Who do I turn to for panic attacks and depression?!?

Question

I've been battling depression for years..but kept saying..I'm okay! But the panic attacks are coming daily...several times a day....and with them comes depression and now I feel trapped and alone...where do I turn for some help?! thanks

Answer 1

First, go to a therapist, someone who has specialized training in panic attacks and anxiety disorders. They can teach you techniques to deal with the panic attacks.

Also, go to your primary care physician or a psychiatrist for medication to help you with a medication for when you are in the midst of a panic attack and an anti-depressant.

Studies show that using both of these together will get you the best results.

Answer 2

The person you need to turn to is yourself--you need to take the first step to overcoming the problems. Its very simple--make an appointment with your regular family doctor, or even a walk-in clinic and that will get the ball rolling. The doc can start you on antidepressants, and recommend counselors or other specialists.

In the mean time, there is actually a great deal you can do yourself to overcome panic attacks. Its surprising to many people that panic attacks are nothing more than natural effects of adrenalin which is released when people experience anxiety. Adrenalin makes a person feel like they can't breathe, it raises the pulse rate, causes a person to sweat and feel faint. But all of this is a normal response to adrenalin. So even though it feels like something is seriously wrong with your body, those feelings themselves are nothing to worry about. Often, much of the anxiety a person experiences is worrying about when the next panic attack will occur, which causes adrenalin to be released. Then, when the effects of adrenalin start causing the panic feeling, people become even more panicky as they try to fight the oncoming panic, which causes even more anxiety and adrenalin.

To stop this cycle, people can learn to accept that effects of adrenalin will occur whenever a person experiences anxiety. This stops the escalation of panic from trying to fight the natural effects of adrenalin. The other thing that can be learned is to counteract adrenalin with deep breathing and relaxation techniques.

This web page below has a very good self-help approach for dealing with panic attacks. As for depression, most people benefit from starting with an antidepressant such as Wellbutrin or Prozac, and then refining the treatment by trying different antidepressants and counseling to see which combination works best.

Answer 3

Hello! I’m sorry to hear about you getting panic attacks. I used to have them too (for about 15 years). They stopped after I took a course of Cognitive Behavioural therapy. CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks (and is effective for depression too). The trouble is, it takes a bit of work. However, I have found it to be super effective.

You can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elearning/ It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far. A ‘prettier’ version of this type of programme can be bought at www.thewellnessshop.co.uk. If you don’t like computers, the best book is Dr Robert Burns, The Feeling Good Handbook. It is brilliant and used by many psychologists. Also see http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/minipax.cfm?mini_ID=17 for good anxiety work sheets and information.

All I can say is CBT changed my life. I had to put in a lot of work, but my panic attacks have been virtually eliminated. I also did relaxation exercise tapes 2 or 3 times every day for a year. I still do relaxation exercises from time to time.

If you are overwhelmed by information, remember this: control your breathing and you control panic. If you manage to regulate your breathing it is impossible to get a panic attack. Breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out. Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area).

Make sure you go and see the doctor though - he might be able to offer you some stabilizing medication in the meantime. Good luck - I'm sure you'll beat it!

Answer 4

Mental health could be an answer but you have the power within to work with these disorders open your heart mind and soul to new ideas like Osho Zen change your way of thinking so that you are better at handleing these situations. You can also lessen the effects it has on you and your life if you look beyond your way of thinking and open your heart to news ways.

Stop all intake of caffine! This could be yoyr # 1 cause for the anxiety, do it slowly so that your body will not miss it and make things worse.

Listen to samples 1, 2 & 3
http://www.osho.com/shop/audiobookclub/introduction.cfm

Try a single card reading (6th line down)
http://www.scorpiosite69.freeserve.co.uk/OhsoZenTarotDeck.htm

Answer 5

Millions of people share your problem but live very happy lives. You don't have to feel trapped and alone. Find a good psychiatrist and make an appointment. Be very honest with him / her and you can get the proper treatment to help you feel more like yourself again. You will probably receive some medication and therapy depending on your specific situation.

Answer 6

My best advice is to get a referral for a psychiatrist and counselor from your family doctor. Sometimes depression and anxiety can be helped through cognitive behavioral therapy and other times medication is an option. I have found the best people to help through referrals!

Answer 7

The best advice any of us can give is to suggest that you see a licensed professional counselor whom you can trust. A counselor will be able to learn as much about you as you will allow, and take a thorough personal and medical history. It would be rather unethical for any of us on here to suggest some kind of a quick-fix answer on here. If your problems could be easily dealt with on here, then you likely wouldn't be struggling so much. I would suggest seeing a trained professional. If you're sick, you see a doctor. The same is true for life problems. Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

See depression treatments and panic attacks at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2 and 8.

Answer 9

40000 Cured Social Anxiety - http://SocialAnxiety.uzaev.com/?Hnio

Answer 10

You can take drugs, get counseling, or take it upon yourself to make lifestyle changes.
Anxiety & depression are symptoms of a problem. If you've been suffering for years, you haven't found the problem.