How do I get rid of anxiety and panic attack, I don't want medications?

Answer 1

There is a book called "The Relaxation Response." You can find the book in just about any of the big book stores in paperback for about $7. Read the book and do the breathing exercises. It works.

Answer 2

You might want to try CBT. It helps you identify the early signs of a stress response, how thoughts influence and behavior, and soforth. Do you know the difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist? A psychiatrist does diagnoses and prescribes medication, a psychologist doesn't do that, it's mainly talking and behavior therapy. If it doesn't get better by these means though, please reconsider medication, you may only need a short course of it. I didn't want to take medication either when I was a young person but it does help me now, and no real side effects. People will take medication is they suffer from a physical illness but are often relectant for a psychological ailment. Depression though is often caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry, it is not a weakness or character fault, you don't need to feel judged for it.

Answer 3

Ya, pot can make your anxiety increase in many cases.

That's a tough one if you don't want to be on meds. I can tell you from my own, current experience that meds don't have to turn you into a zombie, make you gain weight, or just make you feel weird in general.

My doc recently put me on Symbyax. At first I was a little sleepy, but that went away pretty quick. Now I feel exactly like "me" only an improved me!

I no longer have anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in 4 months (i've been on the meds for 4 months). I sleep very well at night (used to have bad insomnia). I no longer get irritated at small things. I haven't had one "bad day" since I started on them.

Getting on meds was the best thing that ever happened to me.

My father is on the same meds and all his anxiety went away too. No more panic attacks for him either.

At least give em a look...read up on some stuff. You may be pleasantly surprised.


Downhome, don't go all Tom Cruise on us. What works for you isn't for everyone.

Answer 4

You have to face the problem and adjust to a new attitude to counteract the problems of this painful syndrome,first of all you must be positive, you must offload as much stress as possible. ,because this is the root cause, learn to be more outspoken and don't allow people to put on you.Don't bottle things up because this only serves to aggravate the condition. Take control of your own life, don't overwork this is a prime problem with Panic Syndrome,exhaustion is a large part of the problem ,don't overload your system with I musts ,you know the scenario, I must do this I must do that, fill your life with I want to instead,show others the way, choose your own path and don't be swayed off course.Try meditation and yoga, use natural oils in your bath and get plenty of sleep, don't become overtired, if you are tired go to bed and rest, read for a while as this is relaxing. Don't take on,more than you can cope with, if a panic starts walk around at a gentle pace,in a quiet area or room,this helps, walking helps to regulate the breathing pattern.Go to a group counseling session, talk to others about how you feel ,it really helps.

Answer 5

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

if not you could be suffering from Generalized Anxiety
Disorder..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/general_anx...

There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

I recommend a mild anti-anxiety med in addition to CBT therapy.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 6

Hi,
There is this guide by anxiety expert Joe Barry , he has taught thousands of people to be panic free without any medication using a revolutionary new technique, http://www.panicaway.co.nr , its really a great guide , it should help you get rid of panic attacks forever in a few days

Hope this helps you and wish you the best of health

Answer 7

I don't blame you, I occasionally get panic attacks, but much less so after I adopted some techniques:

When you feel one coming on, take a deep breath and remind yourself that YOU are in control of your mind and body, and you control how it feels. You can out-rationalize a runaway mind when it goes into panic mode. After some practice, it's not hard to normalize yourself when necessary.

Edt: Marijuana will not cure it, in fact it can make it much worse!

Answer 8

It really depends on the type of person you are. I have been suffering from a panic disorder for over 15 years. The only thing that ever fully worked was Paxil. Since I do not have health insurance now, I have to deal with it as best as possible. There are MANY techniques you can use to deal with them. You can find some pretty helpful stuff here...http://www.anxietypanic.com/

Answer 9

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 10

Yeah, stay away from those meds like paxil. I took that once and i hated the little electric shocks i felt in my brain from that medicine. Marijuana makes it worse too.

I havent had a panic attack for many years now, but i used to get them quite often. The trick is when you feel it coming on, you have to focus on something else, and once you get focused on that, then focus on something else. Like for instance, you feel a panic attack coming on, instantly try to think of your favorite TV show, then switch thoughts and maybe think of any groceries you need to buy at the store later, basically think of anything that makes you feel calm. It takes a bit of time to be able to do it really well, but eventually you will just be able to knock those panic attacks out at will before they start getting too strong.

Answer 11

Bio-feedback can help with panic attacks in some instances. It helped me with my fear of flying. I still get anxious but I don't panic . I have to fly a lot and never have enjoyed it. Now its ok ,I can almost relax.