What is the best way to treat a panic attack?
83048
When I'm having a panic attack, I try my best to focus on other things. If it fails, I simply tell myself to walk away from the thing which is causing the attacks. It's better and simpler this way. Life is short, no use getting all panicky about it. You can try the following 10 tips:\n\n1. Don't try to please everyone. It's impossible, debilitating and very stressful. \n\n2. Stop living your life according to the beliefs, opinions and prejudgments of others. Its your life, not theirs. \n\n3. Create dependable friendships with people who can be counted on to support your effort to change, learn and grow. \n\n4. Try to make changes gradually. Doing so will help you to maintain a more positive outlook as you progress. Attempting to change too much too soon often leads to disappointment. \n\n5. Establish priorities that are consistent with your own values. \n\n6. Examine your beliefs and goals. Are they unrealistic or unattainable? \n\n7. Accent the positive and learn from the negative. \n\n8. Focus on the present. The past cannot be changed. The future hasn't arrived yet. That leaves you with now. Now is the time to create the future you desire. \n\n9. Are you a workaholic? If so, try to create a more balanced lifestyle. By so doing, you'll minimize a lot of stress too. \n\n10. Choose a goal that you can be proud to work toward and which enhances and maintains your self-respect.
269620
people with panic disorder can get "better" but unfortunately there is no cure for the disease... the key is to learn to deal with attacks with things like breathing and distracting yourself combined with finding out what things trigger your panic and working to either weaken their power to trigger anxiety or to minimize contact with them as much as possible without altering your lifestyle (the most important part is dont change your life to avoid the trigger, the reason is this leads to getting worse instead of better eventualy leading to house-bound agorophobia, and that's not a fun place to be)
176565
Depends.  If you have generalized anxiety...like just being worried all the time, therapy should help...and you won't need medication. \nIf you have what I have, which is anxiety disorder w/panic attacks...see a psyc who can give you meds in conjunction with therapy.  I've always been a worry wart...but over the past year I've had quite a few actual panic attacks...that are very scary when you first have them.  I can be sitting, doing absolutely nothing...not worrying about anything..and withing 5 mins be shaking, feel like I can't breath, lightheaded, dizzy, a absolutely terrified...for No reason.  That's a true panic attack.  Of course, stressful situations don't help...but usually I don't even have attacks in those situations.  At this point...I can feel when one is coming on, know I'm not dying, and pop 1/2 a xanax.  It's so helpful when you have the true attacks.  If I didn't have meds, I would sometimes pass out from the fear of the attack itself.  Get some help accordingly :)  Good luck!
356085
Also check on the possibility of it being an anxiety attack.\n\nGood Luck.
975741
to be diagnosed with panic disorder.  you should experience recurrent unexpected panic attacks which includes palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breaking, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself, fear of losing control, fear of dying, numbness or tingling sensation and chills or hot flushes.  You should satisfy 4 or more of these symptoms within 10 minutes.  then if positive, at least 1 of the attacks has been followed by 1 month or more of the ff: persistent concern about additional attacks and worry about its consequences.  Panic attacks should not be due to the effects of substances like medications or illegal drugs or not due to other mental disorder.  If you satisfy all these criteria, then you have to go to a psychiatrist so he can prescribe you a medication or provide you with therapy
158244
I had anxiety problems once in awhile and I just told a doctor. He gave me medication for any time the feeling accured. I also learned that when I had anxiety attacks, which wasnt often, to breathe in a paper bag for awhile. The carbon dioxide you breathe in, with less oxyagen in you system calms you down. Hope I helped you out. advise, see a doctor for sure.
921550
Go to your Dr.,he has medicine that can help with anxiety.
