How do people get to the point of Panic/Anxiety Attacks?

Question

I am a 25 year old female, and in this last week have begun to have "/panic/anxiety attacks". What are these and why did I get them? Will they ever go away, and is there anyway to manage them other than meds...I have taken xanax for the past few day and I'm afraid not to take it...the times I went without I had more attacks! What is happening to me!

Answer 1

I have had these, but only when extremely tired and then frightened or lost (or put in an uncomfortable social situation). My father suffers from them a lot.

I think that Panic attacks are a reaction to extreme stress and a basic fear of the future (lack of trust in the process of life). If I was you I would try hard to remember that you are a capable person and perfectly safe - and any time the fears start to surface take a deep breath and remind yourself again.

Xanax implies that you have already seen a dr. and xanax can be quite mild. I would take it regularly for a week and give myself permission to just rest and relax. Think about what it could be in my life causing this stress and try to eliminate it asap. I personally would then at the end of a week (or 2 even) try a day without it (with some in my purse - all the while reminding myself that everything is will be ok) and see how it goes.

Honestly, there are any number of factors that can contribute to this - but the bottom line is that ultimately it is how you deal with stress and react to problems that are the most important factors. Be kind to yourself and take it easy.

Peace!

Answer 2

I can answer this, cause, i've been going through it for 3 years now. It's hard to explain why you have panic or anxiety attacks, but, for me, it's stress levels. Add to that, worrying and stuff, and that doesn't help. For me, it started with Sleep Apnea. And, when ya have that, you're sleeping, and then all of a sudden you wake up as if your heart's gonna stop beating.

It's a chemical imbalance in your brain, and certain things set it off. Smells, feelings, sensations - it's all there, and they add up to something.

There are other ways to manage it other than medications, yes. And, most of them are herbal...i had a question like this too, and i'll paste what i got =)

Supplement you should look into are things like St. Johns wart, 5-HTP, SAM-e and believe it or not Omega-3 fatty acids can also really help. I take 5-HTP instead of prozac which is what I was on and I believe it works just as well, if not better.

As well as taking suppliments..because in reality there is no miricle pill...you might want to try yoga...it can really help

Before you make any decisions you should talk to your doctor.

There's another thing out there called "Mind Soothe"...you can click on the link below.

I've also included a link that'll help ya maybe understand what you're going through =)

Answer 3

My stepdaughter has panic attacks, she is only 11 years old. The anxiety is usually caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. May be other issues that are causing this as well. The Xanax will calm a person down, but it is not treating the problem. I would suggest seeing a doctor and asking for something like Buspar that is used to treat anxiety. I hope that this helps.

Answer 4

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 5

You can try saint johns wort about 300mg pills take 1 to 2 pills a day to find what works for you then your attacks maybe more manageable without xanax, you maybe having alot of stress but may not think so, look at your life and ask yourself what may be stressing you, now you don't look like the type that eats at MC Donald's but the fast food at many places put a lot of steroids and hormones in their beef and chickens, so avoid eating fast food, and I know this sound like I'm messing with you but I am really not, if you masturbate alot that can cause an inbalance in chemicals in your brain sort of they way an addict has withdraws from lack of the drug in their brains, the brain misses the drug and has fits. listen I'm not a doctor or physiologist but I used to have the same thing going on, but leaving the fast food, and other lifestyle changes has dramatically reduced panic and anxiety attacks to almost nil. with the st johns wort take it daily for a week then start gaping it between days and see how you feel, if you feel fine then reduce it further to like one every week till you feel you are where you need to be, one side effect is that you may feel a little grandiose or have a little bit of a temper which means reduce the doses. it works I did it so can you.

Answer 6

It's negative thoughts that are implanted in your subconscious throughout the day and for long periods of time. People who get panic attacks are usually perfectionists and are very hard on themselves. Lucinda Bassett has a drug free program called Attacking Anxiety. You can send away for it. It explains why you get them and how to be free from panic. I know how horrible it is to have this disorder and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 7

Well first, I am in the same boat....but a few years older. Just started on a med called BuSpar. I have had mild anxiety for quite some time but it has gotten out of control in the past year.
Something happens to us in our mid twenties...I can't explain it. As I am starting "counseling" at my doctors request to find out the underlying causes of my "anxiety", I have realized there are many things I need to confront in order to have a healthy day. Anxiety is usually caused by something inside you that you have hidden away from everyone...now it's ready to get out. I was given Xanax to give me an instant calm if I come to that "hyperventalating/crazy" point....but THEY ARE MAJOR ADDICTIVE!! Speaking from experience. Don't be scared to not take them but really your doc should have talked to you about a once daily before the narcotics were given. Consider talking to your doc about something less addictive...Buspar is working for me SO FAR and I have tried EVERYTHING else. You can also take free tests on line to test your self for anxiety and depression. As far as a med free life, I hope there is one. Do some research and PLEASE CONSIDER some sort of counseling...even if you feel like you don't need it.

Answer 8

please seek a doctor right away.

these could be a sign of futher health problems such as mitral valve prolapse, or a chemical imbalance.

also see if you can find a support group. these groups usually have someone that they will pair you up with that you can call day or night when you are having an attack, and they will walk you through it.

i have panic/anxiety attacks. they are terrifying. i will pray for you dear.

Answer 9

I wish I knew. All I can tell you is that you must seek treatment. Those panic attacks can be outright physically painful.

Answer 10

I think I get them occasionally, but I have a friend that cannot function with out meds.... maybe go to a psychiatrist, if you are religious, have people pray for you or seek counseling in that realm...