i suffer from anxiety/panic attacks....i never know when its coming its just does i get the cold sweats i cant breath i shake real bad..and for some reason any thoughts that could stress me out happen at that moment...sometimes it gets so bad it causes me to vomit im on medication but sometime it just dosent work....and i know the reason that causes this is because my husband is currently serving 15 months in iraq and hes infantry and thats a dangerous job.
does anyone else go through this && how do you handle this without medication?
2007-12-03 08:52:57 · 9 answers · asked by jessica g 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
www.midwestcenter.com
I also suffer from panic attacks and am on Lexapro to handle it. The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety is a wonderful program that will help you become less reliant on drugs and more confident in your ability to handle panic attacks.
When you do have a sudden panic attack, remember to tell yourself that it is "just anxiety," and the thoughts and feelings and symptoms you are currently feeling are not real. They seem very real at the moment the attack comes, but they are not real. Breathe deeply, and remember that the panic attacks cannot hurt you, and you will not lose your mind or go crazy or anything like that. The panic attacks will pass after a few moments. Whenever I feel a panic attack coming on, I just tell myself "ok, I am having a panic attack. This is just my body trying to cope with stress right now. I am ok and this will pass in a couple of minutes."
You are not alone in anxiety and I will be praying for you and your husband as he serves our nation. Good luck to you. Remember to check out the Midwest Center for stress and anxiety.
2007-12-03 09:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by upwinger1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anxiety/panic attacks are mind over matter. In other words, you can control the degree in which it affect you overall.
When you feel one coming on, simply ask yourself if what you are thinking at the time is rational in any way. Example; I am getting on a plane, I begin to have anxiety because my thoughts turn to the plane crashing and that turns into thoughts of me dieing in ball of flames, etc., etc. Well, before I get to the thoughts of burning up, I will catch myself and ask just how rational that is to be thinking this, not too much considering flying is safer than driving these days.
Also, you should be getting talk therapy with a counselor once a week. They can help give you tools to use to rationalize your thoughts and calm your nerves. You can do this...I did and overcame my anxiety/panic attacks.
2007-12-03 08:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually got a paper from the hospital before I knew that I had panic attacks that told how to slow your heart rate down(if that is also what happens to you). you are supposed to sit or lie down, take a deep breath and hold it for 5 seconds while clenching your stomach muscles. If it doesn't work the first time want a minute and try it again... it has been working for me for a few weeks. it will at least calm you down enough to breathe easier. Hope this helps
2007-12-03 09:27:51 · answer #3 · answered by ric_chica 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a terrible problem with panic attacks. I tried a lot of different things and the program at:
http://www.PanicBook.com
was by far the most helpful. I don't have panic attacks anymore, I owe a lot to the people that work with that program.
2007-12-04 01:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by R S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.
Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life
2016-05-17 12:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me too....I bookmarked those sites others mentioned. Until you can get the therapy you need (which I haven't had either)...ask your dr. if you can try half or a fourth mg. of risperdal. I also have PTSD. They're giving this to VietNam Veterans for PTSD. When I take it...I don't have panic attacks. But don't take a higher dose or you won't be able to function. Good Luck.!
2007-12-06 15:17:10 · answer #6 · answered by Deenie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I have been through something very similar with my mother. It's amazing how something
can tear apart your life like that. It hit her the hardest when I was getting ready
to move out of the house to my own apartment. She took pills for it, but they only got
her so far.
We tried several different things all ending in the same result. I'm not sure if there is
a way to completely get rid of it, but there are things that can help. I know that it
does run in the family. ONE of the things that helped her out a lot was a site we can across
online while searching for help. If you're interested follow the link below and best of luck
to you.
-Michael
Here is the site: http://www.anxiety-disorder1.blogspot.com
2007-12-03 11:10:10 · answer #7 · answered by christompson252 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychologist told me once to find a physical activity that really gets the heart racing ... maybe treadmill, etc... to teach your body (and your mind) that the racing heart and hard breathing won't make you die. Apparently, it's all about desensitizing yourself.
2007-12-03 09:00:17 · answer #8 · answered by smiday1097 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
what are you eating?
what exercise are you getting daily up to an hour a day?
what relaxation techniques are you practicing twice daily for 20 minutes each session.
(see my profile for more info)
2007-12-03 08:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by charlton_g_w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