463977
First and foremost pray and then start looking for information to help you with anxiety attacks because the Bible says Seek and you WILL (not may) find .Believe me, having been through anxiety attacks I know how motivated you are to get help. I believe you will get help and I am on your side in the battle.\n\nIt is very important to do this with the guidance of a trained Psychologist or Psychiatrist but there are ways to cope with this problem without medication in many instances.\n\nOften panic attacks are the result of some kind of psychological trauma. In my case I almost died from a heart problem. Most of my life I have not had them but when I did they were doozies. You must guard against incompetent Medical people. In my case the Dr. prescribed enough of a drug in the same class as Valium (can't remember the name now) to sedate a horse. These drugs do not address the underlying problem although in some severe cases may be necessary. The benzodiazapenes such as Valium and Xanax are addictive. The only drug I take now is a drug that regulates the heartbeat.\n\nBe particularly careful about the Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Again in extreme cases they may be necessary and regardless always go with a Doctor's advice(just make sure they are competent). What I am stating is my own opinion derived from personal experience but it is well founded since I am well now and was at one point a basket case. I had a very bad experience with Zoloft, promptly quit and don't need it.\n\nHeres what I found:\n\nDon't laugh, but many times anxiety attacks are caused by hyperventilating. When you hyperventilate you are actually changing the chemical composition of the blood. It is a vicious spiral because the more you get anxious the more you hyperventilate which makes you more anxious ad infinitum. I am not talking about conciously hyperventilating but rather hyperventilation you are not necessarily aware of, basically improper and shallow breathing. A good site that explains it is http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/anxiety/christine/treatment_breathing_techniques.htm\n\nSometimes if you will slow the rate at which you breathe and breathe from your diaphragm, you can mitigate your anxiety. Babies breathe from their bellies, adults and sometimes even children breathe in a shallow manner not extending their bellies out as they take in a breath.  Due to the excessive levels of stress all around us we become desensitized and don't even realize how much we have been affected. I remember going out into the country and for awhile the extreme quiet got on my nerves until I got used to it and then what an incredible good feeling came over me.\n\nThere is another technique for dealing with the acute portions of an anxiety attack. There is a book by Dr. Claire Weekes called Hope and Help for your Nerves. She talks about the 4 stages (1 Facing 2)Accepting 3) Floating \n4) Letting time pass . I highly recommend that you purchase her book . For me, the facing part is acknowledgeing that even though you feel as if you will die and it is extremely uncomfortable , you will not likely die. The accepting part is just acknowledging that since you will not likely die you can accept your condition. This becomes easier as the severity of the attacks begin to lessen. 3) Floating for me was a process of stepping outside of myself and observing objectively what was going on 4) Letting time pass is facilitated by realizing that the attack will diminish over time . This realization allows you to become occupied doing something else. I am by no means  a trained Psychologist but the techniques worked for me and I am definitely well now and I think it is possible you will be too. \n\nOh and be sure to get a complete medical workup. Sometimes anxiety attacks are realted to a thyroid condition or mitral valve prolapse.
901415
I send my sympathy to your father passing away. I would try other options before going on medication. Medication should be used after you have exhausted all other options. You may be having problems with self esteem after gaining weight. You also may be having problem with panic because of a loss of security- your father. You should try therapy first for the panic attacks. Write a log..find out when they occur..what is triggering it. Why do you feel you cant leave the house- fear of people..depression? I understand your confusion. Start first by going to the gym...It will increase the endorphins in your body and make you feel good. Drink Camimile tea to relax you before you go to bed. Are you getting adequate sleep? \nYou should learn relaxation techniques to use if you have a panic attack episode. Deep breathing, progressive relaxation, relaxation tapes. You are afraid to start the job because you feel that you are going to fail. Start walking around your block every day to get over the fear of getting out of your house. Go out start the job. Get back on the horse. It will make you feel better to get out of the house. You should also start going to (church, temple..whatever your beliefs are) What ever you do get out of the house as much as you can.
109292
There are a few different ways to control panic attacks.  I'll give you a couple of short answers here, if you want more email me and I'll tell you more.  \n\nThe first is called box breathing.  It realeases calming chemicals in your brain.  You blow all of your air out and take a slow deep breath for 8 seconds.  You actually want to be sucking in the air for a full 8 seconds.  Then you hold it in for 8 seconds.  then you blow it out slowly, for 8 seconds.  Let it all out.  Repeat ten times or until you are calm.\n\nAnother way (my favorite) is to focus on things.  For instance your arm.  You would take your right hand and place it on your left arm and just feel your arm.  While you are still feeling your arm notice what your chair feels like under you, touch the chair, just to feel the solid.  Just keep feeling things around you.  What this does is takes you out of your head.  Panic attacks occur in your mind, so if you get out of your mind and focus on your physical surroundings the panic will pass.  You can focus on whatever you want as long as it is a physical thing.  The point is to get out of your head.  This can also be combined with deep breathing.\n\nOne last thought.  If you feel one starting to come on you could put on a movie that is funny or comedy central or something like that.  When you start watching your focus changes and laughing releases chemicals that will make stress go away.
585369
I suffer with bad panic attacks that get that bad i have to cut myself to stop them.\nThe best way to cope with a panic attack is to try to breath it off the best u can, and try to reassure yourself that everything will be ok. If you feel ok to walk try to walk it off and shake ur hands till you feel better.\nif non of these work then try to find a paper bag and use that method. Remember you are not going to die, it is just your bodies reaction to the fight or flight situation.
