What are some ways to deal with panic attacks?
I recently had a "breakdown". I had a lot of negative stuff hit me all at once. My husband took me to the e.r. and they monitored me for about 9 hours and released me advising me to seek mental health. I contacted my local mental health board the following work day and spent a few days in a wellness center (not a mental health hospital). I was medicated with Lexapro but it is costly. I don’t have an appt with mental health again for some time and even then it will just be an intake interview. My delimma for the time is are there any effective "home remedies" for panic attacks. I suffer from tightness in my chest, heart beating fast and nervousness. I had a panic attack yesterday an took a 0.5 xanax but I would prefer not to take something like that. I recently lost my job (another major stressor) and don’t have the money to see my family physician at this time. I just need a few pointer to help with the panic attacks until I can see someone at mental health to hep with medication…
Wow I am sorry to hear of your many scary occurences in your life. I had panic attacks in my life not now but I think you have to get your system to calm down. So here are a few things: Personally a hot bath made it worse for me.. wierd but true
I wrote in a journal about everything that was scaring me – just write it all out and no matter how much time it takes just keep writing everyday.
I think that once you start processing these things it will start to get better. Go for a walk if you can
Try and meditate and just sit quietly
Don’t touch any stimulants like caffine or pop just eat as healthy as possible. Drink water. Try and hit the library and read up on the panic attack issue lots of books out there on it. Make sure you take time for you. I don’t know if you have kids but do your best to have as many burdens lifted for awhile from you. You need to heal. Take care and good luck you can do it.
Comments
Comment from Magician
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:01 am
Used to be on Effexor for anxiety & depression. Withdrawals from sudden stopping were very stressful. Each time I tried I ended up back on Effexor within 1-2 weeks.
Eventually tried a homeopathic version of SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine). ‘Clinical Studies have proven Sam-e to be more effective than prescription anti-depressants, yet Sam-e has absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS and it’s not addictive’.
When people suddenly stop anti-depressants or anti-psychotics there is a strong chance of unpleasant or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Best to taper off under medical supervision. Drinking and ‘meds’ are a bad mix too.
By the way, there is no solid scientific ‘proof’ that brain chemistry imbalances ’cause’ depression or anxiety. More likely our mind/soul/psyche puts the body’s chemicals out of balance after prolonged stressful thoughts and feelings. Mind rules matter.
To assist with panic-like stuff try counselling, massage, nutrition, Bach Flowers, spiritual healing as well as the homeopathic SAMe. Dr Charles L. Whitfield is an expert on the harmful effects and unnecessary use of mental health medications. See helpful web sites below.
References :
http://www.internationalsupplements.com/product_info.php?products_id=265
http://www.cbwhit.com/charleshome.htm
Comment from Gemma
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:33 am
I don’t eat caffeine and sugar anymore and it has helped a lot.
Also, this program helped me too:
http://www.stresscenter.com/
(the woman at the main screen, grew up poor, had an alcoholic father, and had agoraphobia)
This book is good too:
http://www.amazon.com/Panic-Power-Techniques-Anxieties-Conquer/dp/0060927585/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196699435&sr=8-1
(please don’t let the embarrassing title throw you off)
Hope you feel better. I know you will, because you obviously want to.
References :
Comment from mytwodogs60463
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:16 pm
go online and look up the pharmacitual for lexapro. as when people don’t have the money these companys will pay it out so you can get your prescriptions. contact the company and let them know and ask for there financial assistance program.
References :
Comment from DaisyDuck
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Wow I am sorry to hear of your many scary occurences in your life. I had panic attacks in my life not now but I think you have to get your system to calm down. So here are a few things: Personally a hot bath made it worse for me.. wierd but true
I wrote in a journal about everything that was scaring me – just write it all out and no matter how much time it takes just keep writing everyday.
I think that once you start processing these things it will start to get better. Go for a walk if you can
Try and meditate and just sit quietly
Don’t touch any stimulants like caffine or pop just eat as healthy as possible. Drink water. Try and hit the library and read up on the panic attack issue lots of books out there on it. Make sure you take time for you. I don’t know if you have kids but do your best to have as many burdens lifted for awhile from you. You need to heal. Take care and good luck you can do it.
References :
Comment from iamgenessa
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I don’t know any home remedy, I wish I did. I do recommend Klonopin instead of Xanax. Xanax makes my panic attacks worse. Klonopin works wonders for panic disorder. I feel like it’s saved my life. Good luck and remember..It’s not your fault.
References :
Panic Disorder since 1990.
Comment from Marguerite
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Your mental health comes first. Find the money to see a doctor and get medication if the doctor deems it necessary. Do without something. Just find the money. You are worth it. Health is always the most important factor in your life.
Antidepressants and benzos are the best meds for panic attacks. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to take them if they are prescribed for you.
Now to help you in the meantime … deep, slow, rhythmic breathing will soothe and calm your nervous system and ease the panic attack after a few steady minutes of doing so.
But, if your panic attacks are a common occurence, your best bet is preventive medicine. I know how horrid panic attacks are. I hope you get to see a doctor real soon.
References :
Comment from ric_chica
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I left this on nother persons question and I hope it helps both of you as it does me.
1. Sit or lie down
2 Take a deep breath and hold it for 5 seconds
3 while holding your breath clench your stomach muscles, then breathe out
you can repeat if it doens’t work the first time (this is the only way I could stop my panic attacks until i was put on medication.)
References :
Comment from christompson252
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Hi,
I have been through something very similar with my mother. It’s amazing how something
can tear apart your life like that. It hit her the hardest when I was getting ready
to move out of the house to my own apartment. She took pills for it, but they only got
her so far.
We tried several different things all ending in the same result. I’m not sure if there is
a way to completely get rid of it, but there are things that can help. I know that it
does run in the family. ONE of the things that helped her out a lot was a site we can across
online while searching for help. If you’re interested follow the link below and best of luck
to you.
-Michael
Here is the site: http://www.anxiety-disorder1.blogspot.com
References :
Comment from R S
Time January 17, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I used to have a terrible problem with panic attacks. I tried a lot of different things and the program at:
was by far the most helpful. I don’t have panic attacks anymore, I owe a lot to the people that work with that program.
You CAN get better, start getting the right info.
References :
Comment from mylo101
Time January 17, 2010 at 10:50 am
I strugled with anxiety my whole life until I went and saw my doctor about it. The only way I could come down a few notches was to go and lay down or take 5-10 minutes by myself in a quiet room…breath slowly and not concentrate on what was going on around me. I did find this to be a TEMPORARY relief, but nothing compared to being on an antianxiety medication. You stress level is way to high and you have to stop worrying about the "whats going to happen next" kind of thing…take it easy…you don’t want to cause a heart attack.
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