About 3 months before she first consulted naturopathic physician Deborah Frances, N.D., of Grants Pass, Oregon, Susan suddenly began having anxiety attacks while visiting a relative.  According to Dr. Frances, Susan reported a racing heart, terrible fear, and a "feeling like my soul is being sucked out of me." She added that her anxiety was easily relieved if she got distracted by something else.   Susan's medical history revealed childhood neglect and emotional abuse and the traumatic loss of a highly supportive younger brother that left her feeling "devastated." Since the birth of her son several years earlier, Susan had recurrent fears of and nightmares about danger to her newborn, sudden loss of her husband, and images of inexplicable invasion. During her interview with Dr. Frances, Susan wept as she described a "deep grief and longing to return home" to her childhood residence. At the time of the consultation, Susan was taking Xanax, a conventional antianxiety drug; she also indicated that she had undergone years of psychotherapy.

Next she gave Susan a mixture of Rescue Remedy (an emotional first-aid preparation made from several flower essences) and the herb Oplopanax horridum, to be taken at least 4 times daily (2 drops each dose) and as additionally needed for anxiety. Dr. Frances prescribed this herb (often given for blood sugar disorders) because she knew it could help Susan develop a more self-confident psychological attitude, enabling her to "stand up for herself effectively, appropriately, and even fiercely," says Dr. Frances. In her view, anxiety is often associated with feelings of disempowerment.

About 5 days after starting these remedies, Susan reported she was feeling relief. Dr. Frances added homeopathic Phosphorus to Susan's program. After a month, Susan was much improved, being better able to deal with the anxiety surges when they arose and no longer waking in the mornings filled with anxiety from her dreams. Around this time, the conventional physician who had prescribed the Xanax, began reducing the dose. Several weeks later, Susan told Dr. Frances she was continuing to improve but had discontinued the Piper Methysticum because she disliked its taste and smell, and felt unexplainably afraid of it. Dr. Frances interpreted this information as indicating Susan was ready for the next stage in the prescribing. Dr. Frances put together an herbal formula to help release Susan's nostalgic attachment to and loss of personal power in her childhood. The herbs included 2 parts each of rose, passionflower, oat, and lemon balm, and 30 drops of sagebrush; the entire mixture was to be taken 3-4 times daily, 10-30 drops per dose.

After about 6 weeks on this formula, Susan told Dr. Frances that her anxiety was steadily decreasing. The nightmares about her son and husband had stopped and she no longer felt the strong grief and longing for her childhood home.

.