i tried many things before i succumbed to medication, and nothing really worked although willpower, breathing techniques and meditation worked for awhile, i would have to take the occasional time out to get myself together, but only once a day on average, it wasn't until my stomach started acting up that i couldn't keep it going. maybe someone else has a better idea, or this will work out better for you than it did for me.

Medication is simply a tool. Some of the anti-depressants used to keep anxiety levels manageable work quite well... with little to know side-effects. One that I'm glad to be off of is Paxil. It had many side effects and is difficult to 'come off' of. It took me years to try medications. I tried the St. Johns Wort, therapy, will power, breathing, etc. I too was afraid to take the meds. But since being on them, all the other techniques work so much more better. Sometimes we need that extra help the meds can offer, especially in dealing with the 'anticipatory' anxiety... the dreaded period in between panic attacks.

I couldn't take antidepressants as my horrible experience with lexapro made me too afraid to try anything else. Xanax worked well for me but after awhile I just felt too tired and achy all over, so I stopped taking that and will only take it now if I'm having a panic attack. I recommend the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund Bourne. It has helped me tremendously. I have utilized several of the non-medicine methods described in the workbook. Since reading this workbook and doing a lot of the exercises I have had very little anxiety and when I feel the anxiety coming on I know what to do to make it go away. You can refer to my profile to see what I have tried and what has worked for me.

Nothing worked for me until the meds. Then doing workbooks and mind over matter , breathing techiniques and a "routine" all helped so much more.

Exercise helps me, walking, talking, spending time with friends and family.