My Panic Attack Solution

Alright before I post my question please keep the responses positive. I know there are a lot of people that hate marijuana but this is really important to me that I figure out a solution to my problem. Anyways since I was about 17 I smoked weed 4-6 times a week and absolutely loved it. I would smoke with my friends and it would just be a good time (I played tackle football a lot after smoking a fat blunt!) Anyways I messed with some coke about 2 years ago and it ended up triggering these horrible horrible panic attacks and general anxiety. I was put on the bullshit drug lexapro, was on it till about 7 months ago and I feel awesome to be without it. Anyways I continued to smoke weed these entire time but after my anxiety manifested the awesome enjoyable highs I would get were replaced by horrible anxiety highs (trouble breathing, increased heartrate) So since then I have gone to smoking about 2 times a week max, mostly onyl when I am drunk. Anytime I smoke when I am not drunk it just ends up in a panic attack, but I keep trying hoping to find that lovely high I used to get. I want to know if anyone has any advice or stories on how to overcome this anxiety induced by weed (for the record my anxiety in general is much better, to the point where maybe I will get anxious once a week randomly) I mean i really would be so so so happy if I could just smoke with some friends and the love the time not sit there constantly taking my pulse. If it helps the thing I noticed that sets these panic attacks on is when I start feeling short of breath. I will smoke, get a nice high for about 5 minutes, then like that all I can think about is how I am not breathing properly which turns into a high heart rate and then into a full blown panic attack. I will admit when I smoke when I am drunk I get a nice high and sometimes when I like in a good conversation I will feel good but still a little anxious, so I know that its all mental and not physical. I just cant seem to get over the fact that I am fine and nothing happened last time my breathing was wierd and my heart race was up, but I still panic. Someone please help me I want to feel that great high again!
Sorry for the typos, I should be in bed

man i use to smoke everyday at least 5 blunts a day i just recently stopped(2 days ago) but what usually works 4 me is a nice t.v. show. or you can find a girl who smokes. usually wen i smoke with a girl i become unconcerned with everything else but her. Just relax tho because no1 has ever died rite on da spot from smoking its all in you man

I know that I, as well as a few other friends, have a real true fear of other people getting sick …that results in something similar to a panic attack. Its more than gross – it is scary to us. Something we will go out of the way to avoid. Just wondering if this is classified at all, how common it is, and what to do to help get over it.

this will help you
http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/downloads/phobias_fears/emetophobia.html?1596!y-fear-vomiting

well i want to know that if like the symptoms im feeling are anxiety so i feel like my legs get tingley and then i get thought that im going to die on the spot and feel like i need to breath then i really get nervous and feel like kinda lite headed and like can you die from it and then sometimes i cant sleep i went to the e.r they gave lorazapham and like it chills me down but i dont wantr to rel lie on meds but will meds cure my anxiety and like i feel im going crazy i try the slow breathing technique but i still have thought can i have some suggestions on how to get my mid off of it

meds helped me with my anxity very very very much
but meds is only half way you will need someone to talk to also
i take valium every night and when i start to feel a panic attack going on
obvously stuff is bothering you as it does me and it helps to talk to someone about it so you can get over it best of luck

http://www.realmentalhealth.com/medications/valium.asp

I have agoraphobia and it has really been rough for me. I can’t ever leave my house without having panic attacks. Sometimes, I even get them while I am at my house. It makes my life so miserable. I can’t even get a job or go out anywhere with my girlfriend because of my agoraphobia. I am on Prozac and Lithium for it but it doesn’t seem to help. Please give me some advise!!!

First, let me say you are not alone. I am a fellow sufferer and on the outside I look perfectly normal. I go to work every day and have a full social life. But my agoraphobia has eroded my life because I have so many restrictions. I am afraid of highways, busses, subways, elevators and going far from home. At work, I am afraid they will want me to travel and I don’t know what to tell them. That I’m afraid? It sounds ridiculous to refuse to go a measly one exit on the highway.

I am coming to accept that my disorder is serious and while simple to treat, the recovery is far from easy. Let me share some of my experiences with you. Maybe some of what I will help and maybe not. I am no expert on agoraphobia and I am still suffering from it.

Things that have helped me:

1) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you look at your limiting thoughts and practice "exposure" to things you are afraid. It helps having a calm and caring professional by my side.

2) Online support at www.PanicSurvivor.com. These people have a fighters attitude when it comes to dealing with anxiety. It is by far my favorite community that deals with anxiety.

