Anxiety attacks – do they really feel like a heart attack? Is there any med that treats both panic &depression?
My friend gets them all the time lately. He has always been a little nervous acting but lately he’s had to go to the hospital thinking he was having a heart attack. He’s only 22. Sometimes he has such a problem with depression he can’t sleep and will drink several beers until he falls asleep.
I want to give him some good advice. He just saw a counselor today for the first time.. haven’t heard yet what the doc did or prescribed.
Thanks in advance =D
Tell him to stop self-medicating with alcohol…that is one of the worst things he can do. He needs to see his doctor and have a complete physical. There are medications that do treat both panic and depression and his doctor can go over those with him as there are many kinds and some work better for one person and not another.
The best thing you can do for a friend is just to be there. Support them, but do not push them. Listen to them when they need to talk and encourage them to get professional help.
Comments
Comment from Pegs PAC
Time January 7, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Tell him to stop self-medicating with alcohol…that is one of the worst things he can do. He needs to see his doctor and have a complete physical. There are medications that do treat both panic and depression and his doctor can go over those with him as there are many kinds and some work better for one person and not another.
The best thing you can do for a friend is just to be there. Support them, but do not push them. Listen to them when they need to talk and encourage them to get professional help.
References :
Comment from miaanagirl
Time January 7, 2010 at 1:00 pm
He is already taken a good step by seeing a counselor. They can remommend him to a pyschologist who can prescribe him an antidepressant. Most antidepressants help depression and anxiety. Prozac, Zoloft, and Xanax are pretty common for treating this. I wish him all the best.
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Comment from Shmair Face
Time January 7, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Anxiety attacks don’t really FEEL like a heart attack…You just FEEL like you have something fatal…so whatever I suppose is your worst illness fear, you will think you have it. You are convinced you are going to die either way.
I used to get them very frequently until I learned that I was getting them because I held my breath (not on purpose I just wasnt telling myself to breathe) too much and didnt breathe right. Now, have you ever gone under water and couldn’t get to the top fast enough before you felt a little panicky? That’s because when you hold your breath for too long your brain starts receiving messages that you are GOING TO DIE if you don’t get air! Same thing happens when you are anxious about something…you subconsciously hold your breath or only breathe every minute or so…then your brain sends you those PANIC signals. Usually you don’t read them right and instead you just start panicking "I CAN’T BREATHE! I CAN"T Get a DEEP Breath! OH MY Im going to DIE!" And you start trying to shallowly breathe from your chest. This only makes things worse. To get a good breath you must RELAX and try to breathe from your stomach…filling it with air as you push it out…then fill your lungs…as you do this try to drop your shoulders…it works for me.
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Comment from Little Native
Time January 7, 2010 at 1:29 pm
yes some anxiety attacks do feel like and heart attacks
he did the right thing by going to the counselor They might give him an name of a good DR who will be able to help him. He should never never ever mix beer and medicine. As for the medicine they might of prescribed for him is not for you to know that is very personal have you not heard of the HIPPA laws ???? the best thing you can do for him is to let him know that no matter what you will be his friend
References :
retired nurse
Comment from stargazer
Time January 7, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Yes! Mine do. I have almost all the symptoms, nausea, cold sweat, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, pain in the chest, neck, and arm, palpitations, and a feeling of dread. I was taken to emerg three times before I learned to recognize a panic attack.
They can be scary for the sufferer and the people around them.
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Comment from Evelin
Time January 7, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I recently had the worst anxiety and panic attack of my life, and I called 911… they taught me to breathe in for 4 seconds hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for four seconds… it helps… A LOT!!
The only reason people panic, and feel so horrible is because it does feel like their dying, but an anxiety panic attack is not life threatening, it just feels that way.
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Comment from Sherry
Time January 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Yes, some anxiety attacks have the same symptoms as heart attacks.
Your friend took the first step in managing his symptoms by seeing a counselor.
Anxiety is symptom of most depression, and yes there are medications that can help with both. Alcohol is a depressant and isn’t really helping him at all (even if he does fall asleep).
Seems you’re already doing what any true friend would do….:)
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LSW
Comment from Lou
Time January 7, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Medication will mask the problem he really needs to work out the mental / stress issues to fix the problem.
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Comment from farrierswife38
Time January 7, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Yes, you do feel like you’re having a heart attack. It’s a horrible feeling.
Yes, there is medicine he can take. He needs to go to his family doctor and tell him or her what is going on. They can help him. Alot of times people that have anxiety attacks have depression. It throws your whole body system off. But, with the medicine he will start feeling better. He just needs to make sure he takes it everyday, even when he starts feeling better.
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I have had attacks and I had to be put on meds. I’ve been to the hospital several times thinking I was dying. But, now I feel great! The medicine helps.
Comment from John
Time January 7, 2010 at 3:15 pm
What If I Told You Your Next Panic Attack or Anxiety Attack Would Only Last A Few Seconds and That You Would Never Have To Experience Another Again?
References :
http://xrl.us/oo4p8
Comment from william m
Time January 7, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Medications only offer a temporary solution. Why not try a natural treatment, which would eliminate the problem altogether.
You can take a look at this site:
http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com
Hope this helps…
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Comment from Toonces
Time January 7, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Breathing…
To get rid of the attack: Tell him to inhale for eight seconds, then hold for eight seconds, then exhale for eight seconds. then sit without breathing for five seconds. Repeat at least five times. It takes about a minute or two to come back to earth.
I usually get them if I’ve turned into depression. Also, lessen sugars and carbohydrates, too. Cut out alcohol, do non-caffeinated tea before bed. Exercise daily, enough to get more oxygen into the blood.
I have never taken medications for panic attacks. The drug industry want’s us to become dependents, even if there are natural ways to get rid of it. The above worked for me and I don’t get them anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack