panic attacks

[jack4022]

I've been having panic attacks over the past month and a half or so.  I've starting working with a therapist but I'm getting really frustrated with myself.  I used to have panic attacks but managed to over-come them and it had been about five years since my last one.  I've been having three or four a day for the past few weeks and am wondering if I should start on psych meds.  I'd rather not be on more meds, but I'm not sure what my options are at this point.  I've been exercising and using breathing techniques to try and manage my attacks, but they've been happening so suddenly and it's been difficult to manage.  Any thoughts or suggestions about anxiety/panic attacks would be awesome, thanks

[Tonny2]

I've been having panic attacks over the past month and a half or so.  I've starting working with a therapist but I'm getting really frustrated with myself.  I used to have panic attacks but managed to over-come them and it had been about five years since my last one.  I've been having three or four a day for the past few weeks and am wondering if I should start on psych meds.  I'd rather not be on more meds, but I'm not sure what my options are at this point.  I've been exercising and using breathing techniques to try and manage my attacks, but they've been happening so suddenly and it's been difficult to manage.  Any thoughts or suggestions about anxiety/panic attacks would be awesome, thanks

            ojo       Hello, if you have tried everything to lessen your panic attacks, why don't you want to take medication, I just started an antidepressant, because my panic attacks came back, I did tried everything too, but it is time for me to take an antidepressant....I hope and you do something about it, because it is not fun feeling anxious, especially if you have heart disease like me, this panic attacks make me think that I may be having a heart attack...good luck...hugs                      ojo

[tednlou2]

Sorry to hear you're going through this.  I have daily anxiety issues, with the occasional panic attack.  The attacks use to be much more frequent.  I went to a therapist.  The cognitive behavior therapy helped some.  When an attack strikes, it can be difficult to do the breathing exercises, because they often cause us to be breathing heavily and mind racing.  It can also be hard to talk yourself down (reminding yourself this has happened before, it wasn't a heart attack, and you got over it), in the midst of one. 

Medications have helped me-- depression and anxiety meds.  Some have issues with benzos.  Luckily, I've not had any issues so far.  A beta-blocker has also helped, I believe.  Beta-blockers are used to help with anxiety disorder.  Anxiety and panic attacks are awful and I continue to hope researchers will find some way to just cure it.  I can be having a great time and laughing and have a panic attack.  I've been told the brain can confuse positive stimuli with negative.  So, they aren't always brought on by just having negative thoughts.  It is very distressing and often debilitating. 

I wish you the best getting some relief, and possibly eliminating them altogether.

[RobbyR]

Panic attacks are terrible! I've had my share. They come on suddenly & sometimes you feel like you're dying. I get sweaty, feel dread & butterflies in my stomach, & feel like I can't breathe. Breathing in the paper bag can help with the breathing but what has helped me is medication like a low dose of xanax as-needed but surprisingly, beta blockers, which I was put on to control tachycardia, has helped control my full-blown panic attacks better than anything! I still get anxiety, but the debilitating scary panic attacks have pretty much gone away except for one once in awhile. Therapy has been iffy for me so far. It helps to talk about things, but so far definitely for me the medications have been better than therapy.

Another good thing about beta blockers is that they can greatly reduce physical symptoms like racing heart, or turning red, so you don't look like a fool when you're anxious.

Therapy has helped in that I can learn what some of my triggers are & how to get a handle on some things better. I am also on a low dose of Lexapro which I'm not sure does much of anything except some unseemly side effects. But it probably helps some. Hopefully you can get control over the panic attacks, they are definitely no fun trust me I know what you mean I have had my share.

[BubbaPat]

Howdy kiddo!!

Sorry to hear about the panic attacks.  I agree with Tony.  At some point you might want to consider the meds.  Are there specific reasons yo don't want too?  Have you tried a daily meditation?  Maybe a scheduled 'time out' moment every day.

Now..of the other side... for me, the very moment that I know that attack is starting... I close my eyes and tell myself to stop. I tell myself that this is a panic attack building and it needs to stop. I force myself to breath slow and try to clear my mind.  Jus thing of space as in outer space.  Just floating in the darkness of space. 
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Bubba hugs kiddo!

[harleymc]

You have survived every panic attack, and each one passed.
Remind yourself of that when they are happening. ;-)

[tryingtostay]

Are you on HIV meds?  Sorry if this seems like a silly question.

[Jeff G]

This thread is from June 5th and the OP has not been online since June 26th .

[pozitiveandblessed978]

I've been having panic attacks over the past month and a half or so.  I've starting working with a therapist but I'm getting really frustrated with myself.  I used to have panic attacks but managed to over-come them and it had been about five years since my last one.  I've been having three or four a day for the past few weeks and am wondering if I should start on psych meds.  I'd rather not be on more meds, but I'm not sure what my options are at this point.  I've been exercising and using breathing techniques to try and manage my attacks, but they've been happening so suddenly and it's been difficult to manage.  Any thoughts or suggestions about anxiety/panic attacks would be awesome, thanks
Think about whatis triggering the attacks. Is it when your in traffic or in a crowded store? once you discover your triggers expose yourself slowly. If its the store try to avoid the crowds or with traffic. go somewhere that you feel comfortable and take slow deep breaths relax.