Also, gabapentin or Neurontin is a useless drug according to my doctor. Lithium has a great track record for bipolars who are suicidal. It literally has saved many lives. I respect its usage, but my doctor never offered it to me. He says take Lamictal, so that's what I do twice a day. Does it really help my depression? I don't really know, to be honest with you. I think the vitamins do more for me than the Lamictal, but I guess it is helpful.I like the Holy Basil. It doesn't seem to interfere with anything else I'm taking, and it is what I call a "smooth" herb. Its effect is pleasing, just right. Doesn't make me tired or foggy.
Well, I do hope you reach 60% better. I think I'm somewhere around there, maybe less or more. Have you tried any low impact exercises, or is that still too much for your body to handle? You know, like Pilates? Is that just for women, or do men do Pilates too? Ha ha ha!! Or just walking on a treadmill? Is that too much for your ligaments and muscles?
Is it recommended that you do stretching exercises often? I wonder if that would help you.Are you still considering accupuncture? I don't know much about it myself.
What about, I forget what they call it, but it involves doing exercises in a swimming pool to strengthen your body? A lot of seniors do it and those with fibromyalgia. My mom's friend has it, and she swims everyday as therapy for her muscles.I'm sure there's some therapy out there that would help you get back to normal. Wish you well. Stay happy!
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 12, 2010, at 0:02:52
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 10, 2010, at 15:56:55
Hey Lao,
Yes I played a lot of ball and I miss the heck out of it. Now I'm having trouble just walking comfortably.
I would love to do pilates! I will be doing some of that in the future. Not a girly thing at all. I'm pretty comfortable with my sexuality in that way. Sh*t, I've even thought about doing Zumba! Well more for meeting the girls that the actual workout ; )
Doing some pool exercise is a great suggestion! They actually offer a pool aerobics class at my gym and I need to check it out for sure.
Thing is, I've feel so bad so often, I can't even get my *ss out of the house-I'm not talking about depression. I just saw a doctor today that thinks I could have an autoimmune disorder called Charco-Marie-Tooth. Yeah totally odd name huh. So it basically involves your immune system attacking the myelin sheath covering your peripheral nerves. When she saw how high my arches on my feet are, she said that high arches like mine can be an indication of a possible predisposition to this particular autoimmune disorder, CMT we will call it. Ugh, I really hope I don't have it, but at least that would explain some things and I would be able to start on a treatment plan.
She also suggested that I see a Lyme disease specialist despite my testing negative 2 times. She said a chronic infectious disease like Lyme could trigger CMT.
I'm seeing a neurologist on Friday and I hope to get a referral to a good Lyme specialist and a Rheumatologist(they typically are the ones that diagnose autoimmune disorders
Even though Lamictal doesn't seem to give you the boost it initially did, I'm sure it is helping to keep you stable.
Thanks as always for you suggestions and support!
Get off you *ss and get some moderate exercise for 30 minutes 4 times a week! Exercise is by far the best natural thing you can do for your brain!
Talk you you later brotha! Be Well!
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 16, 2010, at 15:20:52
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by morgan miller on August 12, 2010, at 0:02:52
Morgan, are there tests that will diagnose you with CMT, or is it just an educated guess at this point? How common is it? Are there ways to treat it? I hope you get some definite answers as to what exactly it is you have. You say it may involve demyelination in your peripheral nerves? Is there anything they can do about it? The thing that comes to my mind is Multiple Sclerosis, but who knows? Did they say anything about MS? I'm glad you're going to a neurologist. Hopefully, he'll shed some light as to what is happening with your body? It's great that you are getting tested for different things. The crime is not knowing what you're dealing with. Once you know, you can do something about it. Good luck at the neurologist, and please let me know how it goes. Stay well and keep posting.
As far as myself, I will do some exercise if I can get out of this lazy mode I'm in. I wish I could play tennis everyday. I don't really know anybody that plays it except my brother. My days lately have been all right. I'm not complaining too much, but I really do need motivation to do things. It's part of the illness. My mom has been warning me about the dangers of smoking. I've heard it so many times from her. I realize she just cares about my well-being. I really do have to stop, but the patch doesn't work for me. I've tried it for over a year now, and I still smoke. I guess I have to muster up enough determination to stop, i.e. just say enough already and go through the withdrawal. I'll still use the patch, but I don't think it's going to make it any easier. Maybe a little. Really, I think, the patch is somewhat useless, at least for me. It doesn't address all the other chemicals in the cigarettes that I may be dependent on. Delivering the nicotine faster may or may not work. I think you have to block the receptors, like Chantix does. That way nicotine won't be able to affect the receptors and cause all the chemical changes that cause you to want to light up. I'm waiting for more innovative medicines because Chantix has some very potential unpleasant side effects. They need to perfect it more.