3) Turning to friends and loved ones. My friends and family have been supportive, although I let them enable me sometimes. My friends have gone on exposures with me and told me to do it.

4) Have a good cry. When I cry and get the feelings out, my anxiety lessens. I used to cry before exposures, which helped me release all the negative feelings.

5) Working with a psychiatrist. I admit medications have not worked for me yet, but I keep trying. Research has found that a combination of medication and CBT works best. However, CBT alone is pretty effective too.

6) Reading books by people who understand. Bourne’s "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" is a classic. Also, "Wish I Were There" is a memoir about agoraphobia. What I liked about the memoir by Allen Shawn is that is realistic. The man still has agoraphobia, but he is coping with it better.

7) Spirituality. I am not religious, but I have come to believe in a Higher Power to make sense of my senseless condition. I don’t think you have to be spiritual. But it helps me to rely on something greater than myself.

Self-care. I am working to eat right and exercise and get plenty of rest. Agoraphobia is stressful and takes its toll on my nerves. When I take care of myself, I send the message that I am important and worthy of love. Love tends to displace panic.

There is a lot more that I do, but I don’t want to bore you with all the details. Google agoraphobia, panic attacks, and anxiety. There is a lot of good information out there. Good luck.

I have been getting sleep panic attacks at sleepovers, mostly in double beds, but not in my house. Only once in my house in a double bed. And it is horrible. It has been going on for a few years and since I have finally discovered what it is exactly I think I need to tell my mum to cure it. But my mum and me don’t get on that well and it is Really difficult to tell her about my problem. I don’t know how to start it at all. The only chance I have is tonight or next Wednesday night because my dad is out so I can talk to my mum alone. So how can i tell her and how can i cure my problem? I’m basically scared of going to sleepovers now and even at my own house. I just want it cured! So please please help me. I’m 13 by the way. Here is my previous question about my sleep panic attacks: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnyXtUHpnQpAEXHqAkcC8WTty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091127151528AA2S8sK

Help!!!

Do not be afraid to tell her .she’s your mom and she loves you
and cares for you getting along with eachother has nothing to do with this don’t be afraid to tell her your family loves you no matter what and it’s not your fault and you never did anything wrong please tell your mom it’s gonna be so easy and it’s gonna feel so good once you say it. You should then after go to a phycjotrist to help you. Your only going to get through this if you tell your mom you have to you MUST she won’t be mad at you and she will under stand so please yell her I hope thos helps and you will get through this

im 14 and i have really server hypochondria. last night i was listen to the radio and they said brain tumor and then i started getting a headache and i found a bump on my head. I always worry about everything, and i have an anxiety disorder and panic attacks. its taking over my life and im sick of it. i am also very afraid to go to the doctor because i think they are going to tell me im dying from some rare fatal disease. the other day i was going to the eye doctor to get glasses and i was crying because i was convinced the eye doctor would tell me i was dying of some weird eye cancer or something. the second i hear of some sickness i think i have it and its destroying my life. how can i cure this hypochondria? and panic attacks?

Root of hypochodriosis is anxiety. And there are quite effective treatment for anxiety, such as psychotherapy and medication.

You should consider talking to your parents about your symptoms and connecting with a mental health professional to further discuss your concerns.

Hope this was helpful.

For accurate and easy-to-understand information on mental health and illness, visit:

http://fitzpatrickconsultation.com

i know there are alot of medicines out there for anxiety/panic attacks,and a few remedies i already know,but am looking for outside ideas from others here on the net,any answers welcome,but also would like to hear from fellow internet users that deal with anxiety/panic attacks. Also wanting to hear about other methods other than prescribed meds to cure or relieve chronic back pain,ive had it for 6 years now,most recently reinjured in a car accident which we flipped car 3 times,in june 6th 2005.thanks

There are a few different ways to control panic attacks. I’ll give you a couple of short answers here, if you want more email me and I’ll tell you more.

The first is called box breathing. It realeases calming chemicals in your brain. You blow all of your air out and take a slow deep breath for 8 seconds. You actually want to be sucking in the air for a full 8 seconds. Then you hold it in for 8 seconds. then you blow it out slowly, for 8 seconds. Let it all out. Repeat ten times or until you are calm.

Another way (my favorite) is to focus on things. For instance your arm. You would take your right hand and place it on your left arm and just feel your arm. While you are still feeling your arm notice what your chair feels like under you, touch the chair, just to feel the solid. Just keep feeling things around you. What this does is takes you out of your head. Panic attacks occur in your mind, so if you get out of your mind and focus on your physical surroundings the panic will pass. You can focus on whatever you want as long as it is a physical thing. The point is to get out of your head. This can also be combined with deep breathing.

