How do you cope with panic attacks?
921550
Go to your Dr.,he has medicine that can help with anxiety.
609932
I've had that problem for three years, but I've got it under control now.  They're called panic attacks, and they're REALLY scary.... sometimes, you can trigger one just by THINKING about it.  Do you get nervous when you think about how scared you feel when you get nervous?  It's a scary feeling, I know.  Start by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth when you start to feel like that, and then think about something that makes you happy and remember that YOU ARE IN CONTROL.  It doesn't work right away, but pretty soon you'll get to know yourself in this situation well enough to know what works for you, how long to breath right, what to think about to make yourself feel better, and everything else!  Whatever you do, don't just sit there and let it happen... they'll get worse.  Think happy thoughts and take yourself away from the situation, read a book or a magazine, watch cartoons... cartoons work the best for me.  Don't start thinking about scary things, about life, and all the bad things that can happen.. and honey, you are NOT a freak.  This is normal, hundreds of thousands of people have this problem.  Eventually, you'll get them under control.  Good luck and if you ever need to talk, feel free to email me! ♥
532792
Life is full of these cruel ironies.  Like the one maybe implied by your question--the more you want to get rid of panic attacks the more you will get them.  If you are relatively unconcerned about them then they will probably pass quickly.  \n\nI went through a period of panic attacks.  I thought that I was going crazy and wanted to go back in time to when I wasn't.  It took some time (I hate to admit years) but I got through the other side a stronger and better person.\n\nPanic is basically a strong fear response.  Used to be good when we lived in fear of bears and other such stuff.  You need someone who can help you with the attacks and your fears.  Hopefully a specialist if you can afford one.  If not there are tons of good books you could find at the library or Amazon.com.  Hope that helps.
207874
Panic attacks are a pain. My son gets them all the time. I got him counseling and a good psychiatrist. The counseling helped him deal with his frustration, and the psychiatrist was able to prescribe medication that controls it.\n\nPanic attacks are caused by a brain chemical imbalance. You're not crazy... you just feel that way for a while. What happens is that a normal brain puts out seratonin to make you feel like you can solve your problems, that the world is pretty much okay, etc. But in people with panic attacks, their brain puts out another chemical to kill off the seratonin. So you feel like the world is not right and that you're fighting a losing battle. The medications prevent that second chemical from killing off the seratonin, so in the end, you feel normal. These medications don't make you feel doped up or sleepy or anything like that. They make you feel NORMAL again. They're called Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). \n\nAsk your doctor about them. I definitely recommend getting them from a psychiatrist rather than from a regular doctor because a psychiatrist is an MD who specializes in problems related to emotions. That's the best person for this. You aren't going crazy. But sometimes it sure feels that way.\n\nAnxiety is a different but related issue. For that, you can take tranquilizers, which work in about 20 minutes. The SSRIs are not addictive and they take about two weeks to kick in. But the tranquilizers can be addictive, so take them only when really necessary. Your best bet is to take an SSRI and then use the tranquilizers only when your anxiety pops up, which should be way less often when you take the SSRIs.
437603
I also have a panic disorder.  I totally understand you.   Learn all you can about panic disorder.  There are some excellent books out there that are easy to understand and get through.  The more you know about what your body is doing the more you will come to understand this disorder in time.
1171677
If you really want to talk about it, you can E-mail me. I've been suffering with anxiety and panic attacks since I was 20 yrs. old.\nTherefore I know alot about it. jaymeadowjay@yahoo
273312
I was diagnosed with panic attacks and they are truly horrifying. I really sympathsize with you because most people who haven't had one think "you can talk yourself out of it."  I was prescribed Paxil and valium but the side effects of the Paxil sounded just as bad as the attacks. This sounds kind of silly but it helped me to use products containing Lavender. At bed time I use a lavender room spray for my pillow and lavender bubble bath etc. I thought it was silly when someone told me lavender contained a natural calming effect but it has helped me a lot. Plus, I got rid of the most stressful thing in my life... A creepy ex boyfriend! Good luck to you and remember that us worryworts usually make  mountains out of a molehills!
1131919
Concentrate on your breathing.  If you start to panic, just start thinking slowly about your breathing, breath in and out again, and in, and out, do this slowly, don't take huge breaths or fast breaths, just in and out.  Then think of something happy, something that you enjoy, do NOT concentrate on what you are panicking about, say if you are anxious because of all the people, don't sit and stare at them, or think about them at all.  If you have to, go into the bathroom and imagine that you are somewhere else, vedge out for a minute until your nerves get calm again.  \n\nI would also suggest talking to a doctor, they can prescribe medicines that you can take when you first get that panicky feeling, or even before you get into a situation that you know you may feel anxious about.  This stuff has worked for me, I have found that I can breathe my way through just about any panic attack, I haven't had one in about seven months now.  Try it, and seriously, talk to your doctor.
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.
