After reading about magnesium deficiencies that with my junk food diet I have to have. It made me think of what role diet plays in anxiety and panic. If not primary it must be possibly a secondary cause.

I just went to a new P-Doc and counselor last week. They both asked the questions, Do I smoke, drink, take illicit drugs? and of course it was no to all of them. But neither of them asked a single question about my diet even though I’m noticeably overweight. What if my diet was only cola and chocolates? It would sure be an easy anxiety cure but not many return visits to them. Why don’t they ask about a person’s diet?

My question is are there many panic/anxiety sufferers who like myself have a terrible diet? Also are there any here that have a great diet, exercise, really take care of their bodies yet still have anxiety panic? Thanks
Dave

I agree that diet plays a key role with anxiety. Before this last bout of anxiety/panic my diet was pretty bad. I totally changed my eating habits and am now eating very healthy. I never really exercised much before but am eager to get started once my cardiologist says it's ok! Exercise is suppose to be great for anxiety. I have a really nice treadmill and we're going to get a trampoline. But certainly cut out all stimulants - coffee, cokes or sodas with caffeine, etc. Don't take diet pills! And be weary of cold meds as they can trigger anxiety because they cause increased heart rate and such. Getting enough good nutritious food is important. Follow the food pyramid and limit salt. Many people also take supplements such as multi vitamin/mineral, magnesium/calcium, omega 3 fish oils, etc. I've noticed my body just feels better and is starting to look better since starting this healthy low-fat eating. I won't call it a diet cause really I eat a lot, just a lot of foods that are good for me!

Take Care,
Tori

I have been in excellent shape meaning to the point where I was considering body building competitions and I have to admit when I am in shape I am happier, but it doesn't eliminate the anxiety completely. Exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress, but it can also get your heart rate up and cause you to feel panicky, if thats a word. Anyway, I have been weightlifting again for the last two weeks and it has been really hard getting started again, but I think the end results will be positive. Eating well is the same deal. You can eat well and pay atention to a healthy diet and that will help, but genetically we are all unfortunately blessed with an anxiety tendency that will rear its ugly head when we are over stressed. I think our stress threshold is simply lower than average.

Short answer: It helps, but doesn't cure anxiety and panic. Although, shame on doctors who don't tell this to everyone who walks through their door, because it DOES help.

I have honestly never had a doctor tell me to eat healthier and watch my weight. Interesting huh?

i have come 180 degrees in my lifestyle choices...

~ quit smoking almost a year ago...
~ quit caffeine altogether more then a year ago...
~ even cut out trans fats from my diet completely...
~ eating MUCH healthier in general, including lots more fruits, veggies, only brown rice (instead of white), etc... etc...
~ started exercising (walking brisk pace... about 2.2 miles in 30 mins 4 times a week)...
~ drink 64 - 128 oz. of water a day... (no soda... only natural juices once in a great while)
~ drink 1/2 glass of red wine each evening with dinner...
~ no excessive drinking... no illegal drugs...
~ lost close to 60 pounds...
~ have lowered my cholesterol naturally through diet and exercise to acceptable levels...
~ healthy resting heartrate in the 50's usually...
~ healthy bp range usually 100's / 60's...

and started suffering from anxiety / panic attacks worse then EVER... LoL...
just goes to show i guess...

don't get me wrong though...
i DEFINITELY think diet / exercise is VERY important...
just not always enough i guess...
i imagine i'd probably be in even WORSE shape (as far as the anxiety disorders go) if i WASN'T taking care of my physical health, diet, etc...

Dave, this is the question I've been waiting for!

I am 54 and when I was 25, I started doing hatha yoga, way back before it was popular the way it is with the movie stars now! You'd think they just invented it or something. hehe I even considered teaching yoga.

I have never quit doing yoga and at 29 I joined a fitness gym and have lifted weights regulary at least twice a week since then. I walk 3 miles in the morning and sometimes at night also. I use my elliptical machine when the weather is too bad to walk outside. I ride a mountain bike in the summer on trails, (except for this summer because I'm sick again). I hike and go kayaking, camping, in other words I'm very physically fit and my diet has always been very very healthy. I have the nic name, the health nut! I also have the proper intake of all vitamins and minerals which I monitor. It has however not stopped my anxiety or depression to be in this good of health. It's sort of a bad joke, I think. I'm on my third relapse since turning 40. I do not drink alchohol and I don't smoke either.

I have been having a pity party all summer because somehow it doesn't seem fair to be this sick with depression and anxiety and I have nothing else I can do to improve my health rather than take medication. It's sure a jolt to the ego!

Pysical health helps but doesn't cure mental health. Sometimes that extra med is needed no matter what during times of stress. I never needed meds until the last few months, but I had a lot of rough patches in my life that could have been avaoided.

Cecropia,

Why not start doing all of those things again? That would definitely help you! It won't remove all of your symptoms, but it will definitley help you get out of the pity party and get your body back into shape if it isn't already. The only thing it can do is increase your self-esteem and this can lead to a beter outlook on life. I hope you turn back into that "health nut". I think that is who you are and you should battle so that anxiety doesn't take that away from you.

Take care

Thanks for the pep talk, ocdengineer. I still walk every day and I rode my bike almost every night around the neighborhood all summer, but now the weather is not good for biking. I have gone to the gym only a few times, but I still do my yoga. Depression and anxiety makes me weak and feel like I have the flu, so it's hard to get up and get going everyday, but I do as much as I can and what I feel I can without pushing myself too hard. Going to the gym is the hardest part because I usually do a very strenuous workout with the machines and free weights and I don't know how to back down with my workout and so I get myself overly tired when I'm not up to steam.

In time this will all pass and I'll be good to go for a few more years until the next round...

I feel your pain. I started working out a couple weeks back and found myself having a hard time just with the increased heart beat. I am finally starting to get over the initial sore muscles, but I am still weak. Every time you quit and go back it seems like a bigger hill. LOL. It is good to hear that you are still active. I hope all is well.