One last thought. If you feel one starting to come on you could put on a movie that is funny or comedy central or something like that. When you start watching your focus changes and laughing releases chemicals that will make stress go away.

been having anxiety attack/ panic attack like symptom and migrane only when I am trying to fall asleep..or sometimes middle of my sleep.

I visited a doctor. The acupuncturist told me that my lung is like narrow.. that’s why it makes me difficult to like breathe or something, causing the symptoms of attacks when I am laying down..

what causes it? how can I be cured? are there vitamins? or minerals?

I hope the acupuncturist isn’t the only doctor you saw. You may need some medication to prevent panic attacks. You should get a second opinion.

I set myself up for them, and love how it feels initially; but when the rush stops, I’m left curled up under my blankets crying like a child.

I regret it now, and I feel as though my paranoia has quadrupled because I started instigating these attacks.

I can’t seem to find a direct cure for this, any ideas?

(The whole "OLOLOLWUT jus stop, LOLOLOL" thing isn’t working.)

Wow.You need help.I have anxiety and panic and its petrifying.From the sound of it that is not what you have.It sounds more like bipolar One second your high and really happy and in your own world and the next minute your down crying.You really need to get seen by a doctor and or a psychiatrist and get put on meds

I don’t suffer from panic attacks or anything like that but there is always a background anxiety in me that is basically constant but mild.

It is like an impending sense of doom, like I always think something bad is going to happen, like I will be hurt by someone or suffer a disease. I also get nervous when socialising with people and around strangers afraid that someone will judge me or criticise me.

It is not affecting my life in any major way as it is only mild but the fact that it is almost constant is getting me down and a little depressing.

Also, as it is mild I don’t think I am a candidate for drugs or anything like that.

Anyone else have a similar problem? Any tips or steps for curing it?

It doesn’t seem to have any apparent cause it is just constantly there.

o ealthy Coping Styles Unhealthy Coping Styles

-exercise -alcohol or drug use
-down time for selfcare -avoidance of event
-balancing work and play -procrastination
-time management- initiate schedule -overeating

* After identifying stressors and coping styles, you can begin to modify your behavior.

o Be aware of your physiological and emotional reaction to stress.

o Recognize what you can change (your reactions to stress, internal thoughts).

o Utilize healthy coping skills.

o Incorporate good coping skills into your repertoire, increasing your options.

o Practice healthy coping skills daily even when intense stress is not present (this prepares you for times when you may feel overwhelmed).

* RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

o Recognize what activities you consider relaxing.

o Be specific when exploring your options:
–going for walks
–meeting with friends
–reading for pleasure
–listening to music
–taking a bath

o Be realistic about the amount of time that you can dedicate to "downtime".

o This time should be incorporated into your daily routine.

o Remember this is called BALANCE- not be used as a procrastination tactic.

o Begin practicing relaxation techniques
–meditation
–guided imagery
–deep breathing exercises
–progressive relaxation (muscle relaxation)

o Decide which relaxation technique works for you and practice daily.

o Find several techniques that work for you so you have an array of options.

* STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

BODY:

o Along with improving your ability to relax, you must assess diet and other strains on your body.

o Aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety up to 50%.

o Good nutrition (a well balanced diet) will improve your ability to appropriately respond to stress.

o Get an adequate amount of rest each night.

o Reducing caffeine intake will help you manage your anxiety (2 ½ cups of coffee doubles the epinephrine level).

o Smoking cessation is important, as nicotine is also a stimulant.

o Biofeedback techniques can help up to 80% of migraine sufferers.

o Acupuncture has also shown promise.

MIND:

o If you have multiple stressors (deadlines, increased responsibilities), you must prioritize your time.

o Initiating a time management schedule remains a positive way to reduce stress and anxiety.

o Break large demands into small, manageable parts. Work through one task at a time.

o Do what needs to be done first, leaving other things for tomorrow.

o Identify your goals and work toward them.

o Take direct action when stress arises- identify your needs and articulate them; Be intentional about what you can do.

o Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings concerning the stressors in your life.

o Develop a support network to rely on in times of need.

o Remember to be kind to yourself and not dwell on the "shoulds".

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

o Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff New York, NY: Hyperion, 1997. Carlson, R.

o The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook Oakland, CA: New Harbinger, 1988. Davis, M., Eshelman, E., & McCay, M.