317350
When someone is having a panic/anxiety attack,remind them to take slow deep breaths. In through the nose,out through the mouth,and have them breathe into a paper bag or have them cup their hands and breathe into them.\nAlso talk in a soothing ,calming voice and let them know that it will soon pass. Most attacks,if gotten under control,usually pass in about 10 minutes. If the person is not familiar with the symptoms of a panic attack,or is not taking medication,this can sometimes be difficult to get their breathing under control. This is the most important though,because it is what causes them to hyperventilate,increase their heart rate,and if they panic too much,they start to have the same symptoms that mimic a heart attack. I have more info if you need personal advise. You can contact me through YA from my home page. ZOYA
878949
Hi there,\nMy name is Alison, 21 (22 this Thursday) and have been suffering with Panic disorder/agoraphobia/health anxiety/OCD for four years and have had my fair share of panic attacks!\n\nYou've probably heard about the paper bag technique, breathing in and out slowly until the attack has subsided, I find breathing into my hands as useful too. The idea behind this is that  when you panic you overbreatheas you take in way too much oxygen and your carbon dioxide levels decrease rapidly, casuing you to feel faint, dizzy, insane etc. The idea is to regualte the your oxygen and carbon dioxide levels agin.\n\nWhen you breath into your paper bag it is important that you breath out slowly, so that your carbon dioxide levels increase. Breathe evenly and try not to hyperventilate too much.\n\nThe way you think can make your panic attack worse too. My therapist gave me some information that says that it only takes three minutes for your body to recover from the effects of panic, but when we think wrongly and catastrophise the cycle of panic is allowed to continue needlessley.\n\nDr Claire Weeks advises in her book 'Essential help for your nerves' that overcome you panic attacks and anxiety you have to accept you symptoms and don't add any secondary fear. By that I mean, when your attack first strikes, (primary fear) don't keep adding the classic 'not again!', 'what if' and 'i'm going to die'  thoughts, (secondary fear) and instead think, 'Ok this is a panic attack, i'm going to take control and allow this to pass.' Actually let your body do it's worse to you, don't tense up and think the worst, just tell yourself that the moment will pass.\n\nAccording to Weekes the key to overcomming anxiety is acceptance.\nShe advocates a four step programme to overcomming panic:\n\n1.FACING: When faced with a situation you feel uncomfortable with don't run away, stick with it!\n\n2.ACCEPT: Accept that you feel panicky, by telling yourself you don't want to feel this you makes yourself more tense. Accept all of your symptoms, let your panic 'do it's worse'.\n\n3.FLOAT: Rise above the situation. No matter how bad it gets, tell youself that your going to get through this. Carry on with what you are doing.\n\n4.LET TIME PASS: Of course you want your panic attack to go away immediately, but you can't rush it. If it takes a couple of hours for calm to return again, then that's the way it has to be. Just tell yourself you are going to gain control and get better. \n\nThis technique does take practice, but it does work. I was terrified of choking and so ate alone, since beginning thearpy, and using this technique, I've begun to eat downstairs again. Even when I feel panicky and tight chested, I never run away, I take my time to eat my meal and allow panic to be overcome by confidence.\n\nI've gone on for too long I hope it helps. The Claire Weeke's book is brilliant. Maybe you should get a copy.
269093
Panic attacks run in my family and I can tell you that I feel your pain. The worst part is not knowing all you can know about them. If your not into meds, and need immediate relief. I know this sound so silly but take deep breaths and pretend its just waves from the ocean... most important know that it is a panic attack and it will pass. Your not crazy. I was on Paxil Cr for them and it seemed to help alot. If your gonna go for a relaxing fast fix, stay clear from the xanax! The are a quick fix but will really make it worse..I can promise you that. Valium is better. I would see your doc asap. I stayed in my house for seven months 10 years ago for fear of having another one which is called agoraphobia. Don't let it go that far. Last don't let Dr's push you into something too strong. Remember they make bonuses on all the meds they can get down your throat. also check for sexual side affects on you meds many have them and it's no fun. hope this helped some.    kimbeecool
736629
Chat with your doctors and or hospital.  I go to a free stress class to help with depression, anxiety, and stress.  I have had a heart attack.  Also you might want to contact a threapist for one on one threapy.  I am also happy to be alive and not feeling depressed.
770831
Just stay frosty and breathe. When you suddenly get anxiety attacks, tell yourself to breathe in and out deeply at a steady rhythm.   Clear your mind before you go to sleep. Remember, real great men know how to empty their minds when needed.\n\nAcceptance is another strategy. You can tell yourself to accept whatever happens and that everything will turn out fine. All the water in the world can never sink a ship unless it gets inside. So stay afloat and just go for the ride.
1087431
First of all there is no majic pill or wand to wave to make the panic attack go away. There is a better way. Pet Therapy has helped a number of people with different problems.  I would recommend a service dog. If your doctor or therapist wrote you  a letter needing a service dog, would your manager let you have it? He would have to because the laws states so. The links should help you. or contact me.\n\nYou need to learn to control your panic attacks and anxiety. No one has ever died from panic attacks even though it feels like it when you are going through one. Learn to rate them and know the five stages of panic attacks before it gets to a full blown panic attack. Every one has level one. Some have level two. The trick is learning to stop it before it gets to level 5.
99032
I have a friend and a sister who both were suffering from panic attacks.  Interestingly, both started therapy and were prescibed Paxil by their psychiatrists.  Neither ever had a nother panic attack.  There are very effective drugs to help people control panic attacks.  You should talk to a professional.  I think you should make an appointment so that hopefully you can avoid having another attack.  When my sister had her attacks, she said it felt like there was a giant weight pressing down on her chest and that she couldn't breath.  I'm really glad that she doesn't have those anymore.  Good luck to you.
222123
Panic attacks often mimic heart attacks. That's why they can be so darn scary. But it's better to go to the hospital just to be sure. They would rather see you there with a panic attack than to have you second-guess and be wrong. Are you male or female? Often doctors don't take female symptoms as seriously because they think only men get heart disease. If you wake up in the middle of the night trying to catch your breath, you may have sleep apnea. That's when you stop breathing for several seconds and up to a minute. This can cause heart problems. So talk to your doctor about testing at a sleep clinic. (Do you snore?? That often accompanies sleep apnea.) I know it's frustrating to go to the doctor so often and to find nothing wrong. To learn more about panic attacks, go to the link below. You can also do a search on sleep apnea. If you think it could be panic attacks, there are medications you can take to control them... the SSRI class of medications. Talk to your doctor, or better, to a psychiatrist. That's a medical doctor with special training in emotional issues. They can diagnose conditions and prescribe appropriate medications. Good luck. You will be fine.