1. WELCOME
Welcome to Trust Newsletter for May. We have quite a few new subscribers this month and I just wanted this opportunity to say welcome and thank-you for signing up. I've made this newsletter to hopefully be a place to receive articles, inspiration, news and information straight into your inbox on a monthly basis, and also for the subscribers to share anything that they wish to. It's an open newsletter and anything submitted to me whether it is an article, a poem, your story or just the things that have helped you.
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2. MAY ARTICLE - St Johns Wort (Hypericum)
This month in the message forum a question was asked about ST Johns Wort. I didn't know very much about it, so I thought I'd do a little research. I learnt a lot and thought it was a great topic for the newsletter.
It seems with anxiety disorders there is no clear-cut answer or cure. Certain things work very well for some people and don't work at all for others. I would never recommend that you cease taking any anti-depression medications if they are working for you, or if you are getting any benefits from them, also as you'll read below, there are precautions about stopping meds and going on to SJW. If you are thinking about trying it, in any circumstance, it is always good to consult a doctor. And last but not least- never ever stop medications on your own without consulting a medical professional.

ST JOHNS WORT DESCRIPTION You can buy St Johns Wort in most health food stores, no prescription necessary. It comes as tea, capsules and sometimes- liquid form. Most people use the capsules. As St Johns Wort is a herb and is sold in this manner, it hasn't gone through the regulations and testing that most medications do. Also due to this, there isn't a large amount of independent research done on its effects. It has however been used for hundreds, perhaps thousand of years for certain health problems through out the world. St Johns Wort is a shrubby, perennial plant with yellow flowers. It can be found in the wild and is harvested for it's active ingredient- hypericum. In some people, research has shown that St Johns Wort can be helpful to people with anxiety, depression and insomnia. Like some other anti-depression medications St Johns Wort can take between 1 and 3 weeks before you feel the benefits. It is also recommended that you try it for up to six weeks before you switch brands or deem it unhelpful for you.
SIDE AFFECTS- it seems from the research that has been done St Johns Wart it has very few side affects and none of them very serious. Some that have been reported are:
Sensitivity to Sunlight- occasionally people have found that they do burn easier while taking SJW. Because of this it is recommended that any person affected should stay away from tanning salons and beds as well as sun baking. It may also be a good idea to wear decent sunscreen and good sunglasses.
Skin Rash- this has been reported in some users, SJW just like all other substances can cause allergic reactions in some people. If skin rash occurs stop taking SJW and see if it clears.
Fatigue- in this circumstance it may be good to adjust the time of day in which it is being taken.
Stomach Upsets- stop using SJW if this occurs. Just like with any substance if any side affects occur that cause concern, please seek medical advice.
CAUTIONS- St john Wort should never be taken without correct medical advice from a practitioner in the following cases. If pregnant or nursing- There is still not enough known about SJW to know the effects on the unborn child or if it is passed through breast milk. If you are on particular medications- it is always recommended that no matter what medications you are on you should first seek advise before starting on St Johns Wort. Some medications in particular such as various heart, anti depressant and HIV- AIDS medications are known to cause problems when taken together with SJW. Please consult a doctor.
Bipolar / Manic depressives- While SJW has been found to help in some people who suffer from depression; it isn't so much regarded for people who are bipolar. Again medical advice should be sought for such people thinking about taking it.
DOSAGE- it is generally recommended that you take 3 pills (300mg) each per day. So a total of 900mg. Some people prefer to start off on a smaller dose, and some people who have a smaller frame only need two pills (600mg). The best thing to do is to take note of all labels, do a little research and even see a naturopath for the best advice. Some pills can have different potencies- it is often best to spend the extra money and buy a good brand. Different people react in different ways- to different things.
There are quite a few options out there that may help with anxiety. It can certainly be a frustrating hit and miss to find the right one. Often though through persistence- we can get there and find the right tools and help for us personally. Good luck. J

3.NEW TO TRUST
This month I have added a few new things to the site. One of the things I'm most excited about is the new Message Forum. I hope it becomes a place for people to ask questions and find support. Please use it anytime. I have also added information on what can be done on a day-to-day basis to help anxiety, and Trust is now an affiliate with Barnes and Noble. All proceeds that go to me through the Trust Bookstore will go towards upkeep and improvement of the site and the beginning of a mailed newsletter. I am interested in hearing about any books that have helped you with your anxiety. They can be anything from spirituality, relaxation to self help books. Also any cd's that may have been helpful, especially relaxation and motivational ones. They all can be added to the bookstore and I'd like to make quite a comprehensive list if possible. If you'd like to email me- my email address is trust_web@hotmail.com

MAY INSPIRATION
'At the bottom of every one of your fears is simply the fear that you can't handle whatever life may bring you………if you knew you could handle anything that came your way, what would you possibly have to fear? The answer is nothing……… All you have to do… is develop more trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way'
Susan Jeffers (Feel the fear and do it anyway) ………

MAY AFFIRMATION.
'I am willing to relax and let go. I'm learning to accept those things that I can't control.' (BOURNE, The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook)

DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE TRUST NEWSLETTER AND WEBSITE?
If you have an article, poem, story, panic tip even a quote that you have found insightful- absolutely anything that you would like to add to the newsletter please email me. Soon I also hope to add a recovery page to the web site. On this page I hope to add tips and the things that people have found helpful with panic and anxiety. If you'd like to get involved just email me what has helped you and why and I'll add it. If you would like anything to remain anonymous for both the newsletter and the website just write the word anonymous either at the beginning or end of your piece. Eventually I'd like the Trust site and newsletter to be somewhat of a community in which people can become involved in the articles and other information. The more we share the more we often learn. I am also looking for people willing to spend half and hour, to an hour, each week hosting a chat. Due to my current schedule I have been finding it difficult to host them. To host a chat all you have to do is commit yourself to being there on a weekly basis at a set time. Nothing else is needed; it just helps people to know that there is someone there at a particular time. Often when people log into the chat room, if there is no one there they leave straight away. With this system it becomes hard for people to catch up with each other. You don't need any special skills or requirements to host chats, just be in there and if someone comes along- chat. J Email me if you need any questions answered or if you'd like to get involved in any of the above trust_web@hotmail.com

. MAY ANXIETY TIP- INSOMNIA
Many people with anxiety problems also have sleeping problems. A good way to help yourself be ready for sleep at night is to allow yourself about half an hour's sunlight in the morning. Even on the dullest day the outside sunlight is much brighter than inside. Perhaps eat breakfast somewhere outside. This is best done relatively soon after you wake up for the best results with your sleep. Another good idea is to write in a journal before sleep. This helps to work through your feelings and problems during the day in a constructive manner- compared to in your thinking while trying to get some sleep.

THANKS
Thanks for all who have contributed to the Trust site this month, and thank you for subscribing to the Newsletter. I hope it has helped some. As always email me anytime and I hope that May is the month in which you either get, or continue, on the road to a full and speedy recovery.