Anxiety or panic attacks?

Question

I feel really scared and even my breathing pattern changes. I feel like this all day long. During the last few weeks things have been getting worse. I feel that instead of blood running through my veins, I have pieces of broken glass that hurt me. At some point during the day, things get worse and I have to stop whatever I am doing and sit down, grab my hands or cross my arms and move as if I were in a rocking chair. Then I feel a special sensation in my head as if my spirit is going to leave my body. This lasts 15 minutes. I went to the doctor on Friday to complain about numbness in my arms. I thought it was a problem with my circulation. She doesn't know about the other feelings, but gave me Xanax .25 3 times a day. I started to take it yesterday, but don't notice any difference. My question is, is this anxiety or panic attacks? Come on! I feel this terror all day long!

Answer 1

I can't believe user:laura actually told you not to pay attention to your breathing patterns. Yes, you should pay attention to your breathing patterns. You should be doing breathing exercises. Like, try taking deep breaths, holding them for 5 seconds, releasing them for 5 seconds, waiting 5 seconds for another breath, and then repeating the process...but after 3 repetitions, you should try for 6 seconds a piece. Controlling your breathing is a very effective way to calm yourself during a panic attack.

Get yourself to a psychiatrist immediately. They're better than regular physicians, if this turns out to be an anxiety disorder.

Answer 2

I have had panic/anxiety attacks for 15 years. It is true that you need to deal with the root of the problem. I have made tempts to stay in counseling, unsuccessfully. I don't think you're on a high enough dose of Xanax. You may need to stay on these kinds of meds, we know the attacks are very disturbing, and dangerous if you can't learn some techniques to control your breathing, racing heart, and delusional thoughts. Therapy or counseling is the most likely key to getting an understanding, and gaining some control.

Answer 3

You poor darlin. This must be truly awful for you. I suffered with panic attacks for many years. It was a side effect of depression. The pills that the doctor gave you (anti-depressants I assume) can take up to 6 weeks to kick in. Unfortunately they wont work over night. They say that the first panic attack you have will be the worst. I dont know how true this is cause they all seemed pretty bad to me. You just have to do what you have to do to get through each one, and give the meds some time to kick in. They can make ALL the difference.
Good luck darl.

Answer 4

Sounds like a bit of both. I've been suffering from panic and anxiety attacks for about four years now. They both feel terrible, so for the person experiencing them, there isn't really much of a difference.

It's a really tough thing to deal with, I know. Personally, I've stayed off any drugs, but when they first started bothering me, my doctor prescribed me a light tranquilizer (though I don't remember the name). You'd place it under your tongue, and by the time it dissolves, your heart has already stopped racing. It gets rid of the body effects, but it doesn't slow down your mind at all.

When it gets really bad, try counting backwards from 100 by threes. This works really well for me. The idea is to get your attention away from the attack. Also try breathing from your stomach. This is incredibly calming, but it takes practise, especially for people with anxiety problems (we tend to breathe with our chest).

The thing about anxiety and panic, is that it starts in your mind, and your body follows along. Your body goes into a fight or flight mode, and it can be really scary. It's hard to understand at first, but it's really, truly, all in your head.

I made great head way with my anxiety and panic when I went to see a counsellor at my university. She gave me tons of information and workbooks that helped me understand my situation better.

The drugs will help a little, but you'll do better in the long run if you learn to control it yourself.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

Hi -- I deal with anxiety myself, so I can relate. However, I think it's disappointing that your doctor prescribed a tranquilizer before doing any medical tests to determine if there's an underlying cause of your anxiety -- My doctor did a blood test on me and found that I in fact had a vitamin deficiency, so she's treating me with megavitamin therapy. There are many reasons why you can experience symptoms of "mental illness" that are in fact things like lead toxicity, toxic poisoning, allergies or other physical ailments. There are also many natural alternatives to psychiatric drugs -- two herbs that help with anxiety are kava and valerian. You may want to find a doctor who does more tests and is more knowledgable about the natural alternatives to psychiatric drugs -- you can find some good ones at http://www.alternativementalhealth.com which is sponsored by an organization named Safe Harbor.

Answer 6

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 7

Hi I totaly understand you. As I am writing to you I am trying to control an anxiety attack. I am taking proxac. I've been on it for about 2 month. It does take time for the medicine to kick in. Right now my attack was so intense that I had to take Lorazepam, an additional depressant. Hang in there man. I know is it hard.

Answer 8

Next time you feel the terror you can relieve it by staying inside of it

(If this doesn't work... you may find solace in meditation -- I recommend simple focus on your breath while breathing from the stomach, in a sitting position...

or... watch your thoughts as they come and go

and... you can get excellent results if you're able to pay undivided attention to your focus on tasks, etc.)

Answer 9

this is a anxiety attack, a panic attack is something that you are afraid will happen as a anxiety attack is something that is already going on, the xanax should relieve the symptoms of both panic and anxiety give it one more day than call the dr and she may increase the dose

Answer 10

anxiety leads to panic attacks. but its all psychological- if you start thinking about your breathing pattern you'll get anxious about it and it will get worse. pumping up with medicine is a typical american response (no offence), if anything the best thing is to go to a psychologist, coz if you don't tackle the problem from the root medicines aren't going to help