whats the best cure for anxiety and panic attacks without using medication?
I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety and rapid onset of panic attacks. I dont know why or when but it comes on unexpectedly. Any suggestions on how to handle this without using medication. Im really missing out on being active with my family and I just want to get back to my normal self before the anxiety.
i just want to thank everyone for their time and assistance on this matter. i often thought i was the only one who suffered and maybe something else was wrong but the doctors were missing it. ive tried effexor and xanax and i didnt like how i felt. (looking in your rear view mirror and seeing baby kangaroos chasing your car is not a good feeling) ive been doing the herbal and exercise thing and im looking into yoga…the source of my anxiety comes from being afraid of die and not knowing whats going to happen to me when i die. i cant even live because im afraid of dying. i am a christian and very active in my church but the more i read the bible and go to church the more confused i get. keep me in your prayers and hopefully soon i’ll be able to say that anxiety and panic attacks were a thing of the past=]
This might be kinda long answer so, bear with me. I use to get really bad ones a long time ago. They would come out of no where, and when I didn’t know what they were I just thought I was gonna have a heart attack and die! I did notice that, the more I freaked out, the more intense it would get.
I went to see the DR. on this and he just called it pallpatations….I use to be a DJ and on the way to one of my gigs, I got a real bad one. I had to pull over from driving and had a resident call the fire dept. I could not move my fingers and was sweating and it was getting harder to breathe. By the time they arrived it had passed and I was late to my gig. The lady that hired me asked why I was late and I told her why. She said she understood and told me what to do as she use to get then too. She said just too get fresh air ,slow my breathing, think nice calm thoughts and listen to relaxing music. I’ll be dammed if it didn’t work! That was many yrs. ago…I still get them now and again but not so frequent and as soon as I do that it goes away….try this..hope it works as I know exactly how you feel!!!!.good luck… 
Comments
Comment from Munya Says: GFOD
Time November 9, 2009 at 3:23 am
biofeedback, deep breathing exercises and regular aerobic exercise.
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Comment from Damn Pocket Protector
Time November 9, 2009 at 4:12 am
Physical Exercise…
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Comment from Kelly
Time November 9, 2009 at 5:02 am
Read the Bible and take a deep breath. You can trust God.
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Comment from Omar I
Time November 9, 2009 at 5:12 am
natural tea.
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Comment from redsoxrae
Time November 9, 2009 at 5:18 am
No joke. Red wine. If that doesnt work, take the meds. Panic attacks are nothing to fool with. You could actually have a heart attack! Good luck.
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Comment from Snowflake
Time November 9, 2009 at 5:24 am
Acupuncture. This alternative medicine method has been around for thousands of years and I have firsthand seen the positive effects. I highly recommend this.
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Comment from azn bookworm
Time November 9, 2009 at 6:05 am
try and figure out what’s wrong with you. when do you usually get the panic attacks. stuff like that. read the boyfriend list. the main character had the same problem
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Comment from krazyladee
Time November 9, 2009 at 6:44 am
I use relaxation cds and get plenty of rest, take multi-vitamins and this mix it’s called "CALM", it has natural stuff to calm you. And I drink a lot of water. It helps but it takes time.
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Comment from scottsgirl_01
Time November 9, 2009 at 6:54 am
1 use a natural vitamin st johns wort
2 melatoenin ( be aware this will mak you fall asleep )
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Comment from theartisttwin
Time November 9, 2009 at 7:05 am
practice breathing techniques and mastering your own mind by telling yourself that you are strong and to calm down
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Comment from KHH
Time November 9, 2009 at 7:33 am
Meditation and exercise. You can combine the two with yoga.
It can really help to go on medication for a while to get used to being relaxed, and to learn how to relax your body really well. Then you can taper off the medication and rely solely on the relaxation techniques you have learned. Think about going on something like Xanax or Atavan (you may have to try a few before you find one that works for you) temporarily — it can really help. Generally combination therapy (medication plus counseling) is far more effective than one or the other alone.
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I am a biologist and an educator.
Comment from Helen B
Time November 9, 2009 at 8:14 am
counseling and learn some calming relaxing breathing techniques.You could try some herbal stuff too.
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Comment from hulk110
Time November 9, 2009 at 8:53 am
There are things that you can do. One is go see a therapist. Also you can carry around a paper bag in your purse, and if you are having a panic attack, you tend to hyperventilate, so breath in and out of the bag for awhile, to regulate the levels of oxygen in your blood, and this can help calm you down. The thing that helped me the most was I went to a yoga class and learned breathing exercises. By being able to control your breathing helps out immensely when you feel a panic attack coming on. Sorry that you are having them, but i bet you can get control of them someday…. i did after five years.
