Anxiety drug.

Hello, and thanks for reaching out for support. While I cannot speak to your medication regimen, I will tell you that as brain type 9 you will feel better eating a balanced whole foods diet, eliminating sugar, gluten, and caffeine as much as possible as both exacerbate anxiety. Focus on fresh, organic (when possible) vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, complex carbohydrates like yams, beets, quinoa, and squash, and high quality animal proteins and healthy oils as your go-to foods. See the “Nourish My Brain” tab at the top of this page for healthy recipe ideas. Additionally, you may try the supplement Dr. Amen created called Serotonin Mood Support which can help to lower anxiety symptoms naturally. And for support in processing your experience in combat, I would strongly recommend seeing a counselor or psychotherapist if you’re not already. Hope this helps. Let us know if you have more questions.

I have been in counseling, but, the counselor had to leave her practice and I am trying to find another.  I have found two, of which, I have been wait listed.  The goal with the VA and my civilian doctor is to wean me off the xanax, effexor, and introduce Zoloft.  I have been experiencing a lot of dramatic issues the past few years, and I need to slow down.  Hard for me.  I am a graduate of the Dean Ornish heart prevention program.  Food is medicinal, yoga, meditation, and exercise.  I just need to get into the program, it is been very difficult for me. 

<span style="color: #000000;”>We all need support to make shifts in our lives, so it’s great that you are reaching out. Sounds like you have a lot of good things in place. If you haven’t already, you might explore the  Motivation section of the website (under Focus my Brain tab), which can be another tool when we are needing a boost in energy to treat ourselves well.

<span style="color: #000000;”>And I hear you about needing to slow down. Our lives are moving so quickly, we can all use that reminder. Have you seen Dr. Amen’s mediation audios? You might use them when you are having  a hard time turning the speed down.

http://portal.mybrainfitlife.com/new/strengthenmymind/hypnosis

I will take your recommendations.  I had an appointment with the VA PA for drug administration, and she thought it best that I stay on the effexor  75 x 2, reducing the Zoloft and then reduction of the Xanax to .50 daily, until I feel comfortable with life.  
Is there a way to measure serotonin in the body?  How do you know if you have enough or not?>  
I bring that up since it was determined that I needed Vitamin D, I was drinking two gallons of milk a week, seek out sun like a mad man, and with keeping the Vitamin D levels measurable, I find I do not seek out milk or the sun that much. 
Could the same be said for serotonin?

Yes, your body will no longer “crave” that which it is getting enough of! That’s why it’s so important not to ignore cravings and behaviors, but to learn from them! Your body is always trying to tell you something!
Certainly measuring serotonin levels could be one important piece of information and there are blood tests to measure serotonin levels in the body (a normal range will be outlined on the test). However, as with any one measurement, you do need to take into account multiple other factors, as one could have “normal” serotonin levels but the body may not be able to use the serotonin properly that is in the body, either because of interference of other elements, or not having the optimal amounts where your body needs it most. It gets complicated, so you just have to do the best you can to figure out what makes your symptoms better. Our bodies are a bit of a puzzle, so we often have to piece our optimal health together bit by bit.

Wow, my grandmother would that the body would crave what it needs to keep it going and I believe that.  Well, I will continue with my brainfitlife and then move more gently into my new life transition.  Thank you so much for your valuable input.  
Ray

Does having a fear of hypnosis impede the development from this program?

There are a lot of misconceptions about what hypnosis really is.  Understanding that hypnosis is, very simply speaking, a deep state of relaxation and not mind control or magic, as some illusionists have many believing, greatly helps to dispel fears of using it as a tool for lowering stress and improving brain and body health.

Because hypnosis is a tool for slowing down and being more present with our current mental, physical, and emotional states, some people do have a real fear of it for that reason. When one is more fully present with feelings, emotions, and the like, there is potential for feelings and thoughts to come up that we may not be comfortable experiencing. For this reason, it makes sense that it might be something we have anxiety around doing, especially at first. What I would suggest as a starting point is this:

• Listen to Dr. Amen talk about hypnosis in the  Audio section of the Strengthen My Mind tab to dispel fears and clarify what hypnosis actually is.
• Try just a few minutes of one of the audios, to get a taste of what it is actually like. I think that will dispel much of the fear, and you’ll be able to more fully use hypnosis for what it is meant for, deep relaxation and de-stressing.

Confusion about brain types that were initially formulated, then I was a 6, now I am a 9, what classification name is associated with a 9?  You have a tailored course of action for each brain type.  Will the classifications change as time goes on?
Please advise. 

Certainly as we adapt to new ways of eating, exercising, stimulating our brains, and seeking support, our brains can change! Type 6 and Type 9 are similar in some ways such as getting stuck on thoughts, and having difficulty relaxing, however Type 9 tends to be more emotionally fluid (feeling a fuller range of emotional experiences), so perhaps this is something you were hoping to shift? Interested to hear how you feel you have changed since first taking the assessment.