Does anyone suffer from anxiety/panic disorder?

Question

How do you cope, what have you done to help you get thru the episodes/attacks?

I have seen a doctor and tried group therapy but it seemed I was taking on there anxieties as well. I just do alot of breathing and relaxatin techniques.

Answer 1

When I feel a panic attack coming on, I usually have to get up and move around. I just walk. I feel like my brain is detached from my body. Sometimes I just sit on my hands. I don't know why this works. It just does. I've been off medication for over a year now and this only happens about 3 times a year. I try to breathe deeply through my nose and out my mouth. Sometimes it lasts only a few minutes, but sometimes it goes on for about an hour. I usually feel very tired afterwards and have difficulty holding my head up. If you are at home, you can take a benadryl capsule or 2 to help you relax.

Answer 2

dude. I am in the EXACT same boat as you, and I was unsure if it was anxiety or if I was just a freak too. And I couldn't afford the dr. too, and your parents I bet WOULD understand, especially if it will help you. I found that the dr. wasn't that bad money wise ($58) and what I described is more or less what you described, and he said it was indeed anxiety, (and mine was mixed w/depression too). I swear, I could have written this post. Just research the drugs they want to prescribe you before you have the scrip filled. I was prescribed Effexor, and came home and googled it after I got the scrip filled, and was absolutely HORRIFIED at what people were reporting the side effects were for that one. I am now too scared to take it! But I need it! I think wellbutrin sounds the best side-effect wise, so if you do go to the dr., you may keep this in mind. Just go to the dr. without telling your folks if you have to. Go with a friend. It will be so worth it. I wish I had looked into my anxiety about 20 years ago, my life would have been so different, especially the high school years. Good luck, and be sure to google anything you're prescribed!

Answer 3

I used to many years ago. Not fun at all.

My physcian ordered a prescription for me called Clonopin.
It was a God-send. It prevented at least 99% of the attacks,which were often very severe. At the time,I was also experiencing hypoglycemia(low blood sugar),which often goes hand in hand with panic attacks.

As it was explained to me,the clonopin affects the mitral valve in the heart.

Many times I would be feeling great,no problems,and all of the sudden...I would have either unexplainable pains and or a overwhelming sense that I was going to die.

Thank God,that 3 or so year episode of my life is over.

Answer 4

Yes I suffer from both. I see a Therapist that helps to learn ways to cope. I also take medication I take an Anti-Depressant and also Xanax for the the anxiety. Have you seen a Dr. yet? It sure sounds like you need too. I also have learned breathing exercises that really help. See a good Therapist and a good Dr.

Answer 5

Two excellent books which would help a great deal are:
"Calming Your Anxious Mind."
By: Jeffrey Brantley.
AND
"Coming to Our Senses"
by: Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Books help for Anxiety/Panic Disorders, and also Depression.

Answer 6

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 7

I've been suffering with it since I was in my early teens...it's hard..but you have to first recognize the symptoms..then calm your mind and body during it...it's scary and sometimes you can feel like your dying...but with time you learn different ways to calm yourself through it...something works different for everyone...some people use music, if they feel one comming on, they either pop on some tunes, or sing a song in there head till it's over. watching your diet will help too...no food late at night, cut back on caffine useage..try herbal teas with natural relaxants in them..and if nothing else works, a trip to the doctor will help, they will give you some meds that can stop them almost all together.

Answer 8

please, this may sound strange, but have your liver checked out...it could be nash or hcv or another disease that has left you with any sort of liver damage, this makes the toxins and waste stay in your body longer causing an upset in the brain and the chemicals there of....i cannot stress this enough.

*alt and ast levels may or may not show an increase, so please tell your doctor not to rely on this as a means of how well the liver appears, truth is, alt and ast levels wax and wane with liver disease.

Answer 9

yes and it's awful, I've been like this since I was a teen. I take Celexa, I feel much better, controls my out of control thinking,worrying about every little thing. you should talk to doctor about it.

Answer 10

yes i do i take pills called novo- venlexine ask your doctor about the pills it,s organic.