Does CBD oil help you with your depression and/or anxiety?

@basket case

I'll piggyback on Ginger's comments and give you a second welcome to Mayo Connect. We do offer many different ways to deal with issues on the threads here. I recommend that you read through the comments on this thread about CBD and depression/anxiety when you can.

My experience is that I currently take Citalopram for depression/anxiety, and I use CBD as well. I have had 0 interactions between the two. I recommend that you go to https://healer.com for educational information about CBD, THC, types of dirivities from cannabis and for excellent dosing information. It is a reputable site. Because each bottle, capsule, oil, edible etc. is made by different producers and not regulated, you will have to experiment with the dosage that is right for you. You don't want to take THC as that can increase anxiety if you take too much. THC will also make you high, and it works for pain and nausea primarily. The most effective CBD I have used has a very small amount of THC in it and that works best for my anxiety.

I don't recommend coming off your current medications as the withdrawal will cause other symptoms. If you are doing OK on your Chlolipmarine Hydrochloride, then there is no reason to stop it. I would definitely talk with your doctor about what you are doing with CBD. If s/he is not knowledgeable about it, you can help them learn how it's working for you as you experiment with the dose levels to find the one most helpful for you. At higher dosages I found that I do notice a little feeling of being high, so I came down in my dose to the one that takes the edge off my occassional anxiety.
- Has your doctor determined the cause of your hand shakiness?
- Is it caused by the antidepressant or another medication you are taking?

Please know that CBD may have no affect on your hand tremor depending on the cause. I'm not a medical professional, so you need to ask your doctor about the cause if you haven't already. I use CBD with no fear as it seems pretty benign in overall effects. I hope you find it helpful for your shakey hands. Be sure to check out the website I recommended, and read the posts here in this thread. Keep us posted about your progress and decisions. And welcome again.

Hi Helen from UK and others,

I have been using CBD to reduce my son's anxiety and help to taper him slowly off the other psychiatric drugs he has been taking for years. So far he is doing better (ie less anxiety, perseverative talking) with the CBD than he has done on the poly pharmacy in the past . The plan is to increase the CBD as needed while decreasing very slowly one drug at a time. Why am I doing this? He was having some side effects from the psychiatric medications As far as we know, CBD does not have the side effects in comparison to an atypical antipsychotic eg Risperdal or Abilify or Invega. He developed a slight tremor in his hands, his bone density has been impacted and I am concerned about impact on his liver and kidneys from long term use of these other psychiatric medications. A nurse practitioner familiar with CBD is assisting us in withdrawal from psychiatric meds while using CBD. One thing I notice is that when the CBD starts to wear off after about 5 hours, he starts showing more anxiety and irritability Hope this information is helpful.

Hi Helen from UK and others,

I have been using CBD to reduce my son's anxiety and help to taper him slowly off the other psychiatric drugs he has been taking for years. So far he is doing better (ie less anxiety, perseverative talking) with the CBD than he has done on the poly pharmacy in the past . The plan is to increase the CBD as needed while decreasing very slowly one drug at a time. Why am I doing this? He was having some side effects from the psychiatric medications As far as we know, CBD does not have the side effects in comparison to an atypical antipsychotic eg Risperdal or Abilify or Invega. He developed a slight tremor in his hands, his bone density has been impacted and I am concerned about impact on his liver and kidneys from long term use of these other psychiatric medications. A nurse practitioner familiar with CBD is assisting us in withdrawal from psychiatric meds while using CBD. One thing I notice is that when the CBD starts to wear off after about 5 hours, he starts showing more anxiety and irritability Hope this information is helpful.

Hi, @stephanieann , it is so good to meet you! I have to say, good on you! For being so attuned to your son's needs and wanting to spare him the side effects of Big Pharma.

All medications have some side effects that are worse than others. Everything out there affects each of us in different ways.

I really don't know all that much about CBD oil except what I have Googled or read on here. In my state you have to have a medical card from your PCP, I believe. I do know that there was a bill that passed where a year or so ago children with certain conditions could get the meds they needed so desperately.

