Help with Panic Attacks?

Question

Please help me! I am 13 years old and have panic attacks. you cannot relate if you have never had them trust me they make life miserable( when you have them at least when you dont have them life seems normal kinda.....not really...well look it up!) anyway i need help i am terrified to go to school cause i have had 2 panic attacks in school in the past week i need help and please dont suggest , medicane, deep breathing ( i have that) or counsiling....i have a "panic attack" folder i will take with me to school (i just made it up today) and it has some remedies i just need help! Oh and the main cause of my panic attack are because i am scared...no TERRIFIED of throwiing up every time i get a belly ache i freak out and have a panic attack so if you can relate please please please PLEASE (!!!) tell me what works for you! Thank You! I will be eternally grateful!

oh and ive tried medicane, going to the doctor and to a counsilor ! they all (well the Dr. and the councilor) say the same thing "put her on meds" ive tried all kinds of meds NONE WORK! ok i take it back some worked but was either, adicting, i couldnt swallow it (i cant swallow pills for sum weird reason), the side effecta are KILLER, or they just flat-out dont work...................................so thanx for the concern but please tell me sumtin without meds, or drs , or pshcologist peoples

oh and m,y parents know i have opanic attacks (my daddy has them too) but i cant ask him for help when im in school can i? and thats where most of them start ...in school (sry for all of you who put "talk to ma parent " it is a very good suggestion and it works too.......but my parents already know............and please i need help dealing ith them, at school not just at home............THX!

and its not just when we are taking tests....i actually feel relitively calm then....its just random moments...

Answer 1

A panic attack is a sudden rush of uncomfortable physical symptoms coupled with thoughts of impending doom (making a scene, heart attack, not being able to breathe). Although the first panic attack may take place in a distinct situation, further episodes are unpredictable as to time or place.

One or more uncomfortable physical symptoms will be present in a severe form during an actual panic attack, such as increased heart rate, dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, and confusion.

After a number of panic episodes, the individual can become afraid of being a helpless victim of panic. He or she may hesitate to be alone, to venture far from home, or to be in public places. Even when not experiencing an anxiety attack, the person with panic attacks often becomes increasingly nervous and apprehensive. He or she attempts to remain physically and psychologically tense in preparation for the next attack.

Stop doing the activities that seem instinctual in the face of panic. Instead, go directly toward panic, drop your guard and let it touch you. Clearly you will be "experimenting" when you apply these inoculating attitudes. I predict that you also will become immune, which means "not affected by or responsive to" panic.
During an emergency, our breathing rate and pattern change. Instead of breathing slowly from our lower lungs, we begin to breathe rapidly and shallowly from our upper lungs. If during this time we are not physically exerting ourselves, then it can produce a phenomenon called "hyperventilation." This in turn can explain many of the uncomfortable symptoms during panic:

dizziness
shortness of breath
a lump in the throat
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
nausea
confusion.
The good news is that by changing your breathing you can reverse these symptoms.

By shifting your breathing rate and pattern, you can stimulate the body's parasympathetic response. This is the body's equally powerful and opposite system to the Emergency Response and is often called the relaxation response.
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Natural Breathing

Gently and slowly inhale a normal amount of air through your nose, filling only your lower lungs. (Your stomach will expand while your upper chest remains still.)
Exhale easily.
Continue this gentle breathing pattern with a relaxed attitude, concentrating on filling only the lower lungs.

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Calming Breath

Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs.
Hold your breath to the count of "three."
Exhale slowly through pursed lips, while you relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders, and stomach.

Practice this Calming Breath at least ten times a day for several weeks. Use it during times of transition, between projects or whenever you want to let go of tension and begin to experience a sense of calmness. This will help you become familiar and comfortable with the process. And use it any time you begin to feel anxiety or panic building. When you need a tool to help you calm down during panic, you will be more familiar and comfortable with the process.

Answer 2

The first thing you need is great will power. It's very hard to overcome and im speaking from experience of having extreame panic attacks.

When you are at home alone andare your usual self, calm..Get a pen and pad and write down positive things to overcome your attack.

Write along the lines of, ok I don't need to get wokrd up, I feel absolutly fine. There is nor reason whatsoever why i need to panic about this. I need to think of something else, Remeber that funny time when......(think of your funniest memorie)

I know this sounds soo stupid but write whatever positive words you like and either carry it around or memorise it and when you just feel that first slight twinge stop immideatly what your doing, close your eyes (if you can, if not go somewhere not so crowded by people) and just recite this to yourself.

