Re: Nightmares, anxiety, shaking, depression. Help.

There is usually more to the problem than what is on the surface.  For some reason, and I don't know exactly why, the onset of early darkness makes everything worse.  And sometimes it's bad enough under normal circumstances.  You and I have a lot in common.  I was also agoraphobic and although I wouldn't classify myself as anorexic, when under extreme anxiety I just don't eat becoming dangerously thin.  Anxiety/panic disorders must usually be addressed in a twofold way encompassing both physical and emotional aspects.  If the emotional aspects are not resolved, even though we do everything to properly nourish the physical body, healing will not occur.  It may get better, and become manageable, but there will be no true healing.  Healing from any disease (and especially this one) encompasses body, mind, and spirit. 

Rather than relying on antidepressants that are merely a very poor bandaid, it may be best to seek the natural route, together with finding someone who could help with underlying issues.  All antidepressants do is shut down our emotions, and emotions are an integral part of our life.  The secret is finding ways to channel them constructively. learning how to listen to them.  Our emotions many times are the key to our deepest needs.    The problem is that society has taught us how to shut ourselves off from our emotions and keep them bottled up.  Hence, the reason for why so many suffer from anxiety, panic, and other emotional disorders.  Antidepressants also have dangerous side effects, two of which are weight gain and Type II Diabetes.  In essence, even though antidepressants may be a "quick fix," they are merely a bandaid and no true healing occurs.  Therefore, the initial problem will resurface in the future.  Yes, true healing may take some time, but it is a healing journey, and at the end we can be assured that we have true health and total wellbeing, in body, mind, and spirit.

Believe me, I know the desperation that you speak of.  I have been there.  Maybe the solution would be to find a doctor of naturopathy.  They would guide you in all aspects of healing, naturally.

My Best,

Luella