Does anyone suffer from panic disorder and if so, what do you do/take for it?

Answer 1

Panic disorder is real and potentially disabling, but it can be controlled. Because of the disturbing symptoms that accompany panic disorder, it may be mistaken for heart disease or some other life-threatening medical illness. This misconception often aggravates or triggers future attacks. People frequently go to hospital emergency rooms when they are having a panic attack, and extensive medical tests may be performed to rule out these other conditions, thus creating further anxiety.

Treatment for panic disorder includes medications and a type of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches people about the nature of panic attacks, the cycles of negative thoughts, and demonstrates ways to interrupt the panic process.

Medications can be used to break the psychological connection between a specific phobia and panic attacks. Medications can include antidepressants (SSRI's, MAOI's, etc.) taken every day, or anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines, e.g. -- Valium, Ativan, Xanax, etc.) during or in anticipation of panic attacks. Exposure to the phobia trigger multiple times without a resulting panic attack (due to medication) can often break the phobia-panic pattern, allowing people to function around their phobia without the help of medications. However, minor phobias that develop as a result of the panic attack can often be eliminated without medication through monitored cognitive-behavioral therapy or simply by exposure. The decision to participate in this therapy personally or through a registered practitioner should always be made in conjunction with a medical professional.

Often, a combination of psychotherapy and medications produces good results. Some improvement may be noticed in a fairly short period of time--about 6 to 8 weeks. Thus appropriate treatment by an experienced professional can prevent panic attacks or at least substantially reduce their severity and frequency--bringing significant relief to 70 to 90 percent of people with panic disorder. [2] Relapses may occur, but they can often be effectively treated just like the initial episode.

In addition, people with panic disorder may need treatment for other emotional problems. Clinical depression has often been associated with panic disorder, as have alcoholism and drug addiction. About 30% of people with panic disorder use alcohol and 17% use drugs such as cocaine or marijuana to alleviate the anguish and distress caused by their condition. Research has also suggested that suicide attempts are more frequent in people with panic disorder, although this research remains controversial.

As with many disorders, having a support structure of family and friends who understand the condition can help increase the rate of recovery. During an attack, it is not uncommon for the sufferer to develop irrational, immediate fear, which can often be dispelled by a supporter who is familiar with the condition. For more serious or active treatment, there are support groups for anxiety sufferers which can help people understand and deal with the disorder.

Other forms of treatment include journalling, in which a patient records their day-to-day activities and emotions in a log to find and deal with their personal stresses, and breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing. In some cases, a therapist may use a procedure called interoceptive exposure, in which the symptoms of a panic attack (such as hyperventilation) are induced in order to promote coping skills and show the patient that no harm can come from a panic attack. Stress-relieving activities such as tai-chi, yoga, and physical exercise can also help ameliorate the causes of panic disorder. Many physicians will recommend stress-management, time-management, and emotion-balancing classes and seminars to help patients avoid anxiety in the future.

Answer 2

Yes, I do suffer from acute anxiety and sometimes panic disorder when I encounter large crowds. I think the benzodiazepines are highly effective such as Xanax, Ativan, Diazepam,Clorazepate, however there are risks associated such as physical dependence. BuSpar is another drug that is effective, however it takes up to 7 to 10 days to get into your system and become effective. SSRI's such as Paxil, Zoloft are effective as well, but take up to 10 to 14 days to become effective. Effexor, Effexor XR are indicated as becoming a treatment option for anxiety disorder. Currently I am taking Neurontin at 2700mg per day for pain and my doctor thinks increasing might become effective for my anxiety, however I will note I have not noticed a change. I was on Ativan(Lorazepam) for three years and became very dependant on it. As a result I was becoming addicted so I quit cold turkey which I advise anybody wanting to quit their benzo's never stop, always taper your dosage. Kava, a herb, has been known to be effective, however excessive use could result in damage to your liver.

Answer 3

I have anxiety attacks and before I was pregnant I would take XANAX. It was the most effective, for me, because it kicked in very quickly and was out of my system just as quickly. I miss it now : ) It is HIGHLY addictive though...and I would suggest other ways of handling panic and this as a back up plan.

There are also exercises you can do...writing down what issues your panic is surrounding, draw your attention to something else (anything at all) during the panic attack (like raising your arm...for some reason this always helped me because the act of LOGICALLY telling myself to "raise my arm" would stop the reeling thoughts) and practicing daily meditation.

Sometimes those can stop me if I feel I am going to be upset or in "panic mode" but generally they get so bad that I need to take my medicine.

Answer 4

Ativan---helps at the moment the attacts happens...then Seroquel to help me sleep....Lamictal----because my doctor thinks I am bipolar (I don't think I am) and paxil. The paxil is really helping at this point....I was up to 4 Ativan a day and now only feel the need to take 2 or maybe 3 on an odd day. I think I am over medicatied and am going to stop taking the Lamictal when the prescription is up...ween myself off it....but the others help alot.

See a doctor....don't try to go it alone. Anxiety can be very scary and you need to get some help before it gets worse.

Answer 5

I lie down in bed and relax myself coz the feeling was like I'm gonna faint. I pray coz it's really very scary. I thought some spirits wanted to possess me. So yeah, I pray and I try hard to fall asleep.

But mine is not the right way to treat it. You can read on from here: http://www.anxietypanic.com/

Make your thoughts control your emotions. Think positively that you're not gonna faint nor die, always remember you are gonna be ok, you are in control. Deep breathing, count numbers.. You'll be alrite in a while.

Answer 6

I get great relief from Effexor for depression and panic attacks.

Answer 7

yes i do panic is what i get when i watch cops or see someone being tied up like in a straightjacket i have a deathly fear of it i only wish i knew what to take?

Answer 8

prozac, klonopin and ativan.... prozac - daily ..... ativan - when i need it.. klonopin- i just stopped taking it a few days ago, i was using it on an as needed basis, but when i wouldn't take it i was scared all the time... literally all the time.. i feel better now that it's out of my system... i don't suggust using valium type drugs unless absolutely necessary...