I am currently having anxiety attacks. I have been having them for a week and I am really freaking out.?

Question

If you have experienced them, please help me to calm down.

Answer 1

you need to see a doctor right away they can get worse,you may need to be put on medication, and they are a big pain in the butt and embarrassing

Answer 2

The worst part is when the attack strikes for no apparent reason. The reason will probably have to be obtained for long term success through some form of self analysis or therapy. However, for immediate relief, a simple technique worked best for me. Pay attention to the physical symptoms of your anxiety. If it's a really strong one, you will notice a change in your heart beat, your breathing. You might find yourself sweating or with dry mouth. So, the theory is plain. If emotions can bring physical changes, then why not the other way around?
Try to exert control over your breathing. Start doing it with greater regularity. That is my mechanism of defense. I will concentrate on the breathing, and the severity of the attack shall pass. As simple as that, breathe regularly for a while, pay attention to the air getting in and out, pay attention to the heart slowing down back to normal. It's like in quantum physics, your process of self observation changes subtly the thing you observe. At least it worked for me, immediately. Hope that helps any. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have been dealing with them for 15 years. It took me years to be able to have better contol over them. I am on Lexapro at the moment and have been on other SSRI (zoloft-worked great, made me really really tired, effexor-didn't work that great for me). The drugs help greatly but not 100%. Lots of people see therapists, I have absolutely no way to fit that into my schedule. Ways to help calm down, if i'm at home i just lay in bed, curled up under the blankets and wait for it to pass. Unfortunatly most happen outside of home. Here i try to just slow down, relax, breathe deep. I tell my self over and over, i am just having a panic attack and it will pass. I try really hard to ignore the physical symptoms, i find that if i think about them, they get worse and the attack lasts longer. So mainly i just go slow, breath deeply and slowly and concentrate on something else. If i am in a noisy crowded place, i leave if possible, these situations always make things worse. Get a good nights sleep. I tend to be mroe prone to attacks if i am tired. And like people already mentioned avoid the caffeine.

Answer 4

I don't get attacks, i get generalized anxiety, but i found these things helped me:

use guided imagery/passive muscle relaxation tapes

turn up the heat in the house. hard to feel anxious when you are warm. Try a hot bath/shower (bath is better) or if at work, run hot water over your hands. Wear a sweater/sweatshirt.

Cut back or eliminate caffeine-it increases anxiety. Some pills like sudafed (cold remedy) can cause anxiety too. Stopping a medication can cause a rebound effect, also.

try to get enough sleep -too little sleep makes my anxiety worse, maybe yours too?

Good luck!!

Answer 5

There are 2 programs out there that are famous for treating Panic Attacks and Anxiety successfully. They are: Panic Away and The Linden Method. You may wonder, "Which one is better?" Don't worry, you're not the only one with that question. The Panic Away program is more appropriate for people who can cope with their Panic Attacks or Anxiety well. Linden Method is more for those who aren't really good in coping their Panic Attacks or Anxiety well. Check out the reference for the full comparison.

Answer 6

I've had them and mine were really bad, I was on meds for a little bit but It helped me when someone I trusted (my mom, my boyfriend) would rub my back (not massage, but just rub with a flat palm) while I closed my eyes and pretended I was somewhere else... even if it was just a dark room and I just thought about my breathing. I would concentrate on physically and consciously evening my breaths, making them slow and long. It would take a few minutes, but I usually came down more quickly than if I didn't do anything.

Answer 7

What has always worked for me is to sit down or lie down and start taking slow, deep breaths. Almost instantly cures my problem. Also, I am taking a medicine called Buspar that helps calm my anxiety. Works great too.

Answer 8

I had to go to the doc he gave me valium and prozac....when i have an attack i usually pass out so i really needed medicaion

Answer 9

I definately had them too! and they can be scary. Cut down on caffeine if you drink it and try to do things that help you relax.

Answer 10

I do yoga, deep breathing and take lorazapam.