Panic Attack | Panic Attack Guide

Question: How does someone get over panic attacks?

(Posted by: XYZ on 2010-07-26 18:47:12)

I have them on a daily basis now. The feeling of not being able to breathe, the fear of dying, fear of going crazy. Normally I am a very rational person and do not have much stress in my life. I haven't had any huge trauma either. Not on any medications except allergy meds every now and then, and ibuprofen pretty regularly (for scholiosis). My social skills are going downhill and I think I'm getting agoraphobic. I used to be quite the opposite even 2 yrs ago. Feeling like these panic attacks are making me neurotic. Fully aware I sound like a hypochondriac neurotic, and worried that if things keep going this way I will be one. HELP!

Posted by: Jerry on 2010-07-26, 18:58:09

At the first sign of one, employ an ANTI PANIC ATTACK breathing technique. Advice from a clinical psychologist is to breathe in to the count of 3: (one thousand one; one thousand two; one thousand three) each takes around a second to say to yourself, in your mind, and out to the count of 3. Keep repeating this until the panic subsides, which will deal with the hyperventilation aspect. View deeplyrelax.com & deepsloweasy.com/ html/ intro.htm Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms, as do medications/ herbal remedies. Address the underlying cause, which requires some form of therapy; see your-mental-health.8m.com, below, re anxiety, on pages 1, h, & i. Page h shows the difference between panic, and anxiety attacks. Read: When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life, by David D. Burns (2007), & Panic Attacks Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick by David Carbonell, & "Power Over Panic ", by Bronwyn Fox, from your bookstore, or enter "panic attacks " in the searchbar at Amazon.com for more media. Some people recommend nettle tea, with a little honey. Others use Lavender tea, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, but use no milk or cream with herbal teas, or Valerian (caution: use it for 3 weeks at most!). Know how these affect you before driving, or doing anything dangerous, and it is far better to use the treatments, rather than relying on herbal remedies. Free online PANIC COURSE - panic-attacks.co.uk also available by email. See the section on panic attacks at mind.org.uk also Ebooklet form. They recommend letting a panic attack run its course, without doing anything to treat it, so you KNOW you will survive it. The usual maximum is 30 minutes, until symptoms begin to subside. Also see anxietypanic.com/ signs.html and onestepatatime.com (chatroom, and one free email is allowed to their resident expert on joining [free] - more if a paid up member) and medicinenet.com/ panic_disorder/ artic… and squidoo.com/ controlpanicattack/ modul… and anxietynetwork.com Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as drcoxconsulting.com/ managing-stress.html or altmedicine.about.com/ cs/ mindbody/ a/ Meditation.htm or wikihow.com/ Meditate or Yoga Nidra, (a series of easy mental exercises only; no flexibility required) at your-mental-health.8m.com/ blank_11.html Hypnosis is merely a heightened state of suggestibility, in which you are better able to communicate with your subconscious mind. 85% of people are suggestible, to some degree, so you could either seek professional hypnotherapy, or more alternatives along such lines are on page 1, at 8m.com, about panic.

Posted by: 2amend on 2010-07-26, 18:51:53

Well a doctor would be a good place to start. If thats not an option than I would suggest exposure. If I stay home my agoraphobia gets worse. Usually panic attacks have triggers. Identifying your triggers would help quite a bit. Controlled breathing can help with the panic attacks as the hyperventilation caused by panic attacks can make them worse as your brain responds to less oxygen. Herbal remedies, like valerian root can help.

Posted by: Tajjet on 2010-07-26, 19:02:47

I have had the exact same feelings and they were very hard to get over. Usually when you have a panic attack, it is all the stresses of your day being relieved when your mind is at rest- it helps your brain get over them. My therapist said to concentrate on your breathing and imagine yourself in a good place or a good memory, listen to music, things just to get your mind off of whatever you are thinking about. I am Christian and things like the fear of dying or of going crazy are calmed by my knowledge that my soul stays intact when my mind or body dies. I will be praying for you. I really hope you feel better.

Posted by: Parlet on 2010-07-26, 19:03:43

Fear is overwhelming especially when we feel out of control. The more I allow those thoughts in my mind the worse I become. I need to stay calm, breathe and tell myself everything is okay. I keep this self talk up until the panic stops. I know my triggers and I can't allow those thoughts to enter for even a second before I sing or laugh and go to a happy thought forced but it gets me through.

Posted by: boystownhotline on 2010-07-26, 19:32:58

It is great that you are reaching out for help. You may want to talk with your doctor about your symptoms so he or she can rule out an physical problems. If there are no physical concerns see a counselor/ mental health professional that can help you understand and deal with the anxiety you are experiencing. You can also contact the Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000. We have trained counselors available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We can also assist you in finding resources in your local area. Please take care of yourself and we hope to hear from you soon.