Will St. John's Wort Help Me With My Depression And Phobias About Going Out In Public?

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Question: Will St. John's Wort Help Me With My Depression And Phobias About Going Out In Public?

Hi, my name is Charlene, 32 years old, one child who is 4 years old and I live in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I have been on Cipramil for 4 years now and Rivotril for a year.

I have been seeing a hypnotist as a last resort after seeing psychologists and psychiatrists and not getting anywhere. The only problem is my medical aid is refusing to pay as I entered into this medical aid with what they call a "pre-existing condition" and now they only give me ex-amount per annum for anything associated with anxiety which isn't nearly enough!

I now owe a large amount to the hypnotist and a large amount to the pharmacist for my past few months Cipramil etc. and I don't have the money anymore to carry on like this, being a single parent, etc. I also suffer from phobias, like going in a plane, a crowded supermarket and a passenger in a car. I feel unsafe if far away from home and start to panic, get heart palpitations and start to hyperventilate.

I finished my last Cipramil tablet today and still have a few Rivotrils left, but don't have a cent to carry on buying more. I am going away with my child and friends next Wednesday, 22 September 1999 for a week and am already worried sick about being a passenger, getting little sleep which worsens my condition and being away from home. What can I do?

I heard that you cannot take St. Johns Wort together with Anti-depressants, as the Panic Society here in Johannesburg told me it has proved fatal at times. Can I just take St. John Wort maybe and nothing else or what must I do?

When I am not on the tablets I get so on edge and miserable and very tired! I cannot keep taking my moods out on my 4 year old little boy as he doesn't understand, nor does my boyfriend and friends, when I get so irritable and feel like just jumping off the nearest cliff.

Please help and advise urgently!!!!

Thanks a mil!
Charlene

Answer #1

Hi Charlene,

I am in a similar predicament to you except that I tried taking St John Wort (for 3 months). I have to say that I have noticed very little change to my anxieties and I have to conclude that it can really only be used if you have minor anxiety problems. I don't think it would work for what you have described. It is also not cheap. Sorry I cant recommend anything else for you to take. I think you will have to find a way of staying on the Cipramil.

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