Panic and Anxiety attacks. How do you stop them and while having one what to do?

Answer 1

Get on zoloft ASAP. It was a lifesaver for me.

While having one, the best thing to do is to try to relax and calm yourself down. Keep telling yourself "I'm okay, I'm not going to die".

Answer 2

When you are having one, you should do everything possible to relax, breathe slowly, and remove yourself from whatever caused it. If you are at work, simply excuse yourself and walk out, or if you can't speak, just leave. You can always explain yourself later, and your health is more important than work. Most people are very understanding of such things if you explain them later.

As far as preventing them, if you are having panic and anxiety attacks you should see a therapist. They are most likely caused by something that a therapist or psychiatrist can help you with. More often than not, they can be stopped without any kind of medication, through regular therapy. Be careful, however, as you could be mistaking something else for a panic or anxiety attack - you should ask your doctor about other possibilities. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 3

*Breathe into a paper bag if you have one. In fact, carry one just for this purpose.
* Repeat a phrase to yourself such as, "keep calm - I'm okay, I'm fine".
* Drink a glass of icecold water.
* Get some fresh air.
* Make sure you don't get hungry and let your blood sugar crash. Hypoglycaemia can bring on this feeling.
* Easier said than done, but try not to panic - panic breeds more panic. You cannot die from this or anything like that. It passes in seconds/minutes although at the time it will feel like a lot longer than that.
* Maybe leave the environment that brought it on for a whlie - for example, get out of a big crowd.
* Bach Rescue Remedy (a herbal flower remedy) is great. Buy it from healthstores/chemists. It has a dropper. Drop some on your tongue.

Hope this helps. Take care, I've been there and conquered it so it can be done.

Answer 4

There are a few things that you can try. First if you can, learn the signs of a panick attack before it occurs. For instance if your heart feels like it's going to race, or you begin to get confused or you begin to sweat. Stopping the problem before it occurs is always good. However if you are acually having a panick attack, you can go to a place you feel safe, weather it be in your mind or your surroundings. If breathing deeply doesn't help, lay down and stay very still, for about 5 minutes. Don't force your mind to relax, just let your thoughts flow, and then it will relax.

Answer 5

depends - if you have meds take them as soon as you feel like the panic attack is starting.

other then that I just try to take myself out of everyone's way!! It's a lot easier if I'm home!! Usually if I'm not home I can at least get myself to a place that I'm feeling "safe" - (IE my car).

the biggest thing to remember is that this is a passing thing (even though it feels like it's going to last forever) and you will get through it.

I'm assuming that you're seeing a doctor and being treated, if you aren't - well frankly you need to be! So go see the doctor, get meds if you need them, and talk to the doc about what's happening and maybe why it's happening now!!!

Good Luck

Answer 6

Meds help, of course but I don't like taking them. When I'm in a panic or feeling very anxious, all rational thinking or concentration just leaves me. I have to get away from the situation (even if only for maybe a minute) to sort of zone out or collect myself again.

Answer 7

Panic and anxiety attacks are self limiting. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, and after 15 minutes or so, it will be gone.
They are caused by an unexpected release of adrenaline into the blood stream, adrenaline is a very short acting hormone and so the attack will be self limiting as long as you relax thru it. The problems arrise when you allow yourself to become further upset, causing a cascade of adrenaline releases.
I use a mantra that I have found very effective...
Breathing in I think "this too" and breathing out I think "shall pass".
"this too, shall pass".

Answer 8

Do relaxation activites to prevent them (exercise, meditation, etc) and concentrate on nothing else but slow and steady breathing when you're having one. That will keep you from thinking about everything else.

A bit of advice: don't procrastinate, don't take on more than you can handle, and try not to do things that you will regret later. These are usually the things that bring on panic attacks. (STRESS SHAVES YEARS OFF YOUR LIFE!!!)

Answer 9

Be rational. Slow you mind down amd think about what it is that is that you are suddenly so anxious about and whether this panic is justified for it. Slow down and think of a solution for it and very conciously, tell yourself that you've survived it before, and you'll will survive it again, that this panic will also pass. It has worked for me. Remember to think rationally with positive self reassurance.

Answer 10

This may sound silly since it is in your mind - but try mind over matter. Concentrate on making those feelings go away... tall to yourself and tell yourself that this will pass, its not real. Make sure that there is not something really physically wrong though.