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! I am overweight...could thi have anything to do with it??

Answer 1

I get panic attacks, which just started within the last year, inherently. My mom has bad anxiety, and I just recently started to experience them. My long term boyfriend and I broke up (but now are back together), and it devastated me. I started to have bad attacks where my hands would go numb, and I couldn't breathe, and I would nearly black out. They would last for about 10 minutes. It was bad.

I got on antidepressants, which I stoped taking, and now I just take Zanax when needed.

You may have a new stressful situation, or you could have inherited it.

Answer 2

Forget the xanax because that medication cannot work that fast. As for you being overweight, it might have something to do with it because you might have low self-esteem? I am speaking from experience and gone through panic & anxiety attacks from time to time. What works for me is that I find a place alone, like a bathroom stall and I sit and breath deep. I start to relax and I think positive thoughts. Also, try exercising such as walking, even around the block because it will release the stress that you are keeping.

If your attacks are really bad, I would suggest seeking a counselor and there is nothing to be ashamed about going. You will get to talk to someone one on one about why your feeling this way and how you can work through it. And they might even suggest "meds", but you have the power to say Yes or No.

Take Care.

Answer 3

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than the feeling of being 'stressed out' that most people experience. The immediate cause is believing one is trapped and helpless, by some overwhelming threat. While panic can happen as a consequence of crime or disaster, it doesn't matter whether the threat is real. Often, panic happens after several weeks or months of stress. It happens more often with persons who are very worried, perfectionist, socially avoidant, or who have had abuse in childhood. Heredity may play some part. What keeps panic going, and getting more intense and frequent, is worrying excessively about it and strenuously avoiding situations that appear to bring panic .

These are really good links:

Answer 4

Most people who have anxiety problems and/or panic attacks had the first one come out of the blue and then start avoiding the same situation and similar situations out of fear that they'll have another. They often think they're going crazy, losing control, going to pass out or faint or die. Panic attacks only last a few minutes. Ddep breathing helps, so does journaling, talking with someone, distracting yourself, and practicing mindfulness. People with anxiety issues are usually creative, sensitive, beautiful, caring, wonderful people. Anxiety disorder is not a chemical imbalance nor does it show weakness of character. There are many sites out there for help with anxiety problems. One of the best for information and communication with others is on About.com. Follow this link to the forum: http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=start&webtag=ab-panicdisrdr. I'm no doctor or psychologist, but just a sufferer like you who has survived this living hell. There is hope. Pray, and get a good cognitive therapist who SPECIALIZES in panic disorders and anxiety. Good luck! Oh, and there are many, many celebrities who've had problems with anxiety. Check out this list: http://www.panic-anxiety.com/celebs.asp,

Answer 5

Perhaps your just afraid of getting the attacks which is making you get more attacks. Try hard to relax, take deep breaths, listen to music, or do something that distracts you from any fearful thoughts. If you engage in something very distracting, you can get your mind off of things that may trigger these attacks. Talk to your doctor about what other techniques you can do instead of using meds. Hopefully this is just a phase you are going through that you will overcome.

Answer 6

Panic attacks are basically your brain thinking you are under attack when there isn't any danger. Your brain falsely assumes you are in danger and all the physical symptoms normally associated with being in danger happens, such as rapid heart rate, sweat, faster breething, etc.

I have somewhat mild case of it.

These symptoms usually peaks in about 5 to 10 minutes and be completely gone in 15 minutes.

Before taking the medication route, I suggest you see a phychologist. As this is your own brain "playing a trick" on itself, it can be caused by alot of things, including medication you are taking. I doubt your weight had any direct connection but if you are feeling insecure because of your weight, it may be a trigger.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Hey! If you have just started getting them, then I would definately look at whether there have been any major events, or underlying developments that you just haven't been dealing with. You should take care of your self, take is easy for a bit and do something for yourself, not something for money, your family, your school, just you. You deserve it to yourself to try and beat this without resorting to drugs.

Answer 8

You have done nothing to cause your panic attacks.Many people suffer from them. And if you find they keep getting worse go see a doctor, meds can help you.

Answer 9

weight isn't an issue... my mom has had them most of her adult life, and she has never been over weight. Medication is the only thing that helps her. I do know that over the years they have decreased dramatically. Also, stress brings on her attacks and I have seen her have them. Good luck.

Answer 10

could be allot of things, stress, diet, life...exc the attacks are the effect you just need to find the cause