I drink alcohol to ease my panic disorder.  Can anyone relate?
115227
You are starting on a never-ending-circle. You panic, you drink, since alcohol is a "downer" you buzz, but then you come down, get depressed, then panic about getting depressed or because you drank. Do you see where I'm headed? I've been there-done that. Please seek anxiety medication from a licensed medical professonal.
1035948
This depends on a lot of factors.\n\nYou need to look at the ingredients in the sleeping aid and check them for reactions with alcohol or any other medication you might be taking. One excellent site is www.healthyhealing.com.\n\nI would recommend refraining from much alcohol use as it can contribute to your feelings of anxiety and agitation.\n\nMany herbs can be obtained in an extract (liquid) form either with alcohol as the agent or glycerine. You might want to investigate that option as well. I used CalmChild by Planetary Formulas when my children used to have trouble because they would get wound up once in a while.\n\nOther suggestions:\n\nTry and set as much of a routine as you can ... even if you travel on your holidays ... get up at the same time eat at the same time, go to sleep... try and stay as close to normal home as possible.\n\nMaybe incorporate a nighttime tea time into your routine. There are many herbal teas which can be calming. (stay away from black teas which contain caffeine if you have issues with caffeine). A nice cup of tea and a book or magazine can help relax your mind to let you drift away.\n\nLook into the possibility of a relaxation tape or CD you could bring with you. Test it out before you go.\n\nInvestigate whether you MIGHT (keyword might) be able to use melatonin or 5-HTP to help. Lack of Serotonin can cause sleep issues.\n\nGet alot of physical movement -- walk, ride a bike, etc and be outside. \n\nGet sun (but stay protected).\n\nhope this helps.\n\nbest\n\ncez
131611
It really depends on the person and why they are having them. I have a panic disorder and Post traumatic stress disorder so it is a serious medical condition for me. I need xanax to get through the day sometimes to keep me from having a panic attack like crazy. For that person they feel like they are going crazy and they are in constant pain. It makes me not be able to breathe and my heart races. I usually have to lie down and am afraid of everything. It is very serious for some. But some people have a better control over it.
314922
I been on that stuff.It's great for anxiety and panic attacks--but a bitch to stop...cause you'll have the cravings....the symtoms can range from severe anxiety (worse than the anxiety you had before the Xanax ) aches &pains,insomnia,restlessness,depression,and the worst SEIZURES. So yeah,best to check into a detox....or be extemly monitored by a doc who will continue to reduce your dose. well, good luck, I feel for you totally!
605256
Interesting! I don't think modereate alcohol consumption can affect "performance" so I would suggest seeing a doctor about it! Are you sure you are not under a lot of stress at the minute?
279606
As far as lowering your social phobia is concerned, alcohol tends to do a good job of that for most people. Plus it's available at every grocery store and won't get you killed as long as you just drink beer and don't drive drunk.
463881
Yep I get a massive migraine after drinking alcohol.  I think it shuts something in my system down.  It's just not good to everyone.
766777
What a load of tripe.\n\nI enjoy a drink when I go out, but I dont drink to get drunk, I drink because I like the taste and it helps me to lose my inhibitions - and not because I am 'conscious' of the people around me and not because someone has died nor because I want to forget something bad has happened, but because I WANT to -  however, I have never been so drunk that I havent remember what I got up to the night before, nor have I have been so drunk that I wasnt in control of myself   -  (but even if I had - thats my look out).  \n\nI think the only time people make fools of themselves when they are drunk (or even sober) are when they become aggressive and/or verbally abusive - anything else (i.e. dancing on tables, on the podium, singing etc etc) is just fun (and who needs drink to do that - however, I think it can enhance your performance lol!!)  and I dont think these people make fools of themselves - life is meant to be fun - what YOU find fun might not be someone elses idea of fun   -  live and let live, as long as no one is hurt then its alllllllll gooooood!!!
451432
Being alone.  I try to surround myself with people that I love at all times. I'm on the phone, on the computer....all the time. I have panic attacks when my children get sick for fear of living my life without them. Don't know why really. I think it was brought on in the last couple years when my mother got caught up in methamphetamines. I haven't had a mother ever since. Some questions are better left unanswered.
1001029
I started suffering from panic disorder after my father's death - I heard this can happen after a traumatic event.  I had them for 5 years, tried all kinds of medications until finally they put me on xanax.  That is the ONLY thing that worked for me.  I did get addicted and had to get help to get off (as I was on them for so long) BUT if the panic attacks came back, I would go through that again if I had to - the xanax addiction -- because panic attacks are absolutely horrible.  I said to someone that had them "yea, you feel like you're going to die" and she said "no, you know you're going to die" -- she went to the ER with every single episode.  People - unless they've had them can never ever understand as the feeling is unexplanatory.  I feel for you big time and hope you can get some help quick for them because I FEEL YOUR PAIN.  People think panic attacks mean you are panicked over an event but that isn't the case - they come on at all times and for no particular reason.  I'm glad you brought this up.  It might help people who don't understand, understand how serious they are.  BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.  As for the xanax - it is worth it - just not too many doctors wanting to give it out.
1069749
Some people might criticize the way I handle stress, but I think it's very healthy.  Rather than playing it cool and denying that I am under stress, I yell, curse, and throw things.  I don't do this around others though.  The point is that I acknowledge my feelings.  If times get really hard, then I find that a nice drink helps, LOL.
81707
I have had panic attacks since I was 17, I'm now 23. There is a book that helped me understand how to relax myself and deal with these attcks. Its called the Anxiety and Phobia workbook by Edmund J. Bourne. \n\nSomething I have noticed that has helped tremondously is to excercise. If your not a gym person, I recommend walking at least 30 mins a day.
663683
don't stress, it's just going to make you feel awful about something you can't change.\n\nit happens.  i drank fairly heavily a few times before i found out i was pregnant and my baby is doing just fine.  we had our 20 wk ultrasound the other week and everything measured out fine...it's a boy!\n\ni had the same concerns b/c i had been doing shots of Jack Daniels with friends one night and another night i had at least a 6-pack or more of beer.  i had even gone to the tanning bed a few times, too!!\n\ni talked to the dr about it and she assured me it was o.k. and not to stress, so i'm telling you the same thing!!\n\nif you're still worried, then talk to your OB about it at your next appointment.\n\ntake care and congratulations!
1005569
In a word:  NO\n\nI think your friend's story of a man having an accident the day after he stopped drinking is pure coincidence.  Alcoholic problems are usually described in the sense when drinking effects (poorly) other areas of your life.  So if you are talking about drinking in excess before you go to sleep and likely suffering a hang over or having not enough real sleep, it will likely make it very difficult to perform your job the next day.  \n\nStudies have shown that drinking a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away.
982329
Sounds like the cocaine triggered a panic disorder. I get mild cases of these if i smoke weed sometimes. Takes a couple days for me to recover. Time should help. Continue with the meds and maybe take up meditation. Good luck man, I wouldn't wish panic disorder on my worst enemy.
702876
noooo hun you're ok... you'd know if you were ruffied which i'm assuming thats what you're thinking.. you just drank to much.. eventually, you will start to remmeber bits and pieces of the night it may take a while but you will.. and no you will not lose the ones you love.. honestly if your that concerned you dont have to tell them anything.. what they dont know wont hurt them.. if you need to tell someone then tell someone you dont know.. but honestly, i think you're gonna be ok.. i dont think anyone put anything in your drink, i think you just dont remember most of the night. it happens to everybody.
906216
a small glass of sherry will calm you down! always did wonders for me before my exams!!