Well, let me know how it goes at the neurologist. I really hope it's nothing too serious. Good luck and stay well.Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 16, 2010, at 21:21:01
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 16, 2010, at 15:20:52
Hey Lao,
So soon after my last post to you, I did a little research on Charcot Marie Tooth. After reading about the symptoms I was convinced that I did not have this. When I saw the neurologist he seemed to agree. He wasn't quite sure what to make of my symptoms, though he has not ruled out the possibility of some autoimmune disease. He is going to do an EMG to determine if I have any nerve damage. This will tell him if any of my problems are nerve related. I know it's going to be positive for nerve damage, I tested positive 2 years ago when another neurologist conducted the same test. I'm a bit frustrated, he did not think my sciatic nerve is the cause of my sore and constantly fasciculating calve muscle-the last neurologis(a very good one) believed it was my sciatic nerve. He also didn't have an answer for the fatigue. I'm going in for some blood tests tomorrow that he ordered and I will see him in a few weeks for the EMG. At this time I will ask him to refer me to a good rheumatologist, no matter what he thinks is going on with me. I have also suspected MS or some form of sclerosis. If I have some kind of MS, it is relapsing-remitting with a very slow progression. I don't think I have MS though. This is why I want to see a rheumatologist.
I am also going to see a Lyme specialist, I just do not trust the tests.
I really hope you can quit smoking soon. Even if it takes 5 years it's better than never. The only problem with quitting is that smoking may be medicating you some, at least that would be my concern. What do you think about trying selegiline? Do you think your doctor would go for that? It may help you quit and it could make you feel a bit better.
As far as energy for working out is concerned, I think you might benefit from Schisandra. I also think you might like the feeling of a good dose of Cordyceps. I tried 4 grams the last two days and I think I really noticed a difference, I actually felt like working out. Have you experimented with medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps or Reishi(this may also help you feel better).
Start exercising you will feel better, and it may help you quit smoking!
Be well brotha,
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 17, 2010, at 14:13:34
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin » Lao Tzu, posted by morgan miller on August 16, 2010, at 21:21:01
Morgan, hi! How are you? What's an EMG stand for? Going to a rheumatologist is probably a wise step for you. You would want to rule out as much as possible. Maybe it would just give you some peace of mind to know either way.
Selegline? I don't know if my doctor would try this. He's not the type of doctor that is in to experimenting with different drugs. He's pretty much by the book and only gives me the best medications for my disorder. I have asked him about so many other medications, but he just says they won't help. He did, for a little while, recommend Chantix for smoking cessation, but when all the bad press came out about it, he stopped talking to me about it. I guess he wants to try and avoid any malpractice suits. I asked him about Wellbutrin for smoking, and he said it doesn't work. So I have over the years been putting more faith into what he tells me. I now admit that he really is a very good psychiatrist. Unfortunately, the current medications are not miracle drugs, and I doubt they ever will be. If I want to quit smoking, if I want to get a life, I have to put forth some effort. That's life, I guess, difficult as it is.
I will consider schisandra like you suggest and cordyceps. So far the only two herbs that have had a real impact for me are cinnamon and ginger. I gave up on the holy basil. I actually felt too mellow with the holy basil. I like to be a little more alert. I'm sure the holy basil would probably work fine if I wasn't on so many meds that tend to mellow you out. It's just too much mellowing for me. I've been trying to keep my regimen as simple as possible, and I've noticed an improvement. Taking too many supplements can just cause all kinds of complications when you're on heavy doses of medication. I'm learning that now.
I still have my Chinese pills sitting in my desk. I haven't tried them yet, and I don't know if I ever will. The formula has cordyceps in it, I believe. I'm curious about the TCM, but I don't really know if it is for me. I want to avoid complications and making the whole thing too complex. However, I do realize that if ginger and cinnamon have helped me a lot, then there must be other herbs out there that will be beneficial to me. I just haven't found them yet.
I've been thinking the social anxiety vitamin might be a little too indulgent of me. I'm not thinking clearly. Social phobia/anxiety has its complexities. Finding the underlying root of the problem is problematic. The SSRIs help to some degree. CBT helps to some degree. Maybe even Emotional Freedom Techniques would work as well, but I never found anything that miraculously cured my social anxiety other than benzodiazepines, which leads me to believe that GABA neurotransmission may be involved in relation to other neurotransmitters. It's a complex web of relationships, the brain is. We haven't mastered it yet.
