Q. At 17, my husband was diagnosed with severe recurrent depression and anxiety. He's been taking Klonopin and Serzone (2mg daily) for 9 years, and has just been informed that the mental health center he's being transferred to will not prescribe either of these drugs for him. He's been instructed to detox before they look into other medications for him. So far, so good. But the withdrawl symptoms are slowly worsening as he progressively lowers his dosage. He tried to get off Klonopin after the first two years, but the doctors put him back on it when the withdrawl symptoms didn't improve after three months. They told him that the withdrawls should be over and that this is likely how he was without the medication. But through recent online research, he's read about other patients with the same symptoms lingering for up to a year. Their advice was to stick it out. Of course this is expected since he is essentially addicted to Klonopin. Since he was so young when he was diagnosed and has made great progress through therapy, we're seriously considering trying natural alternatives to prescription drugs once this is out of his system while keeping up with regular psychotherapy. We've heard about Amino Acids and GABA(which Klonopin affects) and would like to know if this is something that could work for him. Is it safe to start taking now? Or should he wait until he's completely off the medication? Exactly what would you recommend? Please advise.

A. Taking GABA while tapering off Klonopin may have unexpected results, so I would stay away from GABA until after he is off the Klonopin.

A general amino acid supplement (rather than supplementing single amino acids like GABA) would not be expected to have any adverse effects if taken within the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. He can get similar effects by increasing the lean proteins in his diet (eggs, soy, etc.)

I would make sure he stays away from St. John's Wort until he is off of the Klonopin, as they can interact.

Some other supplements that he might consider are flax oil, calcium/magnesium, and a b-complex vitamin.

Review some of my other archived columns for further dietary recommendations.

Pam