I suffer from panic attacks, need some advice please?

Question

I have suffered from panic attacks for about a year, and didnt have any for about six months until recently. Ive suffered about three this week alone. I try my best to focus on something else and can control them to a certain extent, but we are due to go on holiday on weds and im terrified im gonna get a panic attack on the plane and will freak out, because there is no escape.
Im getting anxious just writing this thinking about it!
Any one got any ideas to get me through this??
I know it is mind over matter, but this is easier said than done. I normally get them in the car, and can pull over and just get out, what the hell am i gonna do in a plane??
Oh my god im cracking up!
Is there any medicaton I can take, or herbal remedys?

Answer 1

Speaking from someone who recently had a panic attack on a plane (I fly loads, I don't like it, but I'm usually fine, but I just couldn't cope this one time recently), I know what you mean.

You can take medication for it, I don't know any herbal remedies, but I've taken diazipan (spelling is wrong I think) before, which is a sedative. I take a small amount so I'm just more relaxed but you can take more which will pretty much make you sleep. Talk to a doctor about sedatives, but of course use them very limited as they can get addictive (if it's just for a flight though, It's no problem at all to take one).

I'd definitely take some sort of medication, there is no reason to suffer when you don't have to. Discuss it with a doctor though, they can suggest good medication, and some will even tell you of herbal things that could help. I'd be more inclined to go with proper medication though because it's likely to be stronger.

Apart from that, just make sure you have plenty to do on the plane, even if it's just a short flight. You defintely don't want to be sat there just thinking. Anything that will keep you occupied and your mind off of where you are is vital. Things like music, reading books, puzzle book, pens and paper to write, playing cards, travel games etc. I always have a big bag of stuff to do, because I know the minute I sit there and start looking around or letting my mind wander, I'll start to worry and then panic.

Good luck with the flight and have a wonderful holiday!

Answer 2

I have suffered with panic attacks for well over 30 years but have been on anti-depressants for the past 20 years and I don't have any. If I go off the meds, they return. They do take a while to get in your system however. Your best bet is to talk to a doctor, who will prescribe anti-depressants. For your flight, ask the doctor to give you a prescription for Xanax or Ativan. If you have a panic attack, take one right away and yo will calm down immediately. These are not for long-term use but good when you need them.

Answer 3

The only thing that helped me was seeing a psychiatrist and getting prescribed Lexapro for my major depression and Ativan (Lorazepam) for my anxiety/panic attacks. I used to have panic attacks when coming home to my apartment. I'd cry, shake then puke on the stairs because I was so afraid of coming home because I was 'afraid' of what I would find. The panic attacks were partially because of post traumatic stress I had from walking in on a guy burglarizing my apartment 2 years before. Every time I came home, I thought my apartment was going to be broken into again. I also always thought my building was burning down when I was out of the house. It made me nervous all day long. I ended up just staying home all the time and becoming housebound because I was afriad to leave.

Eventually, my panic attacks started while I was walking down the street for no real reason at all. Suddenly, I thought I was having an acid flashback and I was delusional. I thought car doors slamming or people on the street were trying to tell me 'secret' messages that something bad had happened to my apartment. I was scared to go home, scared not to go home. I was a mess.

The Ativan helped calm me down but I became addicted pretty fast. It's fast acting but wears off pretty quick. When it would wear off, I'd begin to have another anxiety or panic attack. I felt I needed to take the pills all day long and I was afraid to go anywhere without the bottle. I got off of that and was put on Klonopin which helps me much more. It has a longer half life and I feel pretty calm all day long. I never feel it kick in or wear off so I never feel the need to pop another pill. I just feel sort of normal. I still have some anxiety but no more massive insane panic attacks. I only take 1mg in the morning and .5mg at night. BUT, this is in conjunction with my 30mgs of Lexapro.

Herbal remedies never worked for me...

Answer 4

Sounds like you have had some traumatic experience from the past that caused fear. Over time without inner healing, the problem gets magnified and fear can manifest itself into panic attacks. My suggestion is to get help regarding the original traumatic experience, heal. My answer is to find someone(s) who uses Theophostic, Immanuel or even SOZO healing. There is a part of the brain that holds 'joy'. Sometimes people haven't experienced enough 'joy' in our lives to overcome all the bad stuff that happens to us later in life. My suggestion is to take a few moments EACH DAY to sit and close your eyes, find your happy place, use music or just be quiet and imagine yourself with God or in the heavens. Take some few deep breaths in, hold a couple seconds and let out your breath to blow out anything negative in your being. Try this everyday and create joy that builds up in that place in your brain that holds joy. THEN, when you are around people and you start to feel fear, remember that place you created when you did this exercise, feel the joy instead of the fear.

Answer 5

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 6

Take a thermos of Green tea with you, before you get on the plane drink a glass (cup) of it. While air born if you feel your self starting to get a little panicee drink another cup. Continue to do this untill you've landed or there's no more tea left in your thermos. If you haven't landed yet and you still feel paniced then think about the thermos in your hand, concetrating on the thermos may bring back the calming effect of the tea.

If you feel that won't work, then smoke a phatty before you leave... I guaruntee you'll be right as rain, bro.

Answer 7

You can take an anti-depressant. But, you would need at least a month to get them into your system and the dosage sorted out. So, that wouldn't really work.
You can try deep breathing. Breathe into your belly to the count of 5 through your nose. Hold it for 5, then let it out to the count of 10 through your mouth. It works. The deeper you breathe, the better. It releases stress, and is kind of calming too.
There are also stress balls. They are cheap and you can find them anywhere. You just squeeze it when you feel stressed or anxious. It lets everything out.

Answer 8

see a doctor so you can get some medicine if you feel its what you want. you should go to therapy b/c it does help. i have anxiety and have had panaic attacks. I got this pepermint oil that you put a little on your fingers and then maggage gently into the back of your neck, back of ear lobes, and temples. take a few deep breaths and the pepperment smell helps the tension and calms the tummy. you can also get relaxiation tapes or relaxing music to listen to. talk about it with the people u trust and are there for you. they can help you through it also. try to stay positive (i know it hard when the attack is happening) their are lots of people who go through similar things, its ok your not alone. i have a horriable fear of the dentist and fainting, so i can understand your worries. take care

Answer 9

I don't know about medication or herbel remedies or anything, but for your plane journey maybe phone the airline in advance and warn them? I don't know if they do something about people with panic attacks, but maybe it's like at the dentist if you're scared they give you different treatment to help.
enjoy your holiday and while you're there (and before) basically just try relax, thinking you will get a panic attack means you'll probably get one

Answer 10

ask for a script of xanax its a anti-anxiety benzo and its fast acting and you take it as needed when you feel a panic attack coming on, or when you need to relax, like on a plane in a car. Its truely a miracle drug and it works great. i keep it in my purse for when i feel a pa coming on. good luck i flew a couple times in the last couple months and though omg im gonna freak out and i didnt and i was fine. it was fun actually. my bf said what helps him is to look around and see how relaxed everyone else is like its an everyday thing and that should help relax u. that helps him, xanax helps me. good luck think positive.