Anyway, I really hope you start getting some specific answers as to what is wrong with you. Good luck with the EMG. Did the neurologist recommend any type of physical therapy? You said he couldn't explain your fatigue. The causes of fatigue are complex and numerous. I know bipolars can have extreme fatigue, which the doctors can't seem to explain thoroughly. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Possible virus exposure. Adrenal exhaustion is a big one. You can get better with certain herbs, diet, and certain key nutrients. Oxidative stress in the brain could be a factor in fatigue, or not getting enough circulation and nourishment to the brain. Who knows for sure why you are fatigued? I guess an autoimmune disease could lead to fatigue as a symptom. I'm glad you're trying to get some definite answers, so you can deal with it if that's what you have.
I know when I was working everyday (I had a very physical job a few years ago), by the end of the day I would usually have this extreme fatigue, I mean almost everyday. I didn't want to do anything on the weekends because I felt I needed to recover. I became lazy and lethargic. That's not normal for most people. Usually, all someone needs to do to recharge their batteries is sleep and rest for awhile. Then they get up and continue on with their lives. People who have bipolar disorder and schizophrenia find it difficult to recharge their batteries simply by taking a nap or just by being inactive for a few hours. I've always wondered why exactly that happens to these people. Is it a direct result of neurotransmitters that are lacking or are not working properly? Is it that these people are always stressed out so they never truly unwind and forget about a hard work day? Something physical is going on and maybe is affected by psychological factors, but I've never received a good answer as to why it happens. Certainly, if your brain neurotransmitters are working properly and you feel okay, you're not going to experience as much fatigue. I know this to be true from taking Provigil and Ativan. The Provigil works on Orexin cells in the brain which cause a state of arousal and wakefulness, essentially a stimulant effect. Ativan, though not a stimulant, at higher dosages makes you feel at ease with yourself, and so you don't even recognize any fatigue. You just feel relaxed, psychologically and physically. So medical science can manipulate the feeling of fatigue quite well, but perhaps, there are no easy or quick ways of treating the underlying causes of fatigue. Perhaps it would take many months or a year to treat a specific illness with nutrients, diet, exercise, etc. before the symptoms of fatigue start to wane. If medication is the only way, then that would have to do, and many people find relief from medication, at least for a time. Maybe that's why so many people smoke pot. Because when you do, you relax, you don't focus on fatigue, you don't focus on any of your problems. Yet, pot can cause other problems, and personally, I don't think it should be legalized for just anybody. There again, you're not addressing the underlying problem.
Oh, I've rambled enough already. Good luck with your tests. I do hope you find the answers you're looking for because there could potentially be a therapy out there that might be of benefit to you and allow you to live a more rewarding life. I have this feeling you will discover something that helps you just because you are looking for it. Stay well.Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 17, 2010, at 15:53:03
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 17, 2010, at 14:13:34
>People who have bipolar disorder and schizophrenia find it difficult to recharge their batteries simply by taking a nap or just by being inactive for a few hours. I've always wondered why exactly that happens to these people.
It seems like people with bipolar and schizophrenia don't suffer from the fatigue issues until they have experienced long periods of stress as a result of their illness. This was definitely the case with me. Even after suffering from 2 major episodes in my 20s, fatigue was never an issue. Quite the opposite actually, I always had tons of energy. It was not until the physical trauma, surgeries, and chronic stress and anxiety in the absence of exercise that I started experiencing bouts of both mental and physical fatigue.
The only reason why I want to see a rheumatologist is because I also experience muscle stiffness/weakness during these periods of major fatigue. It's as if I cannot get a healthy muscle contraction. I know my depression and anxiety are contributing, but I do not think bipolar depression and anxiety are the only reasons for me not feeling well. I also suspect that being on so many invasive medications has taken a toll on my brain. I'm pretty sure after all my doctor's visits there will be no clear answer for what is going on with me. We just do not know enough about the brain at this point to be able to get to the bottom of many issues that people suffer from. We also have never medicated people as much as we do and we really have no idea what kind of changes the medications are causing in the brain.
That's great ginger and cinnamon are helping you. What kind of cinnamon are you using? Cinnamon Cassia? There is a common type of cinnamon used as a cooking spice that may be toxic if consumed too much. Let me do a quick search...Didn't find much other than some concern over coumarin, a compound in cinnamon, possibly being hepatotoxic. I think you have to consume quite a lot of cinnamon in order to have any chance of toxicity. I wouldn't be concerned about it.
Good to hear from you, I always enjoy what you have to say. Take it easy man.
