How do I deal with/prevent constant anxiety attacks?

Question

They are extremely painful (especially in the chest) and terrifying. I have tried Xanax, Zoloft. Nothing helps. Please, I can't live like this much longer..

Wickedvoodoo:
??? **** you!!! If I knew who you were, I'd come over there and severely kick your ***. At any rate, I hope someone does!! You deserve it, you piece of ****!! I sincerely asked for advice, and you respond with this crap?? I would report you in a second, if they still had that option available..!! Go **** yourself!!!!

To the rest of you:
Thank you for your helpful advice. I am glad to see that, unlike wickedvoodoo, not everyone is a sadistic asshole.

Btw, wicked voodoo:
I just reported you and recommended that you be expelled from Yahoo Answers until you learn to grow up!! I'm sure everyone else will agree with me. You belong in Hell you sadistic son of a *****!!!

interstate:
Thanks for the advice, but one problem. What gives you the right to assume I am physically weak, that is not the issue here, nor is it relevant..

Surveyor:
Thank you very much. I'll bet If I could find Voodoo and kick his *** into the hospital (where he belongs) that would eliminate a lot of stress right there..

Surveyor:
Thank you very much. I'll bet If I could find Voodoo and kick his *** into the hospital (where he belongs) that would eliminate a lot of stress right there..

Answer 1

I have had anxious feelings, but only twice have I had the chest pains from it. It seems to help when I take really deep breaths and try to focus on something else besides what is causing the anxiety. Try shifting your focus to things that are soothing to you, things that you enjoy. And always remember, things are never as bad as what they seem. You will get through it, you always survive, so relax and try to enjoy life.

Answer 2

I had panic attacks soon after I hooked up with a psycho girlfriend. I thought that breaking up with her would stop the attacks, but it didn't. I haven't had one in over 5 years now. I have had to change the way I deal with stressful situations. Basically, if you try to live by The Serenity Prayer ("God, grant me the serenity..."), it will help keep your priorities in order. The other thing to practice is "letting it go". You have to conciously put things out of your mind that are not worth worrying about. You must be careful not to "pack it away" for later. Things that fall into that category would be news events that have nothing to do with you personally, but cause you stress. I stopped watching the news. You wouldn't believe how much that helped. All the prescription medication has ever done for me is to make my behaviour tolerable for other people. It caused me to be unable to concentrate at work. I don't think any of that stuff works. It is aimed at the symptoms rather than the cause of the affliction. I found 3 natural supplements from an article in Psychology Today magazine that I have taken for the last 5 years.
SAMe
L-Tyrosine
5-HTP
You can find these in almost any vitamin store. Some pharmacies have started to stock them at a more reasonable price. I hope this helps. Good luck.

P.S.
I can't believe that voodoo jerk's answer. If I find his address, I'll give it to you and help you tie his pencil neck into a knot. That helps to prevent panic attacks too. It's better to be non-violent when dealing with the stressfull things in life that you can take control of, but this guy.... I wouldn't take the time to piss on him if his face was on fire.

Answer 3

I have anxiety. I just have to talk myself through them and tell myself that no one ever died from an anxiety attack and it will pass. I have to keep myself busy if i feel anxious to keep my mind off things. At night I very occasionally take Tylenol Pm (which are safe and approved by my OB. All it is, is Tylenol and Benadryl) if I am having a really hard time getting to sleep. Counseling has helped me in the past. Just having someone to talk things out to helps a great deal sometimes. Try to find what is triggering your attacks and try to avoid those things if possible, at least while you are pregnant. I'm not sure what trimester you are in, but the first trimester is especially hard. Your hormones are going crazy anyway and adding anxiety to that just makes it worse. It does get better. I would stay away from medications if possible. Most of them are a category D. Not good!! In the beginning of pregnancy they can cause birth defects and at the end of pregnancy they can be addictive to the fetus. Good luck. I know how you are feeling!

Answer 4

Maybe I'm not sure exactly what an anxiety attack really is, but it sounds like a psycological disease that trigger reactions. Try slowing your life down a bit and don't plan on doing too many things in one day. What is it that causes the anxiety, there must be something stressful if the drugs aren't helping. One other thing could be you have very high blood pressure.

Answer 5

Hi Joseph, i too suffer badly with anxiety attacks but with mine, they dont seem to last maybe 10 mins or an hour, mine last a continuous 8 days and nights. The last attack i had was last week and a doctor had to come out to me twice in a matter of 2 days cos i honestly thought i was dying. Ive been on Sertraline and Fluanaxol for 9 years but to be honest, i think they stopped working years ago. My last option now is Cognitive therypy. Ive read and heard so much about it and its supposed to be far more effective than any drug. Try this health board ill give you, there are so many people suffering like we are and to read their stories makes you feel your not alone.

www.healthboards.com

Let me know what you think of it, trust me, its fantastic!

Answer 6

have you tried wellbutrin? i've been dealing with anxiety attacks for a while now. expecially in crowded places. before i started the medication i just avoided going anywhere, but what kind of life is that? it takes a little while for the meds to get into your system, but i'm noticing a difference. the other day i went to the store and expected to start freaking out, but nothing happened!!!!! otherwise work yourself into it slowly. if you start to feel an attack coming on walk away or do something else. slowly you'll start to see a difference. i hope you find something that will help.

Answer 7

Something a little outside the box. Aromatherapy works great. Burning lavender and/or jasmine oil in your home will greatly reduce your stress levels. It must be real essential oil though. Imitation doe not work. You can also try drinking Chamomile tea 2-3 times a day. You will be calm and relaxed in no time.

I would also suggest trying different forms of meditation. It will help you to focus and balance yourself. I did all this with my boyfriend. He HAD panic attacks like yours. He has been attack free for over 8 months now.

Answer 8

your stress level sounds very high. What in your past are you not dealing with. How's your career choice?? Are you happy at your current job?? Are you in a loving relationship?? Are you happy with your physical makeup?? That's just a few. Evaluate your current life and start to make changes immediately. Brick by brick you can rebuild and create anything you want and those anxiety attacks will disappear.

Answer 9

When I have anxiety attacks I talk myself threw them. Just for the fact I HATE taking any drugs. I just reason with myself when I think I can't breath. I go to the freezer open the door and breath. Then i walk around the house for a bit and then find something to keep my mind occupied. Like go on the net and play a game. It seems to help me anyway. ITs really mind over matter.

Answer 10

I used to suffer badly from anxiety attacks and nothing seemed to help.They would be so bad that i wouldn't leave the house,it felt like i was having a heart attack,they ruined my life.I felt like a hypochondriac always going to my doctor.My doctor was always too quick to give me tablets but i didn't want to be taking tablets for the rest of my life so i decided to stop taking them and learn to live with the attacks.I moved from wales to Scotland and all the things i wouldn't do in wales i had to do in Scotland.I had no family,no friends and no job,every time i felt an attack coming i would do something to take my mind off it and say to myself "here we go again,heres another one."I forced myself out of the house i made friends,got a job and hardly get any attacks at all now.They are very frightening to the person who is having an attack but the only thing that's worked for me is learning to live with them.Everyone is different though.I really hope you can overcome these attacks and get your life back as they ruled my life for a very long time.Good luck.