Until someone has anxiety or their child has it they do not understand how debilitating the condition can be. I firmly applaud individuals telling their story loud and clear. Anxiety should not be stigmatizing or treated any differently than any other medical condition. To ignore it and not address the symptoms is just as serious to my way of thinking as not taking your insulin if one is diabetic.

Bravo, Mama! I pray that you have influenced others to do the necessary steps and to take action on behalf of their loved ones. I truly believe that you have done so.

Mamacita

@mamacita
I have been living with generalized anxiety since I was a young child. I didn't know about it at the time. When I started therapy as an adult, the therapist identified it. I thought I was just a mama's girl. I was, but when I would have an anxiety attack and my heart would race and my body quiver uncontrollably, it was my mom that I wanted and who soothed me.
Sadly, I am guessing that doctors did not know about young children and anxiety. We were just 'acting like a baby.' My parents certainly didn't know and if they did, I think they would have been of the mind to 'shake it off.' Not because they didn't love me, but because you didn't talk about psychological illnesses.
In reality, my dad had both anxiety and depression. From what I remember and/or understood, it made itself known when my mother was diagnised with terminal lung cancer (non smoker for her, smoker for my dad). His psychological issues worsened after my mother passed. On top of that, he had the starts of dementia and he was addicted to sleeping pills.
So i come by my issues honestly, only I've had NO issues discussing meds, therapy or my symptoms. Two other people in my family also come honestly by it...my son and daughter.
My daughter has shown symptoms of depression. When she was 3, after her brother was born, it got worse. So much so, that when he started walking, she'd throw him down in order to hurt him. By 5 years old, I had her in therapy. She continued on and off throughout adulthood. BTW...her husband also suffers from anxiety. He had a severe attack while driving and had an accident. He had glass all over him and his car was totaled.
They have a beautiful child. Last week my daughter told me she is concerned that her daughter is not happy. This is how my daughter was, too. My daughter wants to take her for therapy, my granddaughter does not want to go. She is 7 now and was in therapy wgen shecwas 4. I am glad my daughter finally noticed because it was something I saw and told her about a while ago. So we shall see. My daughter and son in law are both on meds and doing very well.
Now for my son. He didn't start to show signs if anxiety about 4byesrscago, in his mid 30s. He did go to docs because his attacks made him feel like he was dying. He had every body part checked and they were all fine. He was disappointed with...you guessed it, anxiety. He s awww a therapist and a psychiatrist for meds. He had a HORRIBLE time with the meds. He gave them a goid shot but whatever was tried didn't help. Over the last several months he has weaned himself off the meds. He is doing oils, but I don't remember which ones. He does want a med to take when needed for an attack. The psychiatrist said she would not give him anything unless he wentbon full time, which he won't. She was holding him hostage. He finally got the name of another doc but he has to wsit until January. In the meantime, he only has a few pills left and is afraid to take them and be left with nothing. So what happens? Two weeks ago he and his family were together with friends. He got a VERY severe attack. He didn't want to take a pill. Eventually he did but it was really too late. The attack was one of his worst. We told him NEVER do that again. Take the meds when you need it and if he runs out, go to the ER.
It so sad and I feel so bad that my children and at least one grandchild inherited this much the same way as I did from my dad.
People often ask what happened? What were you doing or thinking to set this off? Too much stress at work? At home? Etc? It doesn't have to be anything, it just is and many people who don't have it or live with it understands. We can't just pull up our 'big girl panties.'
Sorry for such a long response, I am a wordy person.
Here's to peaceful mental health.
Ronnie (Grandmar)

@grandmar , thank you so much! I think you and I were made out of the same bolt of material!

Anxiety seems to run in my family. Hate to say that but it's true. I am hoping that the next generation will be able to withstand the rigors of our society. That they will be proud of themselves for who they are. And not just survive, but thrive.

Catch you later!

Mamacita

@mamacita
I guess I am different from most. I don't get embarrassed by talking about my issues. I guess I find it helpful to hear about others so I hope I can help those who need it.
Truthfully, if my kids knew what I wrote, they would probably be upset. Glad they aren't on the site.