633245
well i suffer from agoraphobia with panic attack disorder i lived with this problem 10 years before going to the doctor but they put me on paxil and xanax for aniexty. if u have ful blown aniexty attacks u need to go to the doctor for some medications because eventually u will were urself down mentally trying to control them. i find it very helpful at least now i can live a pretty normal life again. good luck to u
774069
Christine, first you must know what is the root cause of your anxiety/panic attacks.   I agree with you that drugs will only mask the root cause and will not resolve the root cause that is still inside of you.    \n\nThere is what is know as "anticipatory", reaction to anxiety.   When you feel an anxiety attack coming on you must do everything in your power to not allow the cause of the anxiety to take over your entire body.  If this happens then you will have a full blown panic attack.   \n\nWhen you feel anxious or a panic attack coming on, your very first action is to try and think of someting beautlful, or do Yoga breathing exercise.. (Just breath through your nose, taking in as much air as you can hold).  Don't allow the the stomach muscles to force the air out.  You want to control the air by letting it out as slow as possible through your mouth.   \n\nPractice this Yoga breathing exercise at home, so that you will get in the habit of doing it right.  (Usualy two or three max., taking in all the air you can through your nose & letting it out very slow through your mouth will make you feel very relaxed.  \n\nI do it myself.  An it works 100%.    \n\nA phobia of any kind, requires behavior modification, reality therapy or hypnosis.  (If say you have been through therapy an it is obvious it did not work for you).   \n\nYou must be conditioning your mind, with your social phobia, becasue you say that is getting better.  (This means that you must be exposing yourself little by little with being around people.\n\nNow you will have to try and find out why your panic attacks are increasing.  As soon as you feel a panic attack coming on look around yourself, or think of what it is that is own your mind at that monent..  (Perhaps what is around you or what is on your mind at that given moment may be the cause of the panic attack).  \n\nThen if you find the cause, you will need to find an alternative solution to resolve the problem.  This is what I do for my patients.   I find out the root cause an I never tell them what they must do.  I provide them with many alternative solutions and they must pick which one is best for them.  If they ask me about the choice, I can tell them what is the light at the end of the tunnel.\n\nWish you all the best, as panic attacks are no fun.  Plus I am proud of you that you will not let any psychiatrist put you on a controlled substance like Aprazolam, Tafil or Xanax. (All the same drug).  Names depends on what country you reside in.\n\nClinical Psychiatrist, France\n\nExcuse my english
322054
You can try Rescue Remedy, but it probably will not be powerful enough to help a true panic attack.\n\nAlong with quality counseling/therapy, it is appropriate to have a quality nutritional assessment.  Many common nutrient deficiencies can affect the brain and can even cause increased levels of anxiety.  Deficiencies in nutrients are common in western civilization today.  Low levels of Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and B-vitamins can all be involved.  Deficiency in essential fatty acids (especially the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils) can also affect anxiety levels and brain function.\n\nA good clinician will also consider the possibility that your brain is being impacted by chemicals and other toxins in the environment (a condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome).  Heavy metal toxicities (lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic) have well documented damaging effects on brain function.  A variety of enviromental chemicals (VOCs- volatile organic compounds, PAHs - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,  Organophosphate or organochlorine pesticides, etc.) have proven harmful effects on brain function.\n\nAnother possibility is food intolerances and/or food allergies.  Again, a good clinician with training in nutrition can help you assess this issue.\n\nI would like to suggest a great book (with a dreadful title) that you may find helpful.  It is written by Sherry Rogers, M.D. and called: "Detoxify or Die".  She is a specialist in environmental medicine and nutritional problems that can affect brain function.\n\nThe book is available at Amazon.com and through the publisher at 1-800-846-6687.  I highly recommend it.\n\nBest wishes and good luck!
482468
I've had SAD for about 5 years. I take Effexor XR for it, but it doesn't really help me. I've tried Paxil CR and it didn't help either, so I'm glad your anxiety medicine works. When I am having an anxiety attack, I lock myself in the bathroom, sit on the toilet, put my head between my knees, and breathe. I just keep trying to do the breathing from yoga until my breathing slows down and becomes regular. I don't know what makes me better-being alone, sitting, head forward, or yoga breathing, but it helps me. Sometimes I can't be in a confined space though, so I go outside, to try and calm my breathing, by looking at the trees, listening to sounds, stuff like that. I mostly have problems when I'm really upset or when I am somewhere where there is a lot of people. When I feel anxiety coming on, I try to breathe slowly, remind myself that everything is fine, no one is looking at me or judging me or talking about me, and I clench and release my fist. Or I just leave the store. This helps me, hope it helps you, and answers your question.
1140818
Reduce intake of Refined Sugars!!, do not drink soda or beverages that have caffeine in them, do not eat more than you need, try to cut the chocolate.  Try meditation ( it does not work foe evryone), try colour therapy ( green usually cams down) , drink chamomille tea, valerian tea  ( helps alot ). And remember . YOU CAN NOT DIE FROM A PANIC ATTACK!\n\nIf that helps or even if it does not ...and you feel the need to talk to someone just e-mail me. I know how it feels to go through panic attacks i used to have them all the time but then using the tools i told you about and support from my family ( no medication) i got rid of them!\n\nI wish you luck and strenght!
817882
When I first started getting panic attacks I hyperventilated a lot. My counselor said the only thing that could happen is that I would pass out and start breathing again. That was BAD information. I should have been given medication to prevent attacks.\nYour doctor sounds like a quack, go see someone else.\nIt may take time to find the right medication for you, but you have to keep trying. When you find the right one, you will feel SO much BETTER. \n\nHere is a link for you, I've copied some here for you. Good luck.\n\nWhat Are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder?\n\nSymptoms of a panic attack, which often last about 10 minutes, include:\n\nDifficulty breathing. \nPounding heart or chest pain. \nIntense feeling of terror. \nSensation of choking or smothering.\nDizziness or feeling faint. \nTrembling or shaking. \nSweating\nNausea or stomachache.\nTingling or numbness in the fingers and toes. \nChills or hot flashes.\nA fear that you are losing control or are about to die.