My Panic Attack Solution

Comment from mollyflan
Time February 12, 2010 at 7:22 pm

Go to your doctor and get treated for anxiety disorder and panic attacks. He/she will give you a prescription that will really help.

In the meantime don’t drink anything with caffeine because it can trigger a panic attack. Do some deep breathing – you know, in with the good air, out with the bad. Get some exercise……run around the block, ride a bike – it will help. Drink some relaxing herbal tea or have a little brandy.
References :

Comment from diakouma
Time February 12, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Don’t stay alone make a call phone just to be with friendly voice.
And don’t give up to make the things even if you are afraid of it.
References :

Comment from inspector9320
Time February 12, 2010 at 8:04 pm

panic attack is a sudden rush of overwhelming fear that comes often without warning and without any obvious reason. Intense anxiety may develop between attacks because of their unpredictable nature. This persistent fear is a symptom of panic disorder.

A panic attack is a common symptom of many anxiety disorders.

A panic attack can be very frightening but is not dangerous.

The symptoms often include a sense of unreality, feelings of impending doom or fear of dying.

Panic attacks arise most commonly between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can develop at any age. Twice as many women as men are affected by panic disorder. At least 1 in 10 people have occasional panic attacks. Incidence of chronic panic disorder is approximately 2%.

Without treatment panic disorder and panic attacks may lead to phobias, depression or substance abuse.

Panic attacks can occur with or without agoraphobia. Recurrent panic attacks i.e. panic disorder, may become associated with the places in which they occur. As the individual attempts to avoid these situations agoraphobia may develop.

Many people experience a very occasional panic attack and do not seek medical help. However often people with panic disorder will seek help from their GP who will refer them to specialist physiatrist or psychotherapist.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, drugs or a combination of both, will prevent panic attacks or reduce their frequency and severity in many people.

Drugs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. The tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were the first medications shown to have a beneficial effect against panic disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are now the most commonly prescribed drugs. Significant improvement is usually seen within 6 to 8 weeks. TCAs and SSRIs are equally effective, and choice is determined by side effects. SSRIs should not generally be prescribed to the under 18s, although fluoxetine can be prescribed if specialist advice is obtained. TCAs are avoided if the patient is thought to be at risk of suicide. Following initial presentation, 30 -75% patients relapse when medication is stopped and some patients may require repeated episodes of drug treatment or require long-term maintenance treatment.

Benzodiazepines produce almost instant symptom relief, but they are addictive, which limits their usefulness. Diazepam (a Benzodiazepine) is usually the drug of choice, given in single doses for very short or short courses (up to four weeks).

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) combines two types of psychotherapy cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It is based on the theory that most emotional and behavioural responses are learned and the goal is to unlearn unwanted responses and learn new ways of reacting to the situation. CBT aims to change an individual’s thinking patterns that lead to feelings of intense anxiety and feelings of panic.

Behaviour therapy aims to gradually reduce the fear of the individual by gradual exposure to the cause of anxiety. Combination psychological and drug therapy may be more effective both in the short and long-term than either treatment alone, although more data on this is required.

Research has shown that panic disorder exists together with other disorders, most commonly agoraphobia, depression and drug and alcohol abuse. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of co- existing disorders is important to successful treatment of panic disorder.
References :
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=277&sectionId=11

Comment from Flywheel
Time February 12, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Providing a doctor agrees (and probably will), a subscription of 20 or 40 mgs of Paxil (paroxetine) should level off your anxiety. That’s the primary purpose of this medication. A 20-mg tablet (the size of an asprin) per day has worked wonders for me. As far as cost … $11 at a Target or Wal-Mart pharmacy (without insurance) for Paxil’s generic–paroxitine. I’ve taken this med for about four years now and what a difference it has made.

Really, all you’d need to do is go to a walk-in clinic and tell a doctor just what you said here. Then in several weeks you should feel like a new person. Sound simple? It was just that simple for me!
References :
Also, if you have sleep issues you might try a wonderful over-the-counter product … Melatonin. It is simply a supplement to what the body naturally produces to induce sleep (babies produce plenty of it … adults usually not enough). I usually get the two-for-one specials at Wallgreens or CVS Pharmacy. Take about 2 hours before bedtime and you’re ready to peacefully drift off. Absolutely no groggy effects. I certainly would recommend trying this before resorting to something like Ambien (been there, done that … and I don’t recommend Ambien unless absolutely necessary).

Take care, and good luck!

Comment from xenophilic
Time February 12, 2010 at 9:18 pm

My standard post on anxiety follows: See anxiety treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this, and consider carrying a wide rubber band in your pocket; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards. Practise one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, (you can claim to have a headache, as you massage your temples, if you like) on pages 2, 2.q, and 2.o a good tryout, to see if it helps you. A direct to it is on page 3c, where starred * Panic attack treatments may be found on page 8.
References :

Comment from I_Love_McRedneck
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:05 pm

I don’t know that anything OTC will help. The problem is that if you leave your anxiety untreated, it’ll sometimes turn into agoraphobia.
I take Cymbalta which is WONDERFUL but I pay through the nose for it. I also take Klonopin which is pretty cheap. I just started another med for when the panic attacks get really bad and my daily meds don’t work – it’s actually an anti-histamine. All that does really is knocks me out, but it stops me from feeling like I want to crawl out of my skin to get away from the situation. I felt like a complete idiot, sitting at the doc’s office, shaking and in tears because I couldn’t handle the anxiety.
Therapy is key – I guess we’ve gotta face our fears to truly get over them. That’s going to be so hard because I have no clue why I’m afraid. I can’t even be around my family without getting physically ill.
See your doctor and be honest, you’ll be surprised at how much better you can feel.
References :

Comment from paned*expressions
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:28 pm

I’ve had panic attacks about death since I was a little kid. I learned to stop them myself by distraction. As soon as the thoughts start up and before the panic can rise, I IMMEDIATELY start reading a book or whatever’s handiest at the time, even if it’s an ingredient list on food or a bottle of shampoo or something. If nothing’s there to read I start singing. I focus all my attention on whatever is it I’m using as the diversion. The distraction short-circuits the panic response and I’m fine within 5-10 minutes.

I’ve never taken any meds for this.
References :
27 years of personal experience

Comment from Mickeytopdog
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:06 pm

Here is a suggestion that just might work. for your anxiety. Since from your other quetions you are not fond of pills. You might find this form of meditation helpfull

First get the following things:
A picture frame with a black backing and a Small yellow candle.

Then each night just before you go to bed and you know you will not be bothered Turn out the lights and place the candle directly in front of the picture frame. The frame with the black backing acts like a dull mirror and wil direct your anxiety out and away from you.

Make yourself comfortable and Sit in front of the candle and focus on the flame as it is reflected from the frame.

Try to look past the flame and imagine all your fears being absorbed by the flame. Feel your fears melting away and floting away in the smoke. As you are doing this feel a sense of peace work it way through your body starting from your feet filling you until it tops off at the top of your head. feel the peace’s Warmth. Feel it gentleness. Let it relax you. keep this going even as you blow out the candle and make your way to bed. Once you have reached your bed and covered yourself in your favorite blanket let that sense of peace reach inward as you close you eyes. Sweet dreams

Let me know if this helps ok
References :

Comment from Rich B
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:43 pm

The program at http://www.PanicBook.com is very good and you can do it at home on your own pace. It really helped me overcome my panic attacks.
References :