Complete Idiot's Guide to Conquering Fear and Anxiety

Page 265Abusive parenting and other trauma also seriously deplete the brain of serotonin and set the stage for potential serious psychiatric illness. Dr. Michael Norden (BeyondProzac) suggests that the following problems arise directly from low serotonin levels:Increased irritability, aggression, impulsivity, violent suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, and sexual activityGreater likelihood of chronic pain, seizures, hypoglycemia, and insomniaCoping with Trauma's AftermathRight after the shock, what can you do to help yourself? Here are some suggestions:Don't be alone and especially not at home. If you live alone, try and get a friend or relative to stay with you.Talk about the event with others. This will help you get over the initial reactions.Try to do strenuous physical exercise to burn off some tension and anxiety.Avoid or at least restrict stimulants that will further agitate you, like cigarettes, tea, coffee, chocolate, and cola.Try to eat even if you have no appetite.If you are tossing and turning and unable to sleep, get up and do something relaxing, like reading, knitting, computer games and the like, until you feel tired. Try anherbal combination of kava and valerian root, which you can buy at the health food store, to ease you into sleep.