Last September I began experiencing panic attacks.

[Mike 03]

Has anybody else here had these? They are really humiliating and immobilizing, and I am in the process of trying to get some treatment, but I was just wondering what has worked for others. So far, I have been put on two medications, one that seemed to help for a month, and the other that has made things way, way worse, so I am searching for any advice. Not medical advice, but just Lounge advice or hypothetical, just curious what has worked for you.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Brickbat]

1. I had them and they are indeed hideous.

I got them only at night. I found that deep breathing and, LMAO, visualizing a calm dark blue ocean at dusk was very helpful. This sounds funny, but I also found that stroking my stomach gently helped. I do remember that the sleep after a panic attack is some of the best sleep I ever got, so I would breathe slowly and deeply and think about the wonderful nap that was coming.

I did end up going on Paxil because I had some mild to moderate depression as well. The attacks didn't go away until I went on medication, but the breathing, visualizing and stroking helped me get through them.

It's hard because every time I got one I would think, "OK, I'm going to die. No, wait, I'm not going to die, it's just a panic attack. WAIT! WHAT IF THIS REALLY IS THE REAL THING AND I AM GOING TO DIE? I'M DYING!!!!!"

ETA: I hope this helps and you find some comfort. It's a terrible feeling and difficult to explain to people who haven't had them. You're in my thoughts!

[Mike 03]

2. Thanks, I appreciate your advice. Unfortunately, mine tend to happen in public.

I wouldn't mind if they happened when i was alone, but it is so humiliating to have them in a grocery store.

Breathing does help me calm down when I experience anxiety when I'm alone. That is good advice.

Be well.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. In addition to meds, you need to develop a way to stave off the attack.

First learn to recognize that one is coming on. I always felt like I was unable to catch my breath and using relaxation breathing techniques allowed me to stop them cold most of the time -- emphasis on "most" -- sometimes I just had to roll with it. It was easier to shut down the attack at the front end of it. I never took meds so you're already one up in the toolkit department.

I also found it important to figure out what triggered them. After each attack I'd write down what was going on earlier in that day and try to analyze which situations (emotional, physical,mental) brought them on. After a while I was able to exert some control by taking myself out of stressful situations or when that was not possible, preparing for an attack by doing breathing exercises early and often.

I don't want to make it sound easy -- it took quite a bit of time and effort to get control, but since then I've only had panic attacks about once a decade.

[kalli007]

5. I second that....

knowing that one is coming on and finding a way to psyche yourself out of it so to speak. I read somewhere that someone wore a rubberband at all times around their wrist, and when they felt one coming on they snapped it. This is gonna sound SO ridiculous, but I have tried something similar....dont die laughing here....when I feel one coming on I slap myself. For some reason it has the same effect and it has kept me from having a few.

But, if you are having them in public that might not be the best option....

[rbnyc]

4. Off and on my whole life.

Meds were not the right way to go for me. Therapy and relaxation techniques are much better.

I have been having them again recently and it helps me just to acknowledge that my anxiety is not is disassociated. I just stop and take deep breaths, or go off ny myself for some stretching and chamomile tea.

It's a HORRIBLE feeling, I know. I'm sorry you are going through this.

[Bake]

6. I had them -- felt like a heart attack.

The first time, I really thought I was dying. Doc put me on Lexapro and it works.


Bake

[TorchTheWitch]

7. Had them all my life - for me it's genetic

I've been on an anti-anxiety med for years and years. It's a life saver.

Finding the right med can be very difficult. I was extremely lucky in that the second one I tried worked very well with virtually no side effects (for me) and restrictions I can live with. The diet restrictions don't bother me since nearly all of them are stuff I'm not particularly interested in consuming anyway, and the drug interaction issues with other drugs can be a real pain in the ass at times but I can deal with it.

What I've noticed with meds is that everyone is different. One med that my sister loves how it works for her I hated beyond belief. After my dad died years ago I went through a really rough patch where my regular med wasn't helping so much anymore and increasing the dosage brought on side effects I couldn't deal with, so I went through a period of trying other meds. Hated them all and went back to my regular med and just got muddled through that rough patch.

I'm one of those people that usually has a lot of difficulty with meds of any kind with either not working well enough or side effects or restrictions I can't deal with, so with all that I'm really very happy with the med that's worked so well for me for so long.

Panic attacks are absolutely fucking debilitating, and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. Until you get them under control with either meds or therapy or both they spiral out of control and bring on other problems like OCD and agoraphobia and it all just cycles into a mess of epic proportions.

Keep trying until you find a med that works best for you, and understand that you may have to try quite a few. You probably won't find anything perfect, but probably will find something that works well and that you can live with. At the same time, understanding what they are, how they happen and how to train yourself to get off the adrenalin treadmill that causes them is really important.

The book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes I've found to be a real godsend in understanding and dealing with them and training yourself to make them go away, and it's short and an easy read. She writes like she's just sitting there talking with you, which is really important since people that suffer from anxiety have a really hard time concentrating, and the last thing they need is a book that's written like a textbook. In times of crisis I re-read it, and it ALWAYS helps me out. My shrink HIGHLY recommends it as does every shrink he knows, (though it was my brother who recommended it to me first and gave me his copy). Every single person with anxiety issues that has read it absolutely RAVES about it. I think the best thing about it is that in reading it you get a sense of RELIEF that someone understands, sympathizes and promises you that you aren't crazy and it WILL get better. And I'm sure you know the one thing you really need is some damn RELIEF however it comes.

[suninvited]

8. the only time I ever experienced panic

was driving over bridges.

I went to a class on EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and learned some simple exercises and I can cross bridges without skipping a beat. You can find information about it online.

It isn't just for fear, it works for anxiety and even sadness. I don't even remember the whole exercise now, my fear of bridges was erased from my memory.

[dawg]

9. For me ...

Once I was secure in the knowledge that these feelings were panic attacks and not something life-threatening (like a heart attack or stroke), I was able to manage. I still had attacks (in public, like you). I was just able to manage them better. Sometimes, I would just get up and say, "I'm not feeling well, I need to go out and get some fresh air." Once outside, and by myself or with a trusted person, I would eventually get through it.

I never went on medication full time, but would occasionally take a xanax if I really needed to get through something without freaking out.

After two or three years of muddling through, they more or less went away.

[WolverineDG]

10. I used to get them late at night

I found that walking helped work out that extra energy, as I felt that I should be doing something....even in the middle of the night (I have a Walk away the pounds DVD that I used at night). After about 20-30 minutes just walking, I felt fine again. :shrug:

dg

[hamsterjill]

11. Had them for a period of time in my life.

Mine were related to a specific situation, and I was lucky enough to be able to finally remove myself from that situation and they subsided over time.

I used to panic, have heart palpitations and would literally sweat to the point that my clothes would be wet. I used deep breathing and affirmations, and that helped to some degree.

I can sympathize with you. They are indeed very concerning and frightening. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution! And I believe that there ARE solutions, so hang in there.

[Duer 157099]

12. I used to get them, way back in college

I found that my trigger was being in a situation where there was no escape. On a bus, for example. Or in a classroom. Or on a bridge.

I eventually learned to just keep telling myself that I wasn't going to die, I wasn't having a heart attack, and that it would pass. Even so, I also learned to sit where I could easily exit if needed.

I still sort of get a mild attack when going over bridges, I just hate them.