How do you cope with Chronic Depression, anxiety disorders, or panic attacks?

Question

I am looking to converse with others on how they have successfully dealt with or are attempting to successfully deal with Chronic Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Disorders,

Answer 1

I feel your pain. I had suffered for many years with anxiety and panic attacks. It was horrible. Socializing was out of the question for me, I would drop where ever I was and woke up seeing strangers around me, thats how severe my panic attacks were..I went through all the phases. You name it , I had it..But thanks to god that with self discipline and prayer Im free from those illnesses. Confront your fears, there are fears that are causing you to react this way without you knowing it..start gradually, but do it, I promise you will make it through... take valerian root , it helps the process go smoother, your self-esteem is low and it causes this nurve outbursts, so say to yourself, who am I, what do I want, and what am i going to do about it...once you discipline yourself in this areas you will feel more mind empowered and will be able to walk in a straight line..if you feel an anxiety attack coming on, breath in a paper bag and don't think on what braught you to that point. Say this and believe it, " Im ok nothing is wrong, its just my nerves trying to control my life" repeat it and apply it. Until it becomes real to you... you will set yourself free if you make effort on your own behalf. Medications are ok, but I went through them, and there only temporary aids... your efforts are permanent. Once you discipline yourself your on your way to freedom...if your spiritual, pray ....whats impossible for mankind is possible for GOD through jesus christ..... Good luck...

Answer 2

Benzodiazepines for panic disorder (xanax, ativan, clonazepam, klonopin, etc.). Benzos can put a transient block on your acute anxiety. This is short-term anti-anxiety medication that you can't take for a long period of time without expecting to form a dependence and need a very, very gradual phase-out. Combine this medication with some exposure therapy that helps you both experience panic symptoms as well as realize that those symptoms absolutely will never kill you. Not one person with panic disorder has ever died from its symptoms. No joke.

Note - Slightly different implications for treatment if it's panic disorder with agoraphobia

Possibly something like Buspar for the general anxiety, but most likely an SSRI (prozac, lexapro, celexa, zoloft, etc.) which are intended to alleviate both the anxious and depressive symptoms. These medications are preferred only if used in conjunction with therapy. Assuming you're an adult, cognitive-behavioral therapy has the absolute best empirical research behind it. It's going to be up to a quality mental health professional to decide which individual treatment plan is best for you. They make this decision based one 1) the severity of these disorders, 2) your ability to comply with treatment, 3) what has/has not worked in the past and 4) your life circumstances... and unfortunately 5) what's covered by insurance. Talk to a professional.

Answer 3

I agree with Hancock, besides prayer too. One, I did the med route-experience here of 16 plus years, did the SSRI-for 3 years, up to maximum dose-WHOA, that does not work, and did cause me problems, some still of which have yet to subside and have been off them for 7 years. Cognitive or Behavioral Therapy is good, I also joined a Panic Support Group, however these are rare in others that I have spoken with in their respective areas. Most docs are too willingly to prescribe anti-depressants, have nothing against benzo's for somewhat immediate relief, other than it being on your mind well past that time. Diaphragmatic breathing techniques are extremely helpful, if your one who has extreme shortness of breath, that smothering feeling and rapid heartrate. As Hancock, described a walk simply will regulate your breathing and release endorphins to offset the adrenaline your body over produces during panic.

Answer 4

Well, for me personally I go to a therapist. It took going to a few to find one that I could really trust and that helps me. I take medication but would like to get off of it when possible. I do tapping exercises to help some for the anxiety and try breathing exercises too. Some times the panic or anxiety limits me to my house but I try to push myself and I am able to actually get out but my life is for sure limited. Will power and friends have been the best thing for me along with my view on wanting things to change for the better and not giving up all though some times that is easier said than done.

Answer 5

I was hooked up to a stress machine, when I thought of the beach I went from 450 down to 300. The relaxation response is like an exercise that you can develop.

Feelings are experienced in the body, so one way to short circuit nervous anxiety, you can relax the body and feelings become under control.

Answer 6

I hope you soon find a way out of your depression.
I found regular exercise, eating foods that were easily digested and avoiding booze n drugs helped.
Further - I set goals - short term, mid term and long term. As I reached these goals I started to feel a LOT better.
I don't place a lot of faith in the drugs I was prescribed - I found they made me a little uneasy and I could not keep my mind on things.
There is nothing like feeling really tired after a long walk or swim. get yourself so exhausted you may forget about feeling down.

Good luck

Answer 7

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 8

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 9

pray and believe time heals all wounds..