Anyone take over the counter Benadryl for anxiety?

I've come off of so much psychiatric medication and I know the struggle. From Antidepressants to manic bipolar meds... to anxiety ..etc. I've finally come off of all of them. Now my regime is B- complex vitamins, L-theanine, lithium orotate( the healthy one,), magnesium, and flax seed oil everyday... all natural items. Oh..and I do the niacin flush in the morning on empty stomach right before my exercise and this is what works for me. ..but I encourage u to begin to pray to God in the name of Jesus for your healing. Prayer along with the right vitamins and supplements..taking care of your body. Praying for you.

I have been prescribed Hydroxyzine which is a different antihistamine. It helped minimally but works better than Benadryl which has helped me during a very mild anxiety attack. Hydroxyzine builds a tolerance quickly and gave me some constipation issues but it is a good choice for people who want to stay away from benzo’s in my unprofessional opinion.

A question I’ve wanted to ask myself

I am not a Healthcare Professional, but I have been on a lot of different medication for Anxiety/Panic attacks that i try to stay away from. I tried Benadryl and yes it does help reduce some of "MY" physical symptoms, such as the tightness in my neck and dizziness, and increased heart rate and shortness of breath and tingling in my hands.

Yes, it helped with a combo of yoga and exercise for awhile (from the age of 21 - around 30). As I got older it didn't help as much and finally went to the doctor for help. I'm now on Xanax 1mg twice a day and amitriptyline 50 - 100mg at night. I still try to maintain as much as I can without it with exercise and quiet time. Always talk to your doctor if you are in need of help!

I know that similar drugs like Vistaril have been used for anxiety. I have used Benadryl for anxiety and it helps me.

I have anxiety-panic attacks pretty regularly well I had been on xanax two times a day for a little over a yr. About six months ago I noticed with the xanax it got worse n had more panic attacks then when I first started. So I to weaned myself if the xanax n started taking benedryl about three times a day it in my opinion has done so much better been on it about two months and down to only one panic attack period pretty amazing. I haven't noticed whether I will build an immune to it but I know for right now I have not. Hope this helps!

There have been a lot of studies done that confirm TYLENOL actually helps anxiety and I am proof that it does. I will take a Tylenol Arthritis (I have arthritis) and it helps my anxiety for which I cannot take SSRI's as they just don't mesh with my noodle properly. I also use Tylenol Night Time as that has Benadryl in it and this works too. Only thing is, Benadryl lowers your immunity, so don't take it all the time.

I too have nocturnal panic attacks. I take seroquel to help me sleep. I also take hydroxyzine for immediate relief of panic attacks. They usually kick in about 15 minutes after taking them. They are in the antihistimine family and not covered on my insurance. So when money is tight I have taken generic form of benadryl which is only a couple of bucks art the dollar store and they seem to work pretty well. The biggest relief I have found is going on to YouTube and clicking on guided imagery acute anxiety. It's amazing at talking me down from a panic attack. Give it a try and see if it helps get you calm and right back to sleep. Let me know if it helps!

From my experience benadryl does help but, don't expect any miracles. For me .. at best it dulls the anxiety and that's about it. But, on the other hand a big plus for me was that you won't experience the usual side effects on benadryl like you will on prescription anti anxiety meds. Like the dizziness and lightheadedness" not comfortable " lol. Anyways to answer your question. It's worth a try.

Benedryl is not simply an antihistamine! It is a seratonin reuptake inhibitor similar to Prozac and other ssri but it has many more side effects. When it was a new drug it was often prescribed for anxiety, "nerves", and depressive symptoms.

After reading your question I wanted to write something back. I know it's been years since u asked but when I don't have my medication then I use Benadryl for my anxiety. It works enough for me and there really is nothing else to try or that works as good for me. Normally I take Ativan or Lorazepam 1 mg. My doctor does not like them or to prescribe them so I only get 30 for a month. Night time is the worst time for me and normally don't sleep so I take 1 Ativan at night and Benadryl during the day and it's working fine. I asked my doctor if it was bad to take and his only concern was that if I need allergy med's then they may not work because of building up a amunity to the ingredients that stops the allergy. Just becareful how many u take a min a 24 hour period. Hope I helped out some.

Yes this can be used for mild anxiety, But just warn you try not to take more than 50mg per dose this also your body and mind can back fire on you and if that dose is not working you should see a doctor. Have a good day

I have taken Benadryl to help me sleep as well as for my anxiety. It helps a little bit but be careful. If you take too much for too long it can cause you to have nose bleeds. Benadryl is meant to slow down your body and dry things up, meaning your fluids. Your nose would become raw and start to bleed but if you have a humidifier or something to put water into the air for you, then you will have no problems in that area. Try to use a generic benadryl so that it isnt too strong but still gives you the effects you are searching for.

Yes. I take 50-100 mg. if I don't have any medication. it helps only with sleep. not anxiety