CathInfo.com

I suffer from anxiety. Most days, I am completely fine, but every now and then, I take panic attacks. I lose control of my breathing and hyperventilate. Being a hypochondriac, as well as an anxious person, during this spell, I am plagued by thoughts that I am going to take a heart attack/stroke and die.

This last couple of weeks, I have not smoked tobacco - or indeed anything! - as it puts my hypochondria through the roof. I am usually a lot less anxious when I am not sucking Cancer sticks.

This last while, I have been put under considerable pressure to go back on the SSRIs (selective seretonin re-uptake inhibitors). I tried it for a week, but gave up. I felt as though my mind was blunted; I woke up with a hung-over feeling in the morning; and began to develop an involuntary shake in my leg.

Now I am only  pretending to take them, and it seems to have the required effect on those pressuring me to take them. It is a placebo effect by proxy!

The point is this: are there any herbal alternatives to SSRIs?

If you are a medical doctor and wish to private-message me, go ahead.

I read that a mineral deficiency (particularly magnesium) can cause anxiety.  It can also cause twitches and tremors.  You might try taking a supplement.

Years ago I suffered with a severe bout of anxiety I used a product called Rescue Remedy.  I can personally attest that it really helped me a lot.  I just did a search and discovered that it is still available for perchase.  I bought it at a health food store.  I'm sure you probably still can.