While paxil is considered by many to be the most effective antidepressant in masking the symptoms of depression, it also has the most side effects, as well as the worse withdrawal symptoms (with effexor running a close second).

(2) You know you need something, but you know enough about paxil to stay away from it. You're looking for an alternative. Congratulations! You'll be the envy of many who read this!

(3) You're taking paxil but the side effects are too painful or else it isn't working anymore (or never did). No surprise here. With over 450 side effects to choose from, paxil offers a real smorgasbord of pain and suffering. Anxiety and depression are both side effects of taking paxil!

Also, according to confidential company documents of GlaxoSmithKline (the maker of paxil), results of the company’s own clinical trials show that the drug increases the risk of suicide.

The results show that about one out of every 60 people on paxil attempt to commit suicide, compared with one out of every 550 people taking a placebo. This means that the risk of committing suicide while on paxil is nine or 10 times greater than the risk on a sugar pill.

This information was broadcast last year by BBC, (the British Broadcasting Company) which subsequently received close to 1,400 e-mail reports and over 5,000 telephone calls mostly from people who had suffered drug withdrawal symptoms and thought they were alone.

Taking paxil is risky business.

So what are the paxil alternatives?

The alternatives to paxil for depression.

Here's a list of seven actions you can take to help relieve your depression instead of taking paxil:

• The following substances all lower the level of serotonin in the brain by impairing the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin. Consider reducing them, as appropriate.

  (1) Cigarette smoking
  (2) Alcohol abuse
  (3) High sugar consumption
  (4) Overconsumption of protein
  

• Exercise regularly. More than a worn-out cliche, over one hundred clinical studies have demonstrated regular exercise to be at least as effective as antidepressants in fighting depression.

• Change your mindset. The vast majority of depressed people are pessimists. Optimists very rarely get depressed.

• Consider taking quality nutritional supplements. Almost every depressed person has some sort of nutritional deficiency. Almost any nutrient, if lacking in the body, can lead to impaired brain function and depression. The most common are folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Consider a natural antidepressant such as 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or a botanical such as St. John's Wort. Caution: before taking St. John's Wort as a paxil alternative, notify your doctor. Taking paxil along with St. John's Wort can lead to an excess of serotonin.

• Check for hypothyroidism (low thyroid gland function). Depression and hypothyroidism often go hand in hand. Interestingly, one of the best things you can do for hypothyroidism is to exercise regularly.

• Develop a daily relaxation, meditation, or visualization program.
  

  
  

  
  

  The alternatives to paxil for anxiety.

  • A common denominator of all who suffer from anxiety is elevated blood levels of lactate. Also, the ratio of lactic acid to pyruvic acid is higher in anxious people. An excess of lactate and lactic acid are caused by:

    (1) Caffeine (studies have shown that simply eliminating coffee can sharply reduce anxiety in most people.)
    (2) Alcohol
    (3) Sugar
    (4) Deficiencies of the B vitamins niacin, pyridoxine, and thiamin.
    (5) Deficiencies of calcium or magnesium.
    (6) Food allergies.

  • Consider taking kava as a natural paxil alternative.

  • Read about the underlying emotional and mental causes of anxiety on the anxiety page.

  The options considered here are starting points. Many alternatives to paxil exist, and you don't have to suffer from the effects of paxil.

  Caution: If you are currently taking paxil, do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. Many users experience severe withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit paxil.

  Consult your doctor before engaging in these paxil alternatives!

  It's also important to understand the underlying causes that would lead someone to such a painful place.

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