Is there anything besides medication that can help with panic attacks and anxiety?

Question

I have been having panic attacks for over a year now. Although I have not had a panic attack for a while because I have been on medication specifically lexapro. I have been dealing with anxety problems off and on as well. The medication has helped a lot but I really don't like how it affects some things in my life, like my sex drive. I wanted to see if anyone knew of an alternative way to help me so I can discontinue the meds.

Answer 1

There are ways! You can keep a journal on when you have them. Keep track of where you are, what happened, time,date, who was around, who was not around,noises, smells,sights,just anything that you remember that was going on whrn you have one. After a while you will notice exactly what it is and learn to avoid it or how to deal with it. I know because I have had it for 15 yrs at least.I went to counseling and learned this method but I always have my Zanax with me just in case! My bro never had any med problem and started having them. His are like heart attacks and he was found passed out once in his cop car doing surveillance!He is retired now. He really thinks he is having a heart attack because it hits him so strong in the chest and that only makes the panic worse!He has been hosp.3 times now. You are worried about your sex drive so I will tell you a weird moment in my sex life. I had a panic attack when my husband was on top of me and I started yelling to get off of me! I was pushing and shoving and thinking I was going to suffocate but he was so much larger than me that I couldn't budge him! He finally got the message but it seemed forever to me. That was embarrassing and scary! Best wishes and I hope you find a way to deal. Oh yea. There are natural supplements called 5HTP that are used for mood enhancers and help you to sleep better. They don't make you sleepy,,just sleep better when you do go to bed.The mood enhancer is not an upper or downer, it just helps to keep you more even. I have had my grandson on them for his ADHD and it really helps.

Answer 2

The best way is to see a psychiatrist. Your primary care doctor can refer you to one. Everything will be confidential.

Second best is to go to the places and/or do the things that bring on the anxieties and panic attacks. If you have a friend who you can confide in, take him or her along. It's like someone with claustrophobia getting in an elevator. or someone who is afraid of flying getting on a plane and going from L A to N Y a few times

Answer 3

If you have the money, the Midwestern Center for Anxiety has an awesome program. It really helped me. Also just make yourself do at least one productive thing a day until you can do more. Best wishes.

Answer 4

Well, one person's got it right. Cognitive therapy. Confronting your fears and controlling your thoughts. Interested? Buy this book:
"The Feeling Good Handbook" by Dr. David Burns. It works if you do as he says. It cured my depression, anxiety, and gave me a whole new outlook on life. Read more here:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

'nuff said?

Answer 5

Cognitive therapy. It is about breathing techniques and learning to confront and control your fears. Look it up on the net. It worked wonders for me.

Answer 6

deep breathing, listening to music. thats what i do. good luck

Answer 7

try meditation,it does work

Answer 8

I also suffer from anxiety. In bad times I feel like I am suffocating. can't sleep ect ect.
On the other hand , for my own reasons, I lost faith in alopathic medicine practice at the age of 16. I am now 31. I can count how many times I have been to see a " western doc" on 1 finger since then. I have come around quite a bit since then and become much more flexible in my veiws. I think western meds has its right place in health care, but it is also my opinion that it oversteps it's line of usefullness to a place where it ends up being disempowering to the peoples power to heal, rejuvinate, revitalize.
I can think of many personally empowering ways to work with this issue. my answer to your question is YES!!!! there is something that can help you with your anxiety and panic attacks... that "something" is you! I don't know you But I belive in your power to grow and evolve beyond this condition.
Imagine that these attacks are a wake up call to you...from you. and when you begin walking the path of self healing and discovery you may understand what you are trying to get yourself to pay attention to or change something in your life.
healing from the inside out using our own resources usually means some change... and change, the unknown can be scaaaaaary! so we choose to cling to the suffering because at least it is familliar. and we want the drugs for it b/c then we feel we have some control over it. but can you go deeper than that? can you step beyond it or at least stick your big toe in the water?

stay on your meds for now. but in the mean while check out some alternatives. dabble and experiment until you find something that feels soothing AND substancial . I do Yoga. I have been doing that for a while. There are lots of flakey annoying yoga teachers out there who shouldn't be... but there are some really amazing ones too. I am recieving AMAZING healing from studying with a teacher named ana forrest. she is world class and always traveling and teaching.
any way if not yoga then something... you have to explore your options. go with something that fits your own nature but no matter what your nature is .... please breathe in a way that nourishes you. we take breathing for granted but it is our best tool and it's FREE. most people use about 15% of our lung capacity... but that is easily changed.... if you are someone who shows lots of care love and kindness to others then learn how to give that to yourself to... practice breathing in a way that you give your best qualities back to your self... self-realization is a huge undertaking.... but what else to do if all the other stuff doesn't work unless we force it to work by drugging ourselves into it.... people don't have panick attacks for no reason. ask yourself some questions, get some support if you need to. check some alternatives out. follow your true nature and if you don't know what that is then theres your start... find out!!! its an exciting path to allow ourselves to become who we are meant to be...
But i would advise you to stay on your meds until you feel safe with another method... and while you are exploring don't think poison thoughts about your meds... thank them for bridging the gap for you... for making the time while you are finding your true answers easier and safer. and know you WILL find freedom from the meds and your condition. I hope this helps you. I wish you the best.

Michelle