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...okay, collective wisdom of SI.

I'm a mom, wife, college student. Unemployed and without health insurance.

I am also currently CONSUMED with anxiety for the first time in 5 years or so.

Exercise isn't helping. sleep and rest are not helping. Overwhelming amounts of school work and dealing with financial aid + my scholarship foundation (who get to dictate my life since they are paying for my education) are not helping. The fact that I am transferring from community college to Big University is not helping.

Trying to do schoolwork at night while FWH works in order to pay child support for OC (he is also a returning student since being laid off) is not helping.

Okay, so enough of that nonsense, you see what I mean.

I see lots of natural, over the counter anxiety remedies, herbal and such, and was wondering what works for you? I exercise (I commute by bike), and eat healthy, which helps, but the anxiety is absolutely consuming me right now.

Any suggestions? Something you bought? Or made?

Thanks in advice.

If you can find it I recommend kava kava. Remember though OTC means no FDA regulation so you never know exactly what you're getting. If that unnerves you go see a doc for a prescription.

Dr. PJ4

I couldn't get my anxiety under control until I started on a very, very low dose of Paxil. I was having heart attack like symptoms.

I understand wanting to be natural, and I hope something works for you.

If the CC has a student health center, try that -- they likely have a counseling center. And maybe a dispensary. The university is very Iikely to have a substantial health center, often with a cheap pharmacy.

I've got Hylands Calms Forte on hand for those moments I need a little help. Probably not a long term solution but every now and again it works for me.

Large doses of Vitiamin D helps with depression and anxiety. I take 5000u a day

Thanks, everybody.

Next fall I'll have insurance, but in the meant time, I mostly just hit my local health food store and treat my ailments with supplements.

I will look into these solutions. You are all wonderful.

Benadryl ~ dirt cheap at Costco...Paxil freaked me out.

Diazepam helps as does IC.

Have you tried OTC magnesium? Its supposed to be "nature's tranquilizer".

((((huge hugs))))

I use a natural relaxant for stress and tension called Valerin. I purchase it online from Wonder Laboratories. This stuff works wonders! I hope this helps.

((((W2h))))

There are a lot of guided imagery/relaxation videos on YouTube. You could try some of those.

Couple of things to add to PJ, get some melatonin, take at bedtime, this helps the stress hormones to balance out. In addition get some Vitamin D, this is often low in adults. St. John's wort can help too.

However if you don't have insurance, and feel you need a Rx medications like ativan, or xanax you should contact Any Major University with a med school &/or hospital associated with it. They usually have clinics that will see and treat on a sliding scale basis for those that are uninsured. The meds should be very low in cost for the antianxiety stuff, these are nonpatented, old meds.
If you get a Rx for something and find it is expensive go to needmeds.org this website has coupons, and other resources that make getting meds cheaper easy. Keep it in mind if you need any Rx while uninsured.

Good Luck, you have a LOT on your plate now, it's normal to have anxiety with that much upheaval.

Not that I can add anything to the suggestions already - i suffered from panic attacks for a very long time and hated it. I was in therapy for a long, long time and one of the approaches that helped me was to know that it would pass, I was not in any danger and that it was a thought I had that created the anxiety. Then, tried to look at my thoughts (kept a log) to see if there was any validity to those thoughts.

Like you, lots of exercise, watched what food I ate, and tried to do some deep relaxation exercises/meditation.

I think the suggestions to try to find some help through the University is a good one - when I did not have insurance, I got OB GYN care through a university as well as therapy through a university. There are also low cost clinics you might avail yourself too.

Best of luck, anxiety sucks!!!