What is the best way to stop anxiety attacks?

Answer 1

Self-hypnosis will re-program your brain. Anxiety attacks are "fake" fear-sensations. You have nothing to fear (not really) but your brain got confused. Self-hypnosis and visualization can bring down the anxiety and make relaxation, rather than fear, your reaction. There are many CDs/MP3's you can download and if you understand that you control your brain and that anxiety is just "fake fear" you can dismiss the sensations.

Answer 2

I read a book by Linda Basset called "From Panic to Power" which was helpful.

Linda's book was the first time I realised that I was not the only one who suffered from this condition and that it could be overcome. I was not the only one losing it :)

My main problem was, and still is to some extent, trying to explain what it is I was going through and what sparked the attacks - as it is general it could be many things, and my symptoms evolved over time!!

I have now conquered my attacks to a point where my quality of life has returned to an acceptable and enjoyable level, although I still hit the odd things that trigger it.

You need to accept there is no magic cure. It's a hard thing to crack, but you are not alone, and it can be done.

Do not be afraid to accept drug treatment with counselling if your doctor suggests it will help - I refused any drugs for over 10 years and got no where, in fact I got worse.

Accept also that you may never be 100% cured, 95% is OK, 90%, 80%,or even just 1% bit better than you were last week.

You may also have a setback that is perfectly normal - I know I do :)

You will find that many people have hang ups about something, and in their phobic situation can be a lot worse off than you!

Do things at your own pace and try and build on things, but do not think you have to do anything you do not want to.

Follow the method, but if it makes you uncomfortable give your self permission not to do something and perhaps try again another time - stuff what anybody else thinks.

Learning to breathe deeply is probably the most important thing I learnt. I found that mints really helped as you can feel that cool rush of air hitting your lungs.

I now accept that I may have the odd attack, but can control my breathing which helps. I know that it is irrational, but have stopped beating myself up over it. It will pass, and after it has I know I will feel better.

This acceptance in itself was probably my biggest breakthrough and helped stop the majority of my attacks as I just did things and rode out the attacks - eventually they stopped in many situations.

One other thing - give your self permission to not do things you do not want to, or in situations you are not ready to face. I found that by doing this I did not feel obligated, and so felt more relaxed about things.

I now do things which sometimes I look back at and am amazed I did not even give a thought to, and pat myself on the back as I would not have been able to do it a few years ago.

Don't expect overnight results, but it can be faced. It will seem hard, and maybe impossible at times (maybe even now), but even if you only make small progress, it is still progress that you can build upon.

We sufferers must stop spending money trying to find the elusive magic cure, as it does not exist – it’s hard to hear that, but it is true.

But keep hope in the knowledge others have been here and gotten better ..and I am one of them ?;-)

Answer 3

Look for some kava kava tea at your local health food store. Convince an MD that you have general anxiety disorder, and that you need a benzo. I take 40 mg. of valium, and 30 mg. of dalmane. Ativan seems to be the latest benzo that doctors are prescribing, klonopins are also popular. Find out what mg. is best for you. But know that they are very addicting, but they do work. Many doctors try to pass off other drugs like hydroxzine for anxiety, but it's only an antihistamine that makes me tired. Buspar is also a joke. Also, you can go to NAMI support groups in your area. That way you can talk to others about your anxiety. Even if this seems terrifying, it's often good theory to talk in a group.

Answer 4

I bought the book Panic Attacks by Christine Ingram and found it extremely useful. I was having 6 or 7 attacks a week and the book shows you how to identify them, how to live a normal life and how your friends and family can help. My last one was two weeks ago. I know that when they rear their ugly head again I will be in better control

I also went to my GP and actually had a doctor who did not push the pills. He showed me deep breathing exercises and Emotional Freedom Techniques. I was a bit sceptical at first. Not sure if it is a distraction technique or if it actually works but the system he recommended can be found on www123eft.com/eft-trial.com the other name for it is Tapping. I find that when I feel the anxiety building up the tapping distracts me and sort of grounds me.

I have suffered from crippling panic attacks for the past 15 years and was living in a continual adrenaline state. I sort help 4 months ago after 'living' with it for 15 years.

Email me if you need to and remember you can control them rather than them control you. Took me 15 years to realise that!

Answer 5

Read "Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About".
It changed my life.
It talks about how some people have sensitivities to certain additives and preservatives resulting in panic attacks, migraines, depression, illness and a host of other things.
It worked for me. I have never felt better. I had panic attacks, migraines, allergies, and stomach problems. I followed the advise in this book and did some of the cures and my symptoms decreased almost immediately. I've had 3 migraines this YEAR, down from 3-4 a month! Allergies and panic attacks have almost cleared up, and my stomach doesn't hurt all the time anymore.
Get it out of the library. That way you have lost nothing and can try it "risk free"
Sorry I sound like a infomercial, but it really does work wonders and you have nothing to lose.

Answer 6

I suffered from a panic disorder for many years. Talking to a therapist helped a little bit, but the thing that cured me from having any more panic attacks was practicing yoga and going for runs and long walks. Your body is absorbing all of this stress and the best way to get rid of it is to release it with a good workout. Yoga is especially helpful for stress because it demands your full concentration and helps you to forget about your worries. I hope you find this helpful and I'm sorry that you're going through this-- I know how hard it is.

Answer 7

I used to have anxiety attacks and took medication for many years.I took xanax and this helped me.I am now dealing with the few anxiety episodes with no medication.I have been through it all with GAD and I think you just have to reassure yourself that your not going to die, have a heartattack etc, that your okay, that it will pass, and breath slowly through your nose and out your mouth.Some people can handle this without meds and some ppl need them. Please talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Answer 8

Since moving to UK i have suffered from anxiety attacks. There is help out there i am still trying to find out about it. Talk to your Dr and he will organize it for you. Good luck:))

Answer 9

CBT was very effective for me, perhaps discuss with your Doctor? Certainly Alprazolam (Zanax) is very effective drug in treating anxiety disorders, but can only be used for short periods of time, up to 3 months it is very habit forming, and very hard to withdraw from after treatment and many people find their symptoms return with avengence. (I speak from experience) I would discuss how you feel with your Doctor, If a course of CBT is available, educate yourself on how it works, and decide from there. Very best of luck to you.

Answer 10

The only way i found worked was by focusing on one thing you can see and just concentrating on it.....your heart rate will go down and youll start to relax...and if you keep thinking your going to have one you will, also knowing the bottom line which is you might start panicking but your body cant stay in that state forever it has to calm down eventually. (realistic thinking in other words)