I need advice on my panic attacks/anxiety, What can I do to stop this?

Question

I have been experiencing bad anxiety lately. I feel like I can't drive or travel because I think I will stop breathing or pass out. I used to be fine. Get on a plane or go on a road trip, no problem. I am now making excuses to why I cannot go places. I am missing appointments with clients. It is getting bad. I have had panic/anxiety for about 18 months. It just recently got worse in the past 5-6 months though. Anyone have this experience? If so, what did you do to stop these problems? Any books or programs that worked for you? Something besides meds? I don't want to miss out on anymore than I feel I already have.

*I am female
*24 years old
*California
*I don't have medical insurance at the moment

Answer 1

Honey I could write a book on panic/anxiety! I started having symptoms in my early 20's and I thought I was going "crazy". One thing I can tell you is the feeling will go away...I know you feel like you will be this way forever but is does get better. I needed medication to help me however and it gave me back my life. I went on to complete nursing school, raise a family and went back to get my Nurse Practitioner License. There are many books on the subject. Meditation and relaxation also helps, guided imagery etc... You have to realize that this monster called anxiety can't hurt you or kill you...it just makes you feel that way. When you feel one coming on try to get to a quite place, take slow deep breaths and consciously slow your breathing down. Keep telling yourself that you are bigger than the panic! If you decide to go to medication I highly recommend Lexapro, it is one of the serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) and it works well for generalized anxiety disorder and has fewer side effects than most. If you don't have insurance you could go with Celexa which is almost identical (I have taken both) but it comes in generic now. Anyway I hope this helps...I know how frightening it can be especially when you don't know what or why this is happening. You are the right age and unfortunately more women than men have this problem...however take comfort in knowing you are not alone...many people have this problem and live full and wonderful lives....like me! I am 48 years old now and have had panic/anxiety for roughly 26 years. I don't let it stop me from doing what I want...I constantly prove it to be weaker than me :-)
Good luck.

Answer 2

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. People will say that there may be a subconcious reason that you avoid the things you avoid, but the only reason is that you're afraid of having another anxiety attack...which makes it worse.

I've cancelled and missed appointments too. I'm still dealing with this. I used to be so outgoing and LOVE new situations, but now I fear driving or leaving the house, or going to the grocery store...not because I'm afraid of those thing, but because I'm afraid of having an anxiety attack while there since I've had them in that situation before. (I'm 24 and female as well, BTW)

The only things that have helped so far are:
1.) Take a bottle of water and know that it's there (it sort of acts like a teddy bear or favorite blanket did when you were little..you might not need it, but it IS there)
2.) If possible, tell the client when you initially meet them that you have "been feeling light-headed" so that you have the excuse to run to a bathroom and just have a few minutes to try to feel better in a stall. Not everyone understands anxiety attacks, but most people understand becoming light-headed. If you have that "out" available, chances are that you won't need it (but it's there if you DO need it and you won't have to explain yourself afterwards)
3.) After having a positive encounter or experience without having an anxiety attack (especially if you felt one coming on, but willed it away), focus on the fact that you CAN do it without an attack. Tell yourself this over and over.
4.) This sounds awful, but has helped me the most...when in the midst of it think, "So what if I passed out or keeled over dead(because I feel like I can't get enough air or accidentally got too much and hyperventilated) right now? Who cares?" That sounds weird but has helped me at the height of an attack many times.
5.) If you have recently started or changed birth control, change back or realize that panic attacks will happen until your hormones can level out while on it. (this is how my attacks started...they got better after I got off of it, but never went away completely I'm sorry to say.
6.) It is said that they don't last more than 10 minutes. If it lasts longer it's because you have them back to back. Think to yourself, "Even if I get another one right fter this one, I have a break in between ad les than 10 minutes to go." That's helped me too.

Don't let anyone tell you that it's all in your head. It is VERY physical, but if we come up with coping mechanisms, it becomes less awful. Anxiety attacks are something that I'd never wish on my worst enemy. You and I know that they are that awful and indescribable unless the other person has had one. Take care! I really hope this helps and good luck!

BTW, I refuse meds, but I take vitamins which seem to help.

Answer 3

Anxiety attacks happen for a reason. I suggest you find a counselor for talk therapy (you can ask for a sliding scale so the cost is low). Or you can examine yourself. Ask yourself when this began, what was happening when it started?

Often, it is stressful things or traumatic things building up. People with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can have these attacks.

It is your mind over these attacks. When they begin, immediately say to yourself that what you are feeling is not rational. Deep breathing, slowly, practicing meditation and relaxation is important. You need to learn to control them.

I suggest you also understand they can be a lack of something very important in your life, spiritually. Many people think that a good healthy relationship with God will help with these type of problems.

Meds don't take care of the problem, they mask it and make it worse.

Answer 4

before i start..my keyboard has mind of it's own..the key between "c" and "b" doesn't work ..anyway.. i 'm in the same situation as you,you're definetly not alone here....currently i do not take any kind of mediction for my anxiety and i'm seriously considering otherwise.....it's terrible, i feel the same as you ,i'm terrified of dri-ing,especially on the interstate..not to mention traffic and long bridges!!....the worst of all is when someone tailgates me on a one lane road!!!!. i spent a little time researching anxiety and what i ha-e found is: no caffeine, meditate, no alcohol, exercise ( atleast 90 minutes per week),find a book related to anxiety,adjust your diet accordingly, no drugs.....also family history of anxiety/depression plays a role...what part of california are you from? i use to li-e in san diego and san fran....currently i li-e in alabama...please let me know what you think about these suggestions.......and if there is anything i can do to help please let me know....you can e-mail me [e-mail]...

Answer 5

I threw a theory out there.. i don't know if it will help or not.. my fiance is this way sort of.. if it's anything like this.. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjCw5bOIaUPZ4YW2u4ZhrljuxQt.?qid=20070214184638AAkFTwu
try earplugs and/ or sunglasses.

Answer 6

do they have a mental health clinic in your area, look in phone book ,they are based on income. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THAT ,GOT INTO COUNSELING, AND PUT ON ZOLOFT ,IT REALLY HAS HELPED WITH MY PANIC ATTACKS.HERE IS A WEB SITE TO THAT MAY HELP,TOO.

Answer 7

Please visit www.dailystrength.org. There's many people who feel similar. Hope you feel better soon