Panic attacks?

Question

As of recent I have been suffering from what I think are panic attacks. They seem to fit the criteria for what panic attack is (increased breathing rate, faster heart beat, choking sensation, tons of anxiety, looking like I'm about to faint/that I'm sick) but they tend it last quite a long time. They can be anywhere from 5 minutes to the longest one which was nearly 3 hours of pretty constant symptoms which eventually landed me in the nurse.

I guess the first time I was aware of myself having panic attacks was this february when in class I was suffering extreme anxiety and the various other symptoms untill I eventually started sobbing and then collapsed right in the middle of class.

They are always triggered in social situations like in the class rom or when I need to approach someone.

With deep breathing I generally can keep them under control, but all the anxiety I feel is just hell.

I'd like to add some more details

I'm an 18 year old senior with solid grades. I really have no close friends and suffer from this anxiety with pretty much everyone, no exception.

I can handle just being in a group usually, but that is when I don't have to actaully confront anyone or anything.

I have been on Zoloft for 2 week nows to treat my depression and anxiety, but it really hasn't done anything yet (I know it may take longer). As of Decemeber I just feel that all of my problems have been getting worse (the ammount of anxiety experienced, depression) even though I have been getting help.

My doctor mentioned anxiety reducing medecine that is not addictive, but they said they wanted to see if the zoloft alone would make a difference once they increase the dosage one more time and give it some time.

me and my counselor have tried the visualization technique, it really doesn't help me.

The zoloft is for depression and as an SSRI can help reduce anxiety in some cases (or that is what I have been told).

Then yes there are lots of other things bothering me. I have extremly low self esteem, poor self image, lack of social skills, lots of stress and well me and my counsolor haven't been able to really get very far in resolving anything. I don't know what is the source of the problem, when I originally went to seek help I thought I have social anxiety disorder, but she doesn't think so and says that it is the depression that is the cause for most of the problems, but I don't really know the source for the depression.

to make it clear the zoloft is for my depression

Answer 1

Panic and anxiety attacks are a scary experience. Keep taking the Zoloft, it may take a month to start working. The anxiety that you are feeling may be a result of the depression so that is why the doc wants to keep you on the antidepressants.
Make sure that when you are deep breathing that they are not fast breaths because this will decrease the CO2 in your brain and cause you to pass out. pay attention to your surroundings and make sure that you know that these attacks will pass and you will not die. if you concentrate on what your mind and body are going through this may increase the severity of the attack and make you feel like you are going to die.
Continue counseling, if you feel your current counselor in not a good fit, or helping you, Find another one. It may take you three tries but eventually you should be able to find one that can help you

Good Luck

Answer 2

It sure sounds like panic attacks. I used to have them fairly often but have gotten them under control now. I don't take any medication for them. I did get a little bit of counseling, though. During the counseling sessions, the counseler had me practice deep breathing and when I was completely relaxed would ask me to describe the most peaceful place I've ever seen. The challenge was that I could only use one word to describe it. Now, when I feel an attack coming on. I try to find a quiet place and concentrate on my key word until I can visualize my peaceful place and calm back down. I can't promise that this will work for you, but it has most certainly worked for me.

Answer 3

zoloft does not help with anxiety attacks, talk to your doc there are other meds that can be prescribed for short term use to help you deal with stress as you go to therapy. Deep breathing is a great tool, but there is obviously other things bothering you. Find a support group and be honest with your doc

Answer 4

You may need to be on medication for anxiety. I know, anxiety and panic attacks are awful. I take Xanax when I feel over anxious. Go to your doctor - he will give you medication. But be careful some medicines can be very addicting. Those medications you only want to take when really needed.

Answer 5

I suffer from pannic attack too , I reduce them with Seroquel And with Trileptal , Trileptal is for sizures , but it realy help me to control the pannic atack.

Answer 6

I am not a dr, but I don't think that Zoloft is for panic attacks. I would talk to your dr.

Answer 7

I find that sometimes even the terms we use can ease our stress and suffering.

Instead of "confronting" people, I approach people, I speak with people, I ask people questions.