PANIC! all the time?

Question

Okay, earlier today I asked about what type of mental disorder I had, then went to a psychiatrist and found I had AvPD (avoidant personality disorder.) One symptom of this disorder is panic attacks, but I do not think mine are normal. At one point it was so bad that I was hyperventilating to the point I went unconcious and then when I awoke the same happened again, over and over for about half an hour. When I finally clamed down I called a doctor (no one was with me at the time) who said that it was only anxiety and nothing will come of it. But I am seriously freaked out, so does anyone out there know of medication or something that can get rid of very severe panic attacks?

Answer 1

If it is as you say I would find another Doctor. Because to me it does not sound normal. I have been treated for anxiety and depression for 15 years and this sounds familiar to me.

Answer 2

The cure for a severe panic attack is too simple to be believed. It's like this: when you hyperventilate, you expel all the carbon dioxide that is in your blood stream by breathing too fast. This puts your blood gases out of balance, and you feel like you can't breathe, so you breathe faster, etc. It's not dangerous, but very distressing.
To get some carbon dioxide back into your system, blow up a bag full of air. Then keep re-breathing the air in the bag. Breathe as fast as you want to, but don't breathe any fresh air until the gasping stops. You'll feel much better.
Now, when you are not in the middle of an attack, go for a run or do some aerobic exercise. This will help you to get used to the sensation of hard breathing in a positive context. So if you do get a panic attack, you won't be so scared by it, and it won't be as severe.

Answer 3

See panic attack treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 8.