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 17, 2010, at 20:48:08
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin » Lao Tzu, posted by morgan miller on August 17, 2010, at 15:53:03
I'm using cinnamon cassia, Solaray brand. Don't ask me what it does exactly. I just think it helps me for some reason, perhaps to a certain extent with anxiety. The ginger helps with my mood, but I can find no sources claiming ginger is good for mood. I don't think it is just psychological that these two herbs help. I originally used ginger to calm my stomach because I have GERD (acid reflux) really bad. I need to be on a very high dose of medication for it. Anyway, the ginger, after taking it continuously everyday for a few months, has practically eliminated any bouts of nausea. It is really an amazing herb. I could take that one forever.
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 17, 2010, at 22:57:34
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 17, 2010, at 20:48:08
Solaray is a great brand.
Do you take a good probiotic? That can not only help with digestive issues and gastrointestinal health, but it may also improve mood.
M-
Posted by puravida on August 21, 2010, at 6:45:21
In reply to Social Anxiety Vitamin, posted by Lao Tzu on August 1, 2010, at 10:59:56
I've not had time to read through the thread, sorry, but GABA is a great amino acid that works for me to "take the edge off."
PV
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 23, 2010, at 15:28:05
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin » Lao Tzu, posted by puravida on August 21, 2010, at 6:45:21
I never had a great experience with GABA. I still always felt socially anxious even if I took a large dose. The only thing that helped well is Ativan, a benzodiazepine. Instead of GABA, I had better luck with the amino acid glycine. Maybe it's because I have psychosis. Glycine is supposedly good for that. I actually felt less anxious on glycine, but if you're not psychotic, maybe glycine wouldn't do anything for you. Kava kava helped my social anxiety. It was the second best thing to a benzodiazepine. Careful with kava, however. Too much can cause stimulation. Also with kava, if you take it in the morning, it does wear off by the afternoon, and usually, if you try and take more in the afternoon, you won't get a very good anxiolytic response. At least, that was my experience.
I am a believer in taking B6 if you have a lot of anxiety, and also Niacin or niacinamide is good as well.
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 23:24:26
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin)))puravida, posted by Lao Tzu on August 23, 2010, at 15:28:05
What about l glutamine, it is a precursor to GABA.
Posted by puravida on August 25, 2010, at 6:15:09
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin)))puravida, posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 23:24:26
I only have two supps in my cupboard nowadays: GABA and L Glutamine. Both help me a lot. I got onto the L Glutammine when I was trying to stop self medicating with drinking. And I guess I came to realize that my drinking was due to social anxiety, which never dawned on me since as an adult I am such a confident people person (people say, and I sure am not that when I am depressed!)
Posted by puravida on August 25, 2010, at 6:28:06
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin)))puravida, posted by Lao Tzu on August 23, 2010, at 15:28:05
Hi Lao,
Thanks for the tips. I will try your suggestions. Never had any luck with Kava, but haven't given it a good try.
I have come to classify my anxiety/depression into physical symptoms and emotional/mental symptoms. These supps seem to help with the physical symptoms to calm my body, but don't really help or change my thoughts. BUT they do calm my body so I can address my thoughts. And the GABA/L glut combo do reduce cravings and that panicky feeling when blood sugar drops.
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 25, 2010, at 12:38:20
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety Vitamin)))puravida, posted by puravida on August 25, 2010, at 6:28:06
Hi, how are you? Glad your supps work for you! I also did have a good response from L-glutamine when I was taking Ativan everyday. The two seemed like a perfect combination, a reduction in anxiety, but at the same time sufficient mental energy. Unfortunately, I am no longer taking Ativan, and so glutamine doesn't do much for me any longer. I have heard people say they feel a lot calmer on GABA. I just never had this experience. Taurine and Glycine are more calming for me, but since I am on so much medication, I really don't respond well to the aminos. Glycine did help somewhat with my psychosis a few years ago, but I had to be careful not to take a megadose of it or I would get depressed. Right now, I am concentrating on vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and 3 herbs along with my medication. They do seem to help me. Have you tried Taurine in addition to the Glutamine? Taurine is supposed to help with drinking as well. Are you bipolar? You know, highs and lows? You are an extroverted person? I am very introverted, not very social at all, but this could be part of my personality, but I think it has more to do with the illness. I've been that way for over 19 years, just not a real social person, only when I have to be, but definitely not spontaneously or bubbly. I have some confidence now that I am on medication, but I still shy away from situations where I have to interact with people. I sort of put on a happy face when I have to, but in reality, I am very solitary, except for being around my family. I feel comfortable with them. This illness has taken a lot out of me, but I realize how far I have recovered so far. And hopefully, I'll continue to improve. Thanks for your posts. I enjoy reading people's comments.
Lao
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