Panic Attack!?

Question

Ok so just awhile ago in school, I've had 2 panic attacks. The second was really horrible because my throat felt so numb i thought it was growing bigger. My panic attacks just started about 2 months ago..i know that there's nothing wrong..but deep down i always feel like i'm gonna die or get a seizure, or hyperventilate. I take xanax whenever i have it..but are there other ways to help me cope with the stress and panic attacks? I try not to keep thinking of negative thoughts but they always come up in my mind...any tips to relax?

Answer 1

Panic attacks feed panic attacks. How many times have you worried about an attack only to have it happen? The best way to deal with it is tell yourself that yes, you're having a panic attack, but you'll get through it like you always do. Everytime you go through an attack, congratulate yourself a little bit, even if you feel you don't deserve it. Say to yourself "see, we got through it okay. If we have another one, we'll get through it, too." It's the same way with other illnesses, you learn to take care of it, get through bad parts, and then go on with your life. The difference with panic attacks is that their very nature makes it hard to deal with it.

If you feel like you're going to have an attack, breathe in and out slowly and count to ten in your head. It should go like this in your head: "Breathe in...breathe out...One. Breathe in...breathe out...Two," etc. You breathe in and out as deeply as you can, even if it's not as deep as you would like. It will take a while to do all ten breaths, but that's the point. You might not be able to do it at your desk, but you can excuse yourself to the bathroom and stand by a window or open door. Even just getting some fresh air will help.

Also, I've never heard of anyone dying or getting a seizure from a panic attack. Most people freeze up, can't speak, and start breathing heavy, then the attack passes and they're back to normal.

Negative thoughts happen to everyone, you have to accept that you have them, deal with them if they get bad, but not dwell on them. If you're having a specific set of thoughts over and over, talk to your school's counselor. Tell her you keep having negative thoughts that lead to panic attacks, and you don't know why you keep having them. If you're not comfortable with the school counselor, talk to a friend you trust. Tell your friend about your negative thoughts, and tell her that you don't need her to say anything, just listen. Talking it out helps alot.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 2

OK, as someone who is fresh off medication for anxiety and panic disorders, let me take a crack at this: A fair few of the symptoms could be either, but all of them could be panic attacks. However, here are a few things which could help you determine which: Do these start after you've been thinking about your health, and wondering if you are OK. Panic attacks normally start with a thought, and build up based on it. Are you mentally confused at all during them? When I had panic attacks, I was never able to sit still. I would try to calm down and breath normally, but the slightest thing would set me off and I'd have to move. Does the shaking happen usually after things start to calm down. Your body produces a huge amount of adrenaline during a panic attack, and coming down off that causes shaking for people who have had panic attacks. If you really try had, and breath slowly and normally, and try to clear your mind, does this help it go away? Does the headache come after as well? I often got them from the physical exertion, which is usually quite extreme during a panic attack. I hope this helps...

Answer 3

I highly recommend getting meditation tape. Yoga can also help.

Sometimes diet changes and talking to someone about things can help too.

If you are diagnosed with Panic Attacks you should be on a continual medication...not just when you have it. So talk to you doctor about getting a full persciption for something.

Below is a link that has some stress relief sites and a natural suppliment site for people who experience panic attacks.

Answer 4

What do you mean, you take xanax whenever you have it? I take it you get it from friends or something?

You need to see a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.

That is a very powerful drug, I truly suggest you do not take it any other way than how a dr prescribes it for you.

You also said you take it whenever you have it and have had only 2 panic attacks. Taking this drug without a prescription may be the reason you are having attacks.

This is a very powerful drug. Enough said I guess.

Answer 5

I suffered panic attacks for years but then went to a meditation course which gives you techniques for overcoming them. You'll be surprised how many people suffer from this condition. If your home town has Yoga, that would be a great start. Good Luck! :)

Answer 6

i, too, get panic attacks. randomly, holding your breath, for about fiftenn seconds, every couple of minutes, helps, a bit (it helps restore the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which bring on some of the physical symptoms of panic). talking to someone, while i wait for the xanax to come on is helpful, i find. taking your mind off of it, if possible - i know it's hard - can help with that, as well. there are therapies that deal specifically with panic disorder, and are considered quite effective. talk to whomever is giving you the xanax (unless it's your dealer) about seeing someone.

Answer 7

I've had the same condition several years ago. Mine is even worse because I even had agoraphobia, I couldn't stand being outdoors for fear of an attack. It took me a while to get a grip on myself, I had to convince myself that the symptoms that I was experiencing were just in my head and that they're not real. When you're about to experience one of the symptoms specially hyperventilating and or heart palpitations--just try to breathe evenly and refuse to give in to heavy breathing, it will all pass. Just give yourself time and don't stress too much, it took me a while to get over it but I did and I hope you will too, don't let it control your life--good luck and God bless!

Answer 8

you probably have anxiety attacks but i feel ur pain the best thing u can do is kinda distance yourself a little bit and just close your eyes and just imagine yourself alone for like 10 seconds it really works cause i take lorazipane which really sucks cause im not supposed to drive while im on it becuase of the side effects but if u need help email me or contact me on messenger

Answer 9

proper breathing exercises. relaxation and psychotherapy will help you a lot to cope with panic attacks

Answer 10

Try Lucinda Bassets Stress Center...
http://clos.net/lib/roux-en-y/Free%20Gastric%20Bypass%20Surgery.htm

I did..it works.