Does anybody know if reducing alcohol intake will lessen panic attacks?
927981
Yes it does, along with caffeine too. I use to suffer from them to the point of having agoraphobia. I am happy to say that I no longer have them anymore. That is without any types of drugs too. I know from experience that it does help.
772240
I think that the blacking out and heart speeding/slowing are definetly anxiety attacks/panic (to some degree) attacks. \nAll of the things you just decribed can be attributed to stress, whether it is just a persistent small amount you deal with daily or a huge amount that was just dropped on you. \nEither way, you may want to see a doctor as that would be the quickest and easiest solution.\nIf you want to try some home remedies first, try taking a day off from doing anything. Stay at home and take a warm shower, sleep late, do yoga, take a walk.\nIf the weather is nice and not that cold by you yet, you could try doing a jog in the morning before going where you need to go. Excersize helps release stress and you'd be surprised how much a habitual 10 minute walk can help you.
390524
there are lot's of ways to handle panic attacks. First is to remember that you are not "crazy" or "making it up in your head". They are a result of stress and sometimes stem from a traumatic event. I think that it's always good to see someone you can talk with like a counselor. Also deep breathing can be really helpful, 10 deep breaths slowly. There is a Bach's flower essence called Rescue Remedy, it's found in most natural food stores. A few drops under the tongue can be helpful. Just remember to stay in your body and ask for help. Good luck and good work being brave enough to ask for help!
1148458
I can so relate to you. I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) with panic attacks and used to be agoraphobic because of them. Going to sleep is not going to help them...the best thing you can do is face the attacks. As frightening as it may be to do this, it is the ONLY way. Unless of course you plan on sedating yourself with some sort of med that's only going to hide the problem.\n\nYou conditioned yourself to be this way, you can condition yourself to not be this way. Grocery stores were a major problem, I couldn't shop. Hubby had to do all of our shopping. However, one day I made myself go in and I bought one item...got through the line and left. Full of panic....felt like I was going to pass out but instead of the normal "What if..." self talk, I replaced it with "So what..." self talk. Then the next day, I went back in and I walked down as many aisles as I could...and purposefully brought on an attack and made myself go through it. OMG, how freeing was it to remain, facing that attack, and NOTHING horrible happened. I didn't pass out, I didn't have a heart attack, I didn't lose control or make a fool of myself. I continued this for about 2 weeks..sometimes buying something, sometimes just browsing...and finally after years of a self imposed prison..I went out grocery shopping all by myself.\n\nWhile shopping may not be the issue for you......facing any of your fears or what causes the panic is what will set you free. If you need to talk, email me. Good luck.
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.
305481
Yes, I already have IBS, but I find that drinking alcohol excessively worsens it. I haven't tried to lessen it, but I would imagine that having food with your alcohol, and drinking lots of water would help...
176565
Depends.  If you have generalized anxiety...like just being worried all the time, therapy should help...and you won't need medication. \nIf you have what I have, which is anxiety disorder w/panic attacks...see a psyc who can give you meds in conjunction with therapy.  I've always been a worry wart...but over the past year I've had quite a few actual panic attacks...that are very scary when you first have them.  I can be sitting, doing absolutely nothing...not worrying about anything..and withing 5 mins be shaking, feel like I can't breath, lightheaded, dizzy, a absolutely terrified...for No reason.  That's a true panic attack.  Of course, stressful situations don't help...but usually I don't even have attacks in those situations.  At this point...I can feel when one is coming on, know I'm not dying, and pop 1/2 a xanax.  It's so helpful when you have the true attacks.  If I didn't have meds, I would sometimes pass out from the fear of the attack itself.  Get some help accordingly :)  Good luck!
1112230
I have had panic attacks also and I have an anxiety disorder.  I think that if you work on it that you can make it completely go away.  I am getting over mine and I have the same problem that you have where it is less and less but not completely gone.  \n\nYou could try medication and then eventually stop.  That might be just the thing you need to make it completely stop.
1113891
Heres a tip that might help - most alcoholics are deficient in B vitamins. If you stop drinking it would be a really good idea to take a B complex (must be a complex) vitamin each day for a little while. This will help with depression and mood swings, which you will probably encounter.
633245
well i suffer from agoraphobia with panic attack disorder i lived with this problem 10 years before going to the doctor but they put me on paxil and xanax for aniexty. if u have ful blown aniexty attacks u need to go to the doctor for some medications because eventually u will were urself down mentally trying to control them. i find it very helpful at least now i can live a pretty normal life again. good luck to u
69617
I have panic attacks and I don't think it's just now that they are getting worse. They can be pinpointed now, there is more coverage on it now. Things like that. I am a very anxious person. Not anxious excited. Anxious nervous. The smallest things can make me panic. Going to the dentist does. Sometimes just traffic can do it to me. I am however a weakened person. I have other health problems that add to my fragilness. I think that is a big factor for me.
934831
I found this, hope it helps\n\nWhile perhaps 10% of children will have a panic attack, about 1-2% will develop Panic disorder. \n\nOf those that do develop Panic disorder, 10-35% will recover and remain well the rest of their lives. At least 50% will be mildly affected years later, and the rest will have chronic Panic disorder for years. \n\nIf you follow-up children with panic disorder, about 25% will still have it years later. Of those who continue to have Panic disorder as they go into adulthood, many will develop other psychiatric difficulties. \n\nAbout 50% will develop agoraphobia, 20% will make suicide attempts, 27% will develop alcohol abuse, 60% will develop depression, 35% will believe they are unhealthy, 27% will not be financially independent, 28% will make frequent outpatients visits, and 50% will be show significant social impairment.
158244
I had anxiety problems once in awhile and I just told a doctor. He gave me medication for any time the feeling accured. I also learned that when I had anxiety attacks, which wasnt often, to breathe in a paper bag for awhile. The carbon dioxide you breathe in, with less oxyagen in you system calms you down. Hope I helped you out. advise, see a doctor for sure.
383153
panic attacks can be controlled with medications (such as antidepressants) and professional counseling (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy). Successful treatment reduces the number and frequency of panic attacks, decreases the anxiety that accompanies the fear of future attacks, and improves the quality of your life.The most common treatment for depression includes the combination of antidepressant medicine and psychotherapy (called "therapy" for short, or "counseling").
244702
It depends on your level of anxiety. If it is minor, exercise, mediate, see a therapist. If you have horrible panic attacks (like I did) you need to take some medication to get your mind straight so you can work on the issues that are causing your anxiety with a therapist.\nGood luck sweetie!
463977
First and foremost pray and then start looking for information to help you with anxiety attacks because the Bible says Seek and you WILL (not may) find .Believe me, having been through anxiety attacks I know how motivated you are to get help. I believe you will get help and I am on your side in the battle.\n\nIt is very important to do this with the guidance of a trained Psychologist or Psychiatrist but there are ways to cope with this problem without medication in many instances.\n\nOften panic attacks are the result of some kind of psychological trauma. In my case I almost died from a heart problem. Most of my life I have not had them but when I did they were doozies. You must guard against incompetent Medical people. In my case the Dr. prescribed enough of a drug in the same class as Valium (can't remember the name now) to sedate a horse. These drugs do not address the underlying problem although in some severe cases may be necessary. The benzodiazapenes such as Valium and Xanax are addictive. The only drug I take now is a drug that regulates the heartbeat.\n\nBe particularly careful about the Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Again in extreme cases they may be necessary and regardless always go with a Doctor's advice(just make sure they are competent). What I am stating is my own opinion derived from personal experience but it is well founded since I am well now and was at one point a basket case. I had a very bad experience with Zoloft, promptly quit and don't need it.\n\nHeres what I found:\n\nDon't laugh, but many times anxiety attacks are caused by hyperventilating. When you hyperventilate you are actually changing the chemical composition of the blood. It is a vicious spiral because the more you get anxious the more you hyperventilate which makes you more anxious ad infinitum. I am not talking about conciously hyperventilating but rather hyperventilation you are not necessarily aware of, basically improper and shallow breathing. A good site that explains it is http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/anxiety/christine/treatment_breathing_techniques.htm\n\nSometimes if you will slow the rate at which you breathe and breathe from your diaphragm, you can mitigate your anxiety. Babies breathe from their bellies, adults and sometimes even children breathe in a shallow manner not extending their bellies out as they take in a breath.  Due to the excessive levels of stress all around us we become desensitized and don't even realize how much we have been affected. I remember going out into the country and for awhile the extreme quiet got on my nerves until I got used to it and then what an incredible good feeling came over me.\n\nThere is another technique for dealing with the acute portions of an anxiety attack. There is a book by Dr. Claire Weekes called Hope and Help for your Nerves. She talks about the 4 stages (1 Facing 2)Accepting 3) Floating \n4) Letting time pass . I highly recommend that you purchase her book . For me, the facing part is acknowledgeing that even though you feel as if you will die and it is extremely uncomfortable , you will not likely die. The accepting part is just acknowledging that since you will not likely die you can accept your condition. This becomes easier as the severity of the attacks begin to lessen. 3) Floating for me was a process of stepping outside of myself and observing objectively what was going on 4) Letting time pass is facilitated by realizing that the attack will diminish over time . This realization allows you to become occupied doing something else. I am by no means  a trained Psychologist but the techniques worked for me and I am definitely well now and I think it is possible you will be too. \n\nOh and be sure to get a complete medical workup. Sometimes anxiety attacks are realted to a thyroid condition or mitral valve prolapse.
249095
The fact that you are having panic attacks in a few weeks after reducing the dosage is consistent with you not having enough medication to treat the condition.  It usually does take a good 4 to 6 weeks to know whether the symptoms will return or not.  It sounds as though you are eager to be off of the medication.  \n\nOf course it is possible to deal with panic attacks without medication - biofeedback, cognitive therapy and other methods have been shown effective.  Sometimes people say they can deal with the panic attacks as long as they know that's what they are and not a heart attack or some other serious problem.  If you want to stop the medication, I might suggest that you select a period in your life when things are relatively calm and managable, rather than during finals week or in the midst of divorce or other stressful circumstance.\n\nFor now I would discuss with your doctor the idea of going back to your old dosage, and if you want to be off medication, make a plan on how you should step down and what you might do instead of the medication.  Good luck.