Other than medication, is there anyway to stop panic attacks?

Question

The medications make me tired and so I don't like to take them. I don't have them very often, but when I do my whole day is ruined. They just increase throughout the day. I wake up in the mornings and usually have a different attitude, but feel very drained. I started having them about two years ago, now, they are starting to interfere with my relationships. I just started dating again after two years of living the single life, started back to college, I work fulltime, and am a single mother. I have a full plate and know they are being caused by so much change, but everything is important, and I can't give any of them up. Any advice?

I was taking fluxetine on a daily basis, but then when they started tapering off, they put me on xanex. I only take it when I am having an attack, the problem is, that I wait until night to take it because it makes me sleepy. I do smoke, but I don't take illegal drugs. Thanks to everyone for there advice. At times you can forget that you aren't the only one who suffers from anxiety, and panic attacks. Thanks again.

Answer 1

Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy. You can also try meditation and relaxation techniques. The stress that has been added to your life lately can and will most likely negatively effect your panic attacks. It would be a good idea to get a mental health assessment so you can get the proper help you need to succeed in school and in your relationship. There are also some herbal remedies you can try for panic attacks depending whether or not your attacks are cued or uncued. Good luck!

Answer 2

Lately, I have been thinking about the last five years or so and I have a theory about panic attacks and anxiety. The only time I didn't have them was when I was so severly depressed that I didn't have emotions. No emotions = no panic attacks. As soon as I started feeling thing's again, there the anxiety and panic were. So it's emotional. I explored it a little and when I would start getting that tightness feeling in my chest I would stop and ask myself what emotion I should be feeling? Mostly, it was sadness for reasons that go hand in hand with the depression but really anything from excitement to fear. Then I would concentrate really hard, thinking about how that emotion feels and focusing on that feeling. All of a sudden, the tightness would move from my chest to my throat, kind of like before you are about to cry (I can't cry so that is as close as I can ever get) and I would feel that for a while. Afterwards the anxiety and panic would disappear. I did this over and over for about a month or so and now I don't even get the panic I just feel strange emotions sometimes. So I think long term panic and anxiety are due to unresolved and stored emotional conflicts. A person, by failing to acknowledge one of these things creates a problem the body percieves as an immediate physical threat and responds with panic. Acknowledge the problem, allow yourself to feel those emotions and dispose of the anxiety. That's for long term at least. Cognitive therapy is what works. I did mine myself. No need for a therapist AND NO MEDICATIONS EITHER!!! It just takes more effort and a little extra time.

Answer 3

Some things that will cause panic attacks
Nicotine, caffine, marijuana. This info comes straight out of Abnormal psy. Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders 5th ed.

If your taking any of these substances quit or cut back and see if that helps.

It looks like you live quite the busy life. I am also a single mom, fulltime college and work. Oh how the stress can get to us.

Excersise, or take up danceing even if it is just at home. Excersise will relieve stress which will probably relieve your symtoms of panic attacks/ anxiety about having another panic attack.

When you get in that feeling of worry about a panic attack. Stay calm, breathe slowly, and tell yourself this is all in your head. Perhaps distract yourself with something that you enjoy doing that is a peaceful thing.

I was suffering from these myself but I didn't want to take medication if at all possible. I completely stopped smoking marijuana because I knew that this may of been my problem. (Panic attack substance related disorder.) It seemed to help some but not alot. I then cut back on my caffine and at first it didn't seem to be working but after about 3 weeks the anxiety and the panic attacks disapeard.

I am sure there are other drugs that can cause these but I am unsure of what those may be.

If your not taking any of these substances then I am going assume it is the busy life. Stress can play a factor. Ofcourse we can't just quit our job, school, or being a mom. We have to find ways of relaxing. Try nice hot baths soft music and stop thinking about what you did or what you have to do. Take time for yourself.

Hopefully you will find something here that is helpfull.

Good luck to you

Answer 4

Which medications were you on? If you only have the panic attacks occasionally, couldn't you take a fast acting benzodiazepine as needed? It's a bad idea to take medication everyday for occasional problems anyway.

You could also find a therapist that specializes in panic attacks without meds.

Answer 5

The key is that you should stop struggling with panic attacks, accepting them is the first step towards recovery. 1)Tell yourself that you can handle whatever symptoms you are experiencing and panic attacks will not kill you, just accept what your body is going through for the time being and direct your attention elsewhere and definitely do not catastrophize. 2)Certain lifestyle changes are needed if you're more of an indoor person, such as a healthy diet ,more sunlight and drink lots of water. You also need to be diagnosed in case of vitamin deficiencies or hormonal imbalances (usually deficiencies in vitamin B-complex or iron manifest themselves as anxiety). 3) Cut off stimulants : No coffee, no smoking, no drinking. 4) Magnesium is the mineral supplement known to significantly reduce anxiety. I suggest you to look into it more.

Answer 6

Try to start some methods of relaxation, i used to go and have a shower or a long soak. Obviously in some situations you can't do that, but you could stop and take deep breaths every so often. You could exercise when you feel you may have one. Good luck, remember you have panic attacks but they don't have to have you =o)

Answer 7

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 8

well i know you don't wnat to be on meds who does but if they help you get by and it's not all the time....to be honest i say take them..but perhaps try a different med..there are so many different ones out there now..i know what you mean about a full plate..you sound like you have my life!! it sounds like you don' even have time to do something like yoga or deep breathing and imaging...how about listening while on the go to some of that peaceful music (like the ocean and seagulls) you hear at a Spa!! that can actually bring down your heartbeat if you find the right one..but not to loud or wild because then listening to that could actually make you more stressed and the heart beating faster!...panic attacks suck...but take one day a a time unless you will remain too overwhelmed...think of it this way..suppose you have an apple pie you can't wait to get your hands (and stomach!) on...well of course eating a whole pie at once would make you sick...so you take say maybe one slice of the whole each day and before you know it...the whole pie is gone...too much of anything coming at you all at once is no good for anyone!...take care of yourself...and who knows maybe you can try a little of all the above and make it work,,,however let me strongly suggest to go back on meds..nad it may not be forever but it does make it easier to get one foot in front of the other!

Answer 9

i was diagnosed with panic disorder about a year ago, and they put me on zoloft, but it takes almost a month for it to work, they dont make you tired, like im guessing xanax. but i could no longer afford zoloft because they do not have a generic, and i do not have insurance. now i am on prozac, which they had to up the doseage and im not sure that i really like it. but depending on how often you get them, i was getting them almost everyday, and when i wasnt having them i didnt wanna leave the house because i was afraid i would have one, is probably what they will give you. i know it sucks, and i hate it, i just want to be normal again. they just come out of nowhere and for no reason. well i hope this helped you out some. just talk to your dr. good luck.

Answer 10

I too suffered from panic attacks which ultimately limited my ability to travel, fly, etc. However, as I look back over my life, I realize the times that I did were usually after childbirth or menopause, which tells me that they were a result of a fluctuation in my estrogen level. Please have your ob-gyn check your estrogen level and maybe put you on birth control pills to level out your estrogen. I think you will find the panic attacks disappear by themselves!