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Panic Attack sufferer
Comment from xxbekitidexx
Time November 9, 2009 at 9:00 am
i had this for about a year its awful isnt it!
i beat it psychologically, i had to tell myself over and over that i was fine and breathe steadily.
it took me about 15 trips to the hospital thinking i was going to die before i finally stopped them happening!
its all psychological though you need to be able to take the self control back and tell yourself you are fine!
its really difficult but you will beat it.
i used to sip cold water too which worked sometimes.
good luck and i hope you beat it soon! 
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Comment from Emily S
Time November 9, 2009 at 9:32 am
Yoga! You should really try yoga, and any other type of exercise is good too.
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Comment from Coral
Time November 9, 2009 at 9:40 am
ive never dealt with them, but my friend has panic attacks. Practice breathing excercises daily (at least) and try to use them when you get a panic or anxiety attack. Once you’ve regulated your breathing, I’d suggest drinking something to make sure.
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Comment from Rob
Time November 9, 2009 at 10:11 am
All you gotta do is tell yourself to calm down. Take slow deep breaths, and it WILL pass. Be confident. The only reason you HAVE anxiety is becuase you give so much attention to whatever it is you’re freaking out about. Just remain calm, its nothing! GOOD LUCK! 
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Comment from Neex
Time November 9, 2009 at 10:31 am
Grab life by the horns, who cares if something’s wrong. I learned this when I fell in love, and I don’t care about anything wrong with me anymore.
What are you worried about happening? I had anxiety of like, my period leaking. Constantly. Even if i wasn’t on my period. And I’m always trying to make sure no one can see my butt. So i just tie a jacket around me waist and It’s all gone.
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Comment from Alabama
Time November 9, 2009 at 10:59 am
Nothing but an antidepressant works. The generic ones are cheap and can even be ordered off the Internet. I tried everything else.
There is no need to suffer when you can be better in 2 weeks.
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Comment from ?Angel Girl?
Time November 9, 2009 at 11:40 am
my sister inherited the same thing from my dad. my dad take 5 little teeny tiny pills everyday to help him with the attacks. my sister went to the doctor and she will be getting the same thing but not as strong as a diagnoses due to the fact she only 12. but i think that is the only way to help prevent them from happening. you can try to talk to yourself when they come on to you and just keep telling yourself that its all in your head its all in your head nothing is going to hurt me in anyway. thats what my sister does. it sometimes work and it sometimes doesnt. hope i could be of some help! and good luck.
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Comment from ABSTRACTpoetic
Time November 9, 2009 at 11:54 am
The brown paper bag technique you see in movies helps at times. Inhaling and exhaling using a brown paper bag helps you visualize your breathing, getting oxygen to the brain, and helping slow your heart rate.
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Comment from angelbaby
Time November 9, 2009 at 12:28 pm
here is a few videos i thought might help you i have never tryed the first but the second one realy helped me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZTHjjGtuDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU-C6QE9Eco
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Comment from the left one
Time November 9, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Please consider this program; it’s what helped me a lot.:
http://www.midwestcenter.com/success_stories/
"Click any of the names to the left to hear from people who have reached their goals…"
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Comment from djjoecruz
Time November 9, 2009 at 1:36 pm
This might be kinda long answer so, bear with me. I use to get really bad ones a long time ago. They would come out of no where, and when I didn’t know what they were I just thought I was gonna have a heart attack and die! I did notice that, the more I freaked out, the more intense it would get.
I went to see the DR. on this and he just called it pallpatations….I use to be a DJ and on the way to one of my gigs, I got a real bad one. I had to pull over from driving and had a resident call the fire dept. I could not move my fingers and was sweating and it was getting harder to breathe. By the time they arrived it had passed and I was late to my gig. The lady that hired me asked why I was late and I told her why. She said she understood and told me what to do as she use to get then too. She said just too get fresh air ,slow my breathing, think nice calm thoughts and listen to relaxing music. I’ll be dammed if it didn’t work! That was many yrs. ago…I still get them now and again but not so frequent and as soon as I do that it goes away….try this..hope it works as I know exactly how you feel!!!!.good luck…
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Comment from Zoe
Time November 9, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I think a really good way to handle anxiety is to find a healthy outlet for it. Physical exercise and/or doing something creative helps me. Take a dance, aerobics, or kickboxing class. Go walking or running. Write in a journal, or be like Jackson Pollock and fling paint on a huge sheet of canvas.
Have you talked to your doctor about alternatives to medication? There are some breathing and relaxation techniques that probably can help you a lot.
This isn’t really "medication" (as in, it’s not a prescription) – valerian is an herbal remedy that treats anxiety and insomnia. I take it to help me sleep. It doesn’t make you feel any different, it just helps you relax. You might want to try it.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsrz/a/Valerian.htm
Comment from william m
Time November 9, 2009 at 2:34 pm
You can try either of these:
The Panic Away Program – http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/panicaway.html
The Linden Method – http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/linden-method.html
Hope this helps…
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Comment from byrdsfan
Time November 9, 2009 at 3:02 am
I don’t know….I suffer from this too though, so I’d love to know.
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