Does anyone get panic attacks?

Question

I dont get full blown ones but does anyone get small episodes at a time?

Answer 1

I do. I have had major attacks in the past, but they have abated somewhat in the past two years. I don't take any meds right now. The one I was on worked, but it left my mouth so dry I had to constantly carry a drink with me, and left a horrible copper taste in my mouth all the time. I finally decided to go it alone, and I've done fine. I sometimes wake at night, with my heart pounding in my chest so bad I can barely breathe, but I now know to get on up rather than lay there and fight it. I make chamomile tea with honey and milk for a natural soother and sleep inducer, and I read the Bible or a quiet novel (nothing that will get me geared up). I listen to jazz, or classical music, or even nature sounds like a thunder storm or waterfall. When my heart is beating normally, I go on back to bed.
If I have one during the day, I just go with the flow, and remove myself from a crowd if I'm in one. That helps, to get away from everybody. I remember to breathe deep and if I have to, I will close my eyes to tune everything out until I can get a grip. I know it will pass, and that helps.
I used to have them in the car a good bit, but I haven't had one since I had to get out of my own car and call a cab to take me to where I was headed. That one was the worst, and it hasn't happened since! Good luck to you!

Answer 2

I suffer from panic atacks all the time. First I will get a small one where my heart starts to beat faster and my breathing shallower. This becomes more and more upseating until I have a full blown attack. Sometimes it is enough so that I totally forget about the person I am talking to for a second. I find that I you hang out with friends and family, it will reduce the severity and frequency of the attacks. Also excersisaing is a great way to reduce the severity. It is something that you have toi learn to cope with. I try facing whatever triggers it and preparing for it. This way I am ready when it does come. Hopefully your anxiety doesnt escalate. My best advice is to prepare now for attacks in the future. Deep breathing, word of encouragement, and sometimes a moment of relaxation can do wonders. I hope this helps answer your question.

Answer 3

I do.

And the range or severity of them can differ depending on what's going on... some people say that if you take anxiety and place it on a scale of 1 to 10, that you can usually pinpoint a number where panic kicks in... for me, it's when I hit about a 6 on that scale.

Before I reach a 6, I get the smaller episodes... I can cycle quite rapidly ... my anxiety isn't full blown, but I can get myself pretty worked up.

Sometimes if you are not someone who gets full blown panic attacks but spend a great deal of time anxious about things, they will suggest that you have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) - is that what you are talking about?

Nonetheless, anxiety and the level at which it affects everyone, and the level where it becomes full blown into a panic attack is different.

Whatever the case for you, I recommend reading the "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" - it gave me great tools on dealing with the panic attacks. The biggest thing I got out of it was the knowledge of what I was dealing with. This knowledge, combined with some therapist help and medicine intervention, helped me to get my life back on track.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes. I get the big ones and the small ones. I call the small ones 'anxiety attacks' and the big, out of control ones 'panic attacks'. I was taking Ativan for it and it really helped with the major panic attacks but it wasn't so good for the smaller random attacks. It's a fast acting drug so if you are experiencing a lot of minor attacks, you end up taking pills all day long to calm you down. It gets very addictive. I recently changed to Klonopin which is longer lasting and I only need to take one pill in the morning. It's kept me from having all the small attacks throughout the day. I've also yet to have a major panic attack since I've been on Klonopin. I'm sure that my antidepressant medication is also helping a bit.

Answer 5

I get major panic attacks. Your small episodes can lead to full blown panic attacks if you don't keep control of them.

Answer 6

Yes, to what reason did you want to know?

Answer 7

no but i get neverous alot about stuff that doesnt matter

Answer 8

yes it happens to me too

Answer 9

I do. they can be hell. I take seracel and that helps.