Its all about training your own mind to think differently as panic attacks are definatly all in your own head.

Also when you do have an attack think where you are and what your doing to see if there was something that triggered it and then obvious;y try avoid that situation.

Hope this helped somewhat.

Answer 3

OK, as someone who is fresh off medication for anxiety and panic disorders, let me take a crack at this: A fair few of the symptoms could be either, but all of them could be panic attacks. However, here are a few things which could help you determine which: Do these start after you've been thinking about your health, and wondering if you are OK. Panic attacks normally start with a thought, and build up based on it. Are you mentally confused at all during them? When I had panic attacks, I was never able to sit still. I would try to calm down and breath normally, but the slightest thing would set me off and I'd have to move. Does the shaking happen usually after things start to calm down. Your body produces a huge amount of adrenaline during a panic attack, and coming down off that causes shaking for people who have had panic attacks. If you really try had, and breath slowly and normally, and try to clear your mind, does this help it go away? Does the headache come after as well? I often got them from the physical exertion, which is usually quite extreme during a panic attack. I hope this helps...

Answer 4

I have anxiety and depression and have been using an alternative therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique. It really has helped me a lot. Since using it I have been feeling a lot better. It's very good at getting rid of all kinds of negative emotions and dealing with all kinds of issues quickly. It does sound bizarre but does work. It might be something that can help you. If you type panic in to the search engine of emofree.com you should find some articles about EFT helping people with these problems.

Answer 5

I hate to tell you but the only way that you are going to be able to get over your panic attacks is with the three things that you mentioned above (and hypnotherapy). I've had General Anxiety Disorder since I was eight and I suffered for 23 years without getting to the root cause. The only way I found it was by seeing a psychiatrist.
I have now gone three months without a panic attack. My meds have been cut down to a third of what they were when I started five months ago.
Just try to talk yourself down when you start to feel worked up. Importantly, talk to one or both of your parents about what is going on. You all can decide on what is your best option and how you want to proceed.
I promise you that if you don't deal with it now it will just get worse. Good luck!

Answer 6

Oh bless you. Panic attacks are awful. You must work out where this fear comes from and why you are so scared of being sick. Once you understand why you are scared you can step back and think if I am sick whats the worst that can happen? Try to think positively. bellyache does not often equal vomit. I know its hard to be rational when you are anxious but the anxiety could be making your belly hurt. Its like a vicious circle. Take each day as it comes and everyday think when you get up I DO NOT FEEL SICK AND I AM NOT GOING TO EITHER. If you do then tell yourself that tomorrow you wont and take each day as it comes. Please go to the doctor and ask for cognitive therapy.

Answer 7

You need to find someone calm to go to or call every time you have an attack, the problem with panic attacks is everyone around you starts panicking as well which makes it worse!

Find someone who can stay calm with you through the attacks, it should help you to rationalise them and to calm down yourself.

And whatever you do don't take medication, it's psychological you don't need drugs to help you.

Answer 8

The only answer, sweetie are the ones you're asking us not to tell us.

You need to cure the root cause in therapy and in the meantime take steps that will ease the panic attacks.

There are no hard and fast cures, I am sure you have searched the internet and if there was some miracle, then you would have found it.

I am sorry that I am unable to help further, but you do need therapy, and you will need a way to cope in the meantime.

Answer 9

I use to have panic attacks when I was your age at school when we had a test or exams, they wasn't as bad as yours but they were bad enough.
The way I got over them at school was to focus on happy thoughts like my dog, he was my best mate, he was born on the same day I was and he use to meet me at school, so all I can suggest is to think of a happy thought of a pet, a friend or a holiday, it could even be a favourite tune. If you try this I hope it works for you...good luck and take care...Toe. (have a star to cheer you up)

Answer 10

Yes I know what you are going through it is like dying that sick pit of the stomach life ending fear.But it can be cured, it a matter of going through a trauma that helps put the panic attacks in perspective,Possibly near death or loss of a very dear one. or actually throwing up in class. Now which one do you choose.

Answer 11

im scared of throwing up to, and i have anxiety. so ive had several panic attacks. my therapist taught me a breathing excersize.
breathe in through ur nose (w/ ur mouth closed) for like 10 seconds, then slowwwwly let it out....do this over and over and it should relax u.

also, if u have a stomach ache or are nausious (i get nauseous a lot) start carrying around those red and white peppermint sucking candies. they can help stomach problems (and help me)

i also strongly recommend seeing a counselor (outside of school) they can be very